sights & sounds

culture and heritage

demography

natural resource

social infrastructure

LOCALl MUSIC & Musical Instrumnets

Music is very important part the local society. In older time during the Mirdon the Berichu (people considered on lower class in state time) were entitled to play hareep (local music) during different celebrations and events. Music was very important part of Mir Darbar. Different tunes were played to different people and no other person from common families were allowed to dance on flutes reserved for Thum or people with high standings in Mir Darbar. There was special flutes for their sleeping rising, welcoming and coming to court. However, after abolition of state and modernization now every one play the local musical instruments.

Musical Instruments

1. Dadang: A bass drum beaten on one side with hand and on other side with a special stick.

2. Daamal: A pair of smaller kettle drums beaten with two sticks.

3. Suranai: A locally made horn.

4. Beside these  three main instrument different other musical instruments are used in Hunza valley during special events and now a days used with songs.. It includes:

5. Tutek:       A recorder like pipe or flute

6. Gabi:         A wooden or metal flute

7. Chardha:   A five string guitar like instrument

8. Sitaar:       A smaller, higher pitched five-string instrument

9. Jighini       A sitar like instrument played with a stick

Main kinds of Local Music

There are different kinds of hareep played during thamasha (festive programmes) and in older time most of them were reserved for specific person or families.

       Dani

The hareep are classified in three main groups:

1.   Maghlote Dani

The dani is related with the first ruler of Nagar state Maghlote.

 2.  Nazimkahani Dani

The dani is related with Mir Nazim Khan who ruled Hunza during 1892-1938.This dani  was played duringfestivals and the Mir danced on it.

3.  Mehtari Dani,

Mehthar is used for the ruler of Chitral so this dani is related with them.

4. Bapoe Dani/Thamu Dani: On such tunes the thum and his family member were only authorized to dance.

5. Boote Harip: This harip was played during happy occasions and the Nambardars were dancing on it.

6.  Ginani hareep: This music was played to welcome Ginani.

7. Gul Punuki: There were no restriction for any one to dance on this tune.

8. Uyanchimo harip: This was played when thum or Wazir was visiting any place or welcoming the bride to her husband/s house.

       Tajwar  

This type of music were used by the members of royal families during different festives. Some important tajwars are as below:

1.  Nownehal Shah

It is said that this music is originated from Chitral and later on Nownehal Shah: a person from royal family used this to dance during festives thus related on his name.

2.  Siq Mitara Tajwar

This tajwar is related with the members of Royal families of nagar. Later on Innayat,  the Nambardar of Ganish  used this to dance.

3.  Malane tajwar

This music is related to a famous Shina poet from Punial who used this music for dancing as well singing.

4.  Bulbul Shireen

This is a Persian style music related to the people of Gojal (Upper Hunza).

5.  Shereen Zaban

This is also a Persian style music and belongs to the upper Hunza.

6.  Foukowa Tajwar

This rhythm is originated from the Xinkiang  province of China and is commonly used during festives.

7.  Shah Buki

This is also Persian style music and is related to Central Asia.

       Bazmi       

Bazmi is a special type of tune and were mostly played during private parties of Mir. It is said that Mir Ghazan Khan was very found of parties and these music were played during such parties.

1.  Mehboob Ali Khan Bazmi

This is linked with the Raja Mehaboob Ali Khan of Yasin.

2.  Khush Begim

This is linked with the Mehtar of Chitral.

3.  Kiming Jangale

This is linked with the people of Shimshal and the  Wazirs  used to dance on this tune.

       Souse

A martial (harbi) tune and it has a fast rhythm and is used specially in sword (talwar) dances.

1.  Mane Nazro Souse:

Most of the time this tune is played during sword dances and is related to Baltit (Karimabad).

2.  Shero Souse:

This is linked with Kalash valley of Chitral. Shero was a person from Dorkhan who used this music to dance.

Some other famous music performed during different occasions are as below:

Ajoli: This tune is played during the departure of bride and groom from house.  This hareep is also divided into two typ; one playedfor Thamo (Mirs) and others for common people

Lolo:  Lolo is a tune depicting sadness and were commonly used to mourn a friend or a family member. It was also used for the separation of the loved ones.

Ashorjhan: This hareep is linked to Ladakh and having two different types; the Chashma-e- Awal and Ashorjhan/ghini ghata.