Qawwali, Music of punjab

Qawwali, Music of punjab

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Music is most popular thing in our societies nowadays. Everybody loves to listen music. There are many different genre of music like pop, jazz, classical, folk etc.

All of us are well aware with the term Qawwali. It is basically the Sufi devotional music which is much popular in Asian side. It is a part of traditional music that stretches back for almost 700 years. The word Sama is often still used which refers to be very similar to Qawwali, the formal name used for a session of Qawwali is Mehfil-e-Sama. Qawwal is the person who often repeats (sings) a Qawwali. It is originally performed at Sufi shrines and Darghas.

A group of Qawwali singers is known as Humnava. It consists of 8-9 members including a lead singer, 1 or 2 side singers and a few playing harmoniums sitting cross legged on the ground, at times Tabla and Dholak also. There is a chorus of 4-5 people who keep repeating the key verses. It is almost 15-20 minutes long.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is a legend and a famous name in Qawwal, because of him Qawwali received international exposure. Among the females Abida Parveen is on the top. But the thing is she does not perform them in the traditional Qawwali style. Some of his famous Qawwali’s are Haq Ali Ali, Shahbaaz Qalandar, Akhian udeek diyan, Sanson ki mala pe, Mera piya ghar aaya, Maki Madni, Nit khair manga, Mae ni mae. Some other famous Qawwals are Sabri Brothers, Aziz Miyan’.

Qawwalis are categorized by their content:

1. Hamd
2. Naat
3. Manqabat
4. Marsiya
5. Ghazal
6. Munajaat

Dhol , Musical Instrument of Punjab

Dhol , Musical Instrument of Punjab

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Dhol is a traditional instrument mostly played in Punjab. It is different from drums. The structure of Dhol is like a hollow drum, The drum consists of a wooden barrel with animal hide or synthetic skin stretched over its both open ends, which cover them completely. These skins can be stretched or loosened with a tightening mechanism, using nuts and bolts. The pitch of drum can be set by tightening and losing it. The stretched skin on one of the ends is thicker and produces a deep, low frequency (higher bass) sound and the other thinner one produces a higher frequency sound.  Nowadays drums with synthetic, or plastic, treble skins are commonly used.

It is a double-sided barrel drum played mostly as an accompanying instrument in regional music forms. The Dhol is played using one or two wooden sticks, usually made out of Bamboo and Cane wood. The stick used to play the bass side of the instrument is known as the Dagga in Punjabi, which is thick and is bent in a quarter-circular arc on the end that strikes the Dhol. The other stick is known as Tihli which is much thinner and flexible than the other and used to play the higher note end of the instrument.  In Qawali, the Dhol used is of smaller size and known as Tabla.

Nowadays Dhols are very common in marriage ceremonies. Specifically on Mehndi and Barat. Dhols are played and people express their feelings of joy by dancing on Dhol beats. It is also played on many occasions in village areas. In Punjab areas Dhol remains bulky to make large bass. Bhangara is mostly done on Dhol beats.

Dhol is also played on shrines of saints on Thursday or on their annual Uras or Meyla. Sufi Dhol is the most commonly type Dhol beat which is played on shrines. Some times Dhol player do a roll with beating the Dhol.

Bhangara, A punjabi Dance

Bhangara, A punjabi Dance

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People express their feelings in many different ways. Crying is the sign of sorrow and similarly many express their joy through smile and laugh. But dance is also a very common way of expressing joy and success at times. In Punjab there are many dance styles namely, Luddi, Jhummar, Dhamaal, and Gham Luddi. Bhangara is very common dance style. It was originated from Majha area Punjab and is a type of popular music combining Punjabi folk traditions with Western pop music. Traditional Bhangra is performed in a circle, and is performed using traditional dance steps. The Dhol is played according to local beats and folk songs are sung. This Bhangra is also performed on occasions nowadays especially on wedding ceremonies particularly on Barat. Even though there are special dresses for this Bhangra also for men and women both, men mostly wear turban, Kurta, Tehmat (loose loincloth tied around the dancer’s waist) and decorated waistcoats and women wear baggy pants tight at the ankle (Shalwar) and a long colorful shirt (Kameez). Women also wear Dupattas, colorful pieces of cloth wrapped around the neck. These vibrant colors depict the rich rural colors of Punjabi culture.

Rasm-e-Hina, an event before marriage

Rasm-e-Hina, an event before marriage

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“RASM-E-HEENA” is also known as the ‘heena ceremony’ or ‘Mehndi’. This event usually takes place one or two days before the main wedding day. This traditional event is usually held separately for bride and groom. The heena or mehndi is placed on couple’s hand. The bride's friends, cousins and family bring along sweets and henna for the groom, and the groom's family does the same for the bride. groom and bride does not take part in each other’s event and stay at home. Girls usually wear traditional dresses like shalwar kameez, lehngay, gharary of green or yellow color and boys wear shalwar kameez along with green small dupattas. The bride also wears the traditional mehndi dress of green, yellow or orange color with light make up and jewelry made of flowers. Whereas groom wears a casual shalwar kameez  The bride or the groom are brought forward in the ceremony under a decorative dupatta by their close relatives. In the bridal ceremony, the bride’s family or friends apply henna to her hands, and feed her sweets. This event is also known as ‘TAEL MEHNDI’ because female guests put some oil in groom’s and bride’s hair.
Music and dance performances are also very common these days on this event. Young girls also sing some traditional songs. Nowadays male and female both participate in this event.

Kikli Kleer Di, A traditional Dance of Punjabi Girls

Kikli Kleer Di, A traditional Dance of Punjabi Girls

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Kiki Kaleer Di is a traditional Punjabi Dancing Game for young girls. Basically in this dance two girls came forward and the accompanying girls cheer them up with passionate song while clapping. The two participants stood face to face and place their feet close to each other’s and their bodies inclined back and stretch their arms while arching the backs to the extreme limit and keep spinning round and round. Meanwhile they sing this song Kikli Kaleer Di, Pag Meray Veer Di. The word Kaleer means girl, Pag means turban and Veer means brother as a whole it means Kikli is a dance for girls and turban is for brother. This song also has a traditional and catchy music base. The girls are dressed up in colorful Punjabi dresses and while they are whirling around their Dupattas are flickering. This dance is traditionally significant in Punjab, where they display their joy and celebrations.