folk music of pakistan

Folk music of any country shows the culture,customs and express the feelings and emotions of people.Folk music is also a source to observe the traditions of a country. Pakistan's all four provinces are rich in culture. They all have their particular way of living, different languages and values.Similarly they all have their own music style and have melodious folk songs in their sweet languages. Pakistan folk music includes Balochi,Pashto. Punjabi and Sindhi traditional forms.
Punjab have folk songs on almost every occasion like birth, seperation, love, merraige and for festivals and for folk romance for e.g HEER and MIRZA. Punjabi folk song describes the life of people.The punjabi folk music have usually soft tunes besides bhangra which is a modern form of punjabi folk.They use instrument like dholak, flute and dhol. Arif lohar is the famous folk singer pf Punjab. His songs like "Alif Allah" and "Chambey di booti" are treats for a folk music lover. 

-Punjabi music

Balochi music has a vast musical culture that includes many different forms of music. commanly used instrument in balochi music are tambura, sarod and benju.They have songs for all occasion except for death.Akhtar channal zahri is the world renowned folk singer of balochistan. He is famous for his song "dana pa dana" which is a mega hit folk song. Another worldwide famous singer of balochi folk is shazia khushk she is an icon and represent ancient style of music. She actually made the Akhta zahri's song dana pa dana famous which describe the greatness of the mountain, land and people of balochistan. 

-Akhtar channal zahri

Pushto folk music have many different genres including Tappa, Nemkai and badla etc. Tappa is the most older form of folk music and it express the feelings of humans.The music is commanly found in tribal areas. In the modern period Gul panra and Rahim shah is the most popular singer of pushto. He sung many songs in this language and his songs are very famous among pakhtun people as well as in whole country.The form of ghazal in pashto is Rubayi and the rubayis of rehman baba  is famous among masses, He is the most famous poet of pashto. The folk music is very pleasant and Rubab is mostly used in songs. Its folk music describes beauty, bravery, romantic feeling and heroic deeds etc. 

-RUBAB instrument of pashto folk song.

The folk music of province sindh is sung in Sindhi language. It has two forms 'waee' and 'baits' and the music is must performed in one these two forms. Abida perveen and Allan Fakir are the well known singers of Sindh and the instrument used in sindhi folk music are naghara, and iktara which is called yaktaro in sindhi.

-Sindhi folk music.

The variation of music shows that Pakistan is a beautifull and melodious country which is full of colorful culture and traditions.We must remember our these tradition and values as they are our identity.












PHOTO COURTESY: GOOGLE

Pop/Rock Music

Pop/rock is a popular music form in Pakistani music. People of Pakistan attract towards these form of music because Pakistani pop is an amazing mixture of jazz, rock and roll and disco song. Pakistani music industry has grown to a terrific extent. Pakistan pop/rock music is nearly famous in all neighboring countries. Our pop artists are working for neighbor country and take love and appreciation. Their talent not only recognized by Pakistanis but the people of other countries also admire their melodious tones.

Pakistani pop music history starts with a famous Ahmad Rushdie's song "ko ko korina" that is loved and remembered by the people till date.we have legends in pop music like Hassan siblings,Benjamin sisters and Alamgir had given new dimension to pop music.later,the bands like vital sign, jal, string, Noorie and junoon spread our music to neighboring south Asia countries and they raised the "flag" of pop/rock music even more high.The hit song "Dil Dil Pakistan" by vital sign was voted the 3rd most popular song in the world by BBC poll.youngsters of Pakistan even of south Asia has accepted pakistani pop music with affection.The singers have worldwide fan following and their songs have been listened in every corner of the world.The new female singers like Annie, QB and komal rizvi kept the music alive.Today atif aslam and ali zafar are the heartthrobs of nation and who can forget the great Ali Azmat who is the popular rock music singer.

-Ali azmat performing in a concert.

We have now music channels also like ary music, oxygene, 9xm etc they shows pakistani music that is projecting the talent and efforts of our singer who works hard for the revival of Pakistani music industry and entertain us.Recently, cornetto pop rock music concert had held in karachi that is a series of concerts launched that will take place once in a year in karachi,lahore and islamabad. This series is specially for youngsters and college going students.The concept behind this platform is to revive the pop and rock music among the youth.I think this a good step that provides a platform to the youth of Pakistan and hidden talent.

                                       -Noorie at pop rock concert.

-Picture of cornetto concert.

PHOTO AND VIDEO COURTESY: SHAMSA KHAN.

Sufi Music-Food for the soul.

"Sufi" in all form of music is the most peaceful and expresses the emotion of a person. As its name indicates Sufi music is related to Sufism and is the devotional music of Sufis,Inspired by the works of famous Sufi poets like Amir khusro, Rumi, Bulleh shah and Khuwaja ghulam farid. Sufism is a way of living,any person who has a knowledge of both inner and outer self and devote his life to his maker. Who has love for his creator and shows his love and affection through music.Sufi music will take you to another world since,Sufi music connects you with divine that is why its the music of the soul.Sufi music and lyrics shows the pain of separation from the creator,praises him in the most beautifull manner and it makes you forget your physical realm and put you in the state of physical ecstasy. 

The beauty of the heart
is the lasting beauty,
its lips give to drink
of the water of life.
Truly it is the water,
that which pours,
and the one who drinks.
All three become one,
when your talisman is shattered.
That oneness you can't know 
by reasoning.
           -BY RUMI
In Pakistan, Qawwali is the most well known form of Sufi music. The lyrics of Qawwali is a mystical poetry in words of different languages usually in Urdu, Hindi and Farsi etc. The music of Qawwali fulfills a religious function and its mystical poetry and meaningful lyrics capture the soul of listener that is why its the "food for the soul".
Nusrat fateh Ali khan and Abida perveen are the famous and the most recognized sufi singers. Nusrat fateh Ali khaN is the one who took the Qawwali out of the country and spread it in the world. He has that magic and spirituality in his voice and his vocals are so strong that he charged the audience with positivity and vitality. He was a voice of faith in Sufi music.In his songs he talk about love for creator, preaches peace and tolrence.

-The legendary Nusrat fateh ali khan.

Abida perveen another pakistani sufi singer considered the finest sufi vocalist in the modern era and one of the brilliant and foremost exponents of sufi music.She is famous for her kaafi style of Sufi music and for her lively concerts in which her strong vocals and text mesmerize the audience.The work of Nusrat sahab and Abida perveen considered as the finest Sufi collection and their talent and dedication for music made Every Pakistani proud.

-Sufi kalam by Abida perveen.