Lok Virsa launches programme on dying musical instruments

Islamabad: The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) on Friday launched the ‘Premier of Saaz Kahani: The story of dying musical instruments’ with the grant musical performance by classical, Sufi and folk singer Wahdat Rameez: a soul-stirring voice of Pakpattan.

Saaz Kahani is a programme on dying musical instruments, consisting of six episodes dedicated to exploring a unique instrument from diverse region of Pakistan. Wahdat Rameez started his performance with famous songs like ‘Way lagiyaan di laj rakh laen’, ‘Main chaman main khush nahi hoon’ and ‘Baju band khul khul jaye.’

During that performance, Wahdat Rameez was accompanied by Zohaib Hassan on the ‘sarangi’, Salman Adil on the flute, Amir on the ‘tabla’ and Ghulab Afridi on the ‘rubab’.

Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr Fouzia Saeed, foreign diplomats, senior officials of Lok Virsa and a large number of music lovers attended the primer of ‘Saaz Kahani’ at Lok Virsa media centre.

Dr Fouzia Saeed said the utmost aim of initiating this series of programme is not only to preserve the endangered musical instruments but also to create a sense of realisation among our new generation about the importance of such dying musical instruments.

Moreover, it hopes to provide continuity to talent to unearth the next generation of music maestros all the while engaging and educating the current generation about the country’s rich culture and traditions, ED Lok Virsa expressed.

Renowned TV Host and Media icon Tauseeq Haider hosted the musical evening held at jam packed Media Centre of Lok Virsa. Zohaib Hassan performed a solo performance with the help of the rhythmical instrument which a rich tone, enthralling everyone.

Zohaib Hassan, who has been professionally playing the instrument for 10 years, is one of the very few ‘sarangi’ players left in the country. Hailing from the traditional family of classical musicians – which includes the likes of Ustad Hussain Buksh Amritsari, Ustad Natthu Khan and Ustad Peeru Khan – Hassan feels that the lack of exposure and awareness is killing the instrument for good.

Renowned music and film director Khawaja Najmul Hassan proposes that the first goal be to develop an interest for musical instruments through more live solo performances. Wahdat Rameez while speaking on the occasion said, the popularity of classical instruments is declining in Pakistan and as a result, talented musicians and craftsmen who make the instruments are feeling abandoned.

The diplomats who attended the musical evening said they were thrilled to be a part of a cultural experience and highly appreciated the efforts of Lok Virsa in preserving and documenting the rich cultural heritage of country.