PESHAWAR: Noted amateur artist Arbab Fazle Rauf, a banker by profession, has said that music is a transformative agent and should be given a chance to exercise its magical impact on the audience and counter militants’ war narrative.

Born with a flair for music into an aristocratic family of Tehkal, Peshawar, Mr Rauf used to take part in music competitions during his school days and despite family resistance, he made his way to radio, TV, stage and even public appearance.

Years ago, the amateur artist opened a private studio at his residence on Warsak Road where hardly a day went when hadn’t entertained his friends, relatives and music buffs.

He said that music being the best healer should be used as a medium to transform the disgruntled youth, who had been finding no solace in any activity and had been under the grip of violent social media.

“It is a kind of modern hujra where studio facilities are available where friends, relatives, family members and at times music lovers get to gather to spend a few moments. I believe music can bring about a transformative change in one’s behaviour,” he said.

Arbab Fazle Rauf says music has transformative impact on audience

Mr Rauf said that he had drawn inspiration from his uncle late Arbab Irshad Khan, who had been a great music lover while great ghazal maestros Khayal Mohammad, Mehdi Hasan and Jagjt Singh were his role model.

He told this scribe when he became conscious of his inborn talent, he planned to launch a Pashto album ‘Saski’ way back in 2000 for a charity purpose and it followed a few other albums. He found time between his job and strong passion and earned a widespread popularity for his velvety voice and best selection of both Pashto and Urdu ghazals.

“I was the first folk singer to have recorded a Pashto song in a local music studio in sequential music in early 90s. I advise the budding singers to learn basics of music. I have learnt, banjo, harmonium and a few other instruments but I learnt the intricacies of music from my mentor master Iftikhar, an expert on folk music and employee of Radio Peshawar,” said the artist.

He said that he had the talent to sing classical, semi-classical, light ghazal and folk songs and also loved modern music genres. He said that he took early retirement three years ago to serve the cause of Pashto music for no commercial purpose but only to revive the old hujra tradition where Tanktakor (music) used to be norm of the day.

The artist recalled that even school, college and university would conduct literary and cultural events and it would motivate the young students. He regretted that music and musicians still had little respect among a typical Pakhtun society.

“Music has charm and a great healing power. The government should launch a national music fair in the month of March every year in which students should display their local dances and songs. It would trigger a spirit for national integration and inculcate mutual respect,” said Mr Rauf.

Talking about the new experiences in music, he stated that modernity should not be adopted at the cost of losing cultural identity and original taste. He said that peace through music should be the theme of the academic circles.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2019