Ashurjaan, Luk zhur, Naan Doshi, Nano Begal...The Folk Songs of Chitral

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.

Baba Siyar the famous poet

“A true lover feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble, attempts what is beyond his strength and believes in no excuses of impossibility.”

 Mirza Muhammad Siyar, also known as Baba Siyar, was one of the most famous local poet, musician, and a true lover who also has written many Sufi (spiritual love for God) poetries. He wanted to keep his love true and free of all human desires, and therefore choose for himself everlasting separation. Yorman Hamin is the song composed by Venerated lover and poet of khowar (Chitral).

Siyar belong to Shogram and his beloved lived in Reshun. Yorman Hamin is the most popular folk song. Every one young and old, man and women, artist and singer even scholar and pious man knows its verses.

This song was composed by Baba Siyar a Chitrali Poet and mystic and is known as” Yorman Hamin”

I roam on the high mountains as if I trod on hot aches.

The sword of love has stricken me; I made of myself a shield of two bones

Oh Yorman Hamin !oh fairy I swear by God after seeing you there is no light, night and day are alike dark to me, no dawn comes to me.

Oh Yorman Hamin! The curls of my bulbul are like rosebuds and maiden hairs fern, come sit by me and sing like a mynah or a bulbul.

Oh Yorman Hamin! Still I look at you; you turn away and look elsewhere, my life is yours, why do look at my enemies?

Oh Yorman Hamin! Long ringlets and your well curled hair are like bedmushk you bind up your locks to stay this lad.

Oh Yorman Hamin! I sigh day and night for the bulbul; I kiss your pearly ringlets in my dreams.

Translated by Colonel John biddulph in 1876.