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| Asad performance on ‘sarod’ draws applause |
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Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Ishrat Hyatt
Islamabad
While the Asian Study Group (ASG) organises many programmes each month for its members, it usually has one special one and this time it was a concert featuring Asad Qizilbash on the ‘sarod’.
The event was held at the residence of the patron of ASG, Swiss Ambassador Marcus Peter and his wife Christina, and was a ‘house full’ according to the limited seating available since it was an indoor function. A small stage had been set up at one end of the large room with palm trees as a backdrop, lending a good visual perspective which is very conducive to the atmosphere when you are listening to music in a recital setting.
Before the programme began, the host welcomed the members and said it was a pleasure to host the event and they would try to arrange more occasions that would showcase Pakistani artistes, then invited them to stay on for the reception after the show.
ASG President Parvin Malik thanked the ambassador and his wife for opening up their house in these times when barricades were going up all over Islamabad, as well as appreciating the fact that they were promoting Pakistani music. She concluded by introducing the performers and hoping everyone would enjoy the evening.
Asad Qizilbash is the only classical ‘sarod’ player in Pakistan and he has performed in many concerts at home and abroad. He is the ‘ganda bandh shagird’ (student) of the great Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and belongs to Gwalior Gharana. He was accompanied by the seasoned ‘tabla’ maestro, Mohammed Ajmal, who needs no introduction to the classical music lovers of the capital.
Before he began to play Asad explained the mechanics of the ‘sarod’, which is a stringed musical instrument, used mainly in classical music of the subcontinent. It is known for a deep, weighty, introspective sound (contrast with the sweet, overtone-rich texture of the sitar) with sympathetic strings that give it a resonant, reverberant quality. It is a fretless instrument able to produce the continuous slides between notes known as ‘meend’ (glissandi), which are very important to subcontinent music.
The first recital was a dedication to the persons who have been affected by the bomb blasts - IDP’s; family members and citizens in general — raaga — ‘zila kafi’ a beautiful piece of music which drew heartfelt applause. This was followed by the raaga ‘malkauns’ which is popular among those who listen to this genre of music. The medley of ragas which came next — ‘khamaaj’, ‘kalavati’, ‘durga’ — were well put together in continuous rhythm and the melodious recital came to an end with raag ‘bhairveen’.
It goes without saying that the applause which followed was well deserved.
Reception time provided members the opportunity to discuss the music, talk to the performers and to thank the hosts for their generous gesture in hosting the event. In this spirit lets hope the end of the year event, which was cancelled last year, will also take place with the same resolve of not buckling under to threats from unsavoury elements!
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ISSN 1563-9479 
