LAHORE: Music has a universal language and all those who can express themselves through music are part of that one big ‘music cloud’ that connects to the globe. In Lahore, we have a very talented music composer who is doing a great job by writing basics of music in the shape of a book for the beginners.

Having a Masters Degree in Political Science from (then) Government College Lahore in 1993 and doing graduation in music from University of Punjab in 1994, Abdul Rauf is eager to pass his knowledge to the younger generation interested in learning the art form and its sensibilities.

Rauf has been teaching music at Kinnaird College University, Lahore, for the last one decade. He has also been teaching music for a decade at Alhamra. Having such a rich background based on the vast and much praised tradition of classical music, he wants to come up such with writings on music that should be beneficial for the beginners.

“I am writing this book for the convenience of younger lot who is interested in learning music seriously. The book will have basic information about ragas and other disciplines of music. However, it will also cover the syllabus for FA and BA music courses”, said Rauf, adding he would also record an audio CD based on the book material he is writing currently”.

Himself a student of famous composer Ustad Saleem Hussain to whose credit are a number of popular melodies such as Piya Nahi Aaye, Chanda Tori Chandni Say, Dil Kay Afsanay and Desaan Da Raja, Rauf’s students have made a pretty good space in the field. His most talented student is Sara Raza Khan, a prominent young singer, popular with television viewers. Among his other remarkable students one can mention Saira Tahir and Mugheera Ahmed who are performing in different private channels’ shows.

Rauf is also working on another project for “popularising music in its real sense among the youngsters”. “I am struggling with this idea, and I hope I can do it with little financial support by the government or some private sponsor,” he said.

Under the project, he wants to audition young talent from all over Punjab and select 20 budding singers to teach them A to Z of music. Later, he would record and launch their albums from his recording studio located in DHA.

“In the last two decades, I have taught music to a number of young people and of them those who have clicked and those who are struggling, will, I hope hugely contribute to the cause of music. Good music always finds the ears to enjoy it and get pleasure from it because the language of music is universal,” Rauf said.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2016