PASHTO'S SUFI ROCK MUSIC

Reviving Sufi Music : Musician fuses rock music with traditional verses to spread message of peace and tolerance.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, contributed immensely to Sufi music -Amir Khusro inventing many of the instruments used and poets providing the verses, there has been shrinking interest in the format in recent years.

However, one Pashto musician has sought to revive interest in the music, using the elements from legendary Pashto poets with a modern rock twist in his latest musical release.

''In all Pashto poetry, there are more elements of  Sufism than in any other language.'' says musician Ali Baba Khan while speaking to The Express Tribune.

He believes that Sufism is the main element of Pashto poetry and should be given a clear loud voice.

''From classical Pashto poets to Hamza Baba or Abdul Ghani Khan, Pashto poetry is more focused on Sufism than romanticism [as explored by poets in other langauges], Ali says.

Noting that he was inspired by the poetry of legendary Pasto poet Ghani Khan, Ali said that he started delving into Sufi Rock Music.

His first event music video -Tasswar- was a song which was a fusion Ghani's verses and Qawwali.

The experiment had earned him plaudits from the public and spurred him to debble in other similar experiments.

''It was the first time that I blended Ghani Khan's poetry into Sufi tunes,'' the artist disclosed.

The song also opened a door for him perform at an international Sufi concert in Kabul when Pashtun immigrants from the UK, US, Germany and Gulf-States appreciated his unique style.

Rehman Baba and Pashtun identity L Ali does not confine himself to one poet, In video of one of his recent songs, Ali said he paid tribute to seventeenth century pashto poet Rehman Baba.

The young musician believes that poetry of Rehman Baba, a true Pashtun cultural icon, should be used as a symbol of peace and identity in the world.

The World Students Society thanks researcher and writer  Hidayat Khan for this wonderful insight and knowledge.