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Peshawar and an instrument called rabab

Dawn.com Published May 12, 2011
Mushtaq Hussain, 45, crafting a rabab in his workshop.
Mushtaq Hussain, 45, crafting a rabab in his workshop.
Mushtaq Hussain, 45, crafting a rabab in his workshop.
Mushtaq Hussain, 45, crafting a rabab in his workshop.
Mushtaq Hussain's grandfather migrated from Afghanistan and introduced the lute-like instrument in Pakistan. According to Mushtaq, he was given an award by then Pakistani President, Ghulam Ishaq Khan, for his work. In the background is a photo of his grandfather receiving the award as well as a collage of photos of Mushtaq as a rabab player.
Mushtaq Hussain's grandfather migrated from Afghanistan and introduced the lute-like instrument in Pakistan. According to Mushtaq, he was given an award by then Pakistani President, Ghulam Ishaq Khan, for his work. In the background is a photo of his grandfather receiving the award as well as a collage of photos of Mushtaq as a rabab player.
Khurram Shahzad, 23, drills a hole in a rabab he is making. He is Mushtaq Hussain's nephew and his shop is located off the main street.
Khurram Shahzad, 23, drills a hole in a rabab he is making. He is Mushtaq Hussain's nephew and his shop is located off the main street.
A rabab manufacturer and budding rabab musician, Khurram Shahzad takes a moment to talk while crafting a rabab.
A rabab manufacturer and budding rabab musician, Khurram Shahzad takes a moment to talk while crafting a rabab.
A framed pencil sketch of Samandar Khan, the great great grandfather of Mushtaq Hussain, who used to manufacture rababs during the era of Abdur Rehman Khan, when the former was the emir of Afghanistan (1880-1901).
A framed pencil sketch of Samandar Khan, the great great grandfather of Mushtaq Hussain, who used to manufacture rababs during the era of Abdur Rehman Khan, when the former was the emir of Afghanistan (1880-1901).
Khurram Shahzad poses with a rabab he is making in front of his ancestor, Samandar Khan's portrait.
Khurram Shahzad poses with a rabab he is making in front of his ancestor, Samandar Khan's portrait.
Murtaza Rahim Baksh, a tabla player and manufacturer, stands alongside a portrait of his father, Ustad Rahim Baksh.
Murtaza Rahim Baksh, a tabla player and manufacturer, stands alongside a portrait of his father, Ustad Rahim Baksh.
A sign welcoming people to Khyber Agency right beside the Barra market in Peshawar - FATA officially begins once you cross it.
A sign welcoming people to Khyber Agency right beside the Barra market in Peshawar - FATA officially begins once you cross it.
Take your pick: an assortment of number plates up for sale for anyone interested in attaching one to his/her car.
Take your pick: an assortment of number plates up for sale for anyone interested in attaching one to his/her car.
Children strike a pose for the camera.
Children strike a pose for the camera.
A child with a solemn expression pauses for the camera while accompanying other children in the marketplace.
A child with a solemn expression pauses for the camera while accompanying other children in the marketplace.
A man selling Chitrali caps in the marketplace invites curious looks from those on the street.
A man selling Chitrali caps in the marketplace invites curious looks from those on the street.
A man selling Chitrali caps in the marketplace invites curious looks from those on the street.
A man selling Chitrali caps in the marketplace invites curious looks from those on the street.
Men in the marketplace in old city Peshawar.
Men in the marketplace in old city Peshawar.
Journalist from Italy, Vivianna Mazza, in conversation with the Chitrali cap seller. Vivianna is accompanied by Yasir Khan, a musician from the band, Yasir and Jawad.
Journalist from Italy, Vivianna Mazza, in conversation with the Chitrali cap seller. Vivianna is accompanied by Yasir Khan, a musician from the band, Yasir and Jawad.

This is the story of music and life in old city Peshawar, Pakistan. – Photos and captions by Madeeha Syed/Dawn Newspaper.

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Comments (2) Closed
imran qaiser
May 13, 2011 07:12am
I fell in love with rabab, the first time i heard it in one of the Junaid kamshed's song" Aankhon ko Aankhon nay job sapna dikhaya hai" . Its amazing. One of my friend told me that he & his friends onced listened to rabab on a cold night aorund a bon fire on a trip to NWFP played by a local guy. It was mesmerising. Wish i could have a chance to learn to play it..
Recommend 0
Anna - a reader abro
May 14, 2011 12:45am
Thank you for this "tour" in the old town, Peshawar. Good to see also glimpses of ordinary life, and smiles, after all the sad news from Pakistan.
Recommend 0

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