Every language is associated with
unique style of folk songs, music and rhythm. Khowar as any other language has
many type of folk songs, music and district rhyme. The term Hang from the Persian
a hang is used in Khowar to refer to both melody and rhythm. During recent
years, there is a trend towards borrowing from Urdu and Pashto composition.
Khowar songs are divided into two
main categories, those with short lines and those with long lines. These are
termed as Dani and Suaz. Songs consisting of long lines are called Dani and
those consisting of short lines are called Sauz. The Dani style is believed to
be older than Sauz.
You may be wonder why I am
discussing Khowar song and music. I do think that our new generation is totally
unaware of the mother tongue khowar today. Its alarming situation for the
people of Chitral. Let’s join hands together for this cause.
I am sharing some famous Khowar
songs with you .So here are some descriptions of few Khowar songs, which I
explain in order to throw light on the traditional heritage of Khowar music.
ASHURJAAN
The Ashurjaan is one of the oldest
styles of song in Khowar. It is rather like an archaic type of Azad nazam in Urdu
tradition a free verse is in English tradition. It is considered to be one of
classical type of Dani mode. It is some time said that most of Ashurjaan have
been contributed by women. As the Ashurjaan is sung in a dialogue form, it is
said that these were created by mother or daughter, lover and beloved. The
Ashurjaan can be sung and its tune can be played on musical instrument in three
different style of Dani. However its tune cannot be used for a dance as a whole
its lines are longer than those of other Khowar songs.
Luk Zhur
Luk Zhur is also a folk song.
According to musician Asfar Khan, Luk and Buluk were two sisters in Chinar
Mastuj. Luk died on the day of her wedding and Buluk was wedded in her place
the mother of Luk sang this song in the memory of her deceased daughter. The
song is still sung on the occasion of the wedding of daughters at the time when
the bride is being seen off by her relatives.
NAAN DOSHI
Another folk song of Khowar is
Naan Doshi. The song has a story similar to that of Luk Zhur. Dochi and Naan
Doshi were two sisters who lived in Brok Laspur. Naan Doshi died on the night
of her wedding and Doshi was wedded to the bride groom in her sister’s place. The
mother of Naan Doshi composed this song in her memory. This song has a
traditional tune and it is sung at wedding ceremonies
NAANO BEGAL
It is a tragic song and is
associated with a melancholy tune. The folk song is attributed to a mother
whose only son, Begal was killed by the order of tyrannical ruler of Chitral.
Begal came from Shoghor, he was excellent polo player and often defeated the
ruler of polo match in Chitral. This displeased the ruler and he ordered that
Begal to be killed, on the day of Begal tragic murder when she heard of her son
death, his mother rode out on his horse impersonation her son and played a
heroic polo match , defeating the ruler. After winning the match the old lady
took off her head dress and said to the ruler, if an women can play as well as
Begal and defeat you , ‘why did you have my son killed ?’ After disclosing her
identity she sang a beautiful song in praise of her assassinated son. This song
is known as Nano Begal.
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