Our classical music based on Raga structures is almost dead in our society but it flourishes in our neighbourhood. In order to understand the situation one needs to look at it from a historical perspective.

In pre-Partition times in Punjab, bastion of classical tradition in the regions that now constitute Pakistan, there was a division between theory and practice; Punjabi Hindus especially Pundits were epitome of knowledge. They were well-versed in the knowledge of music as recorded and explained in the ‘books’ (shastras) coming from various ancient sources.

On the other hand, most of high caliber musicians/singers have been Muslims from the 10th century onward. Dr. Manzur Ejaz in his book on the cultural history of Punjab contends with cogent reasoning that the institution of musician families has its roots in the Vedic times in which a certain segment of Harappa musicians were assigned the task of singing and performing Vedic hymns. An insightful anecdote narrated by classical vocalist Chhote Ghulam Ali Khan, a cousin of Bade Ghulam Ali Khan (Kasur Gharana), hints at something similar. “One early evening in Kasur (his ancestral city) I went to see Bade Ghulam Ali who was glued to the outside wall of a room where Minu Khan (his son Munawar Ali Khan) was getting a music lesson from a pundit. He shushed me. We stood there for some time listening to Pundit’s lecture on a raga structure. When we quietly came to his room Gulam Ali said; “tell me honestly, do you or me or even our elders had this kind of knowledge of ragas? But whenever Pundit demonstrates a raga by singing it I feel like strangling him.”

Chhote Ghulam Ali Khan, a vigorous classical vocalist, wonderful conservationist and suave social being had many such stories to tell about the united Punjab’s music scene. In the aftermath of bloody Partition in 1947, all pundits had to leave their ancient homeland and the responsibility of imparting knowledge fell on the shoulders of musicians who though excellent practitioners were ill-prepared for the task.

Even after the Partition brain drain things weren’t as bad as they are now. Decline of music has been gradual. When late Hayat Ahmed Khan, a great music connoisseur and sponsor of music, along with some of his friends established the ‘All Pakistan Music Conference’ in 1959 and started its annual music festival in Lahore, it was a roaring success. People in flocks from all over the country would come to attend the event. Even paan sellers and kiosk owners would croon classical compositions to add colour to the ambiance and boost their sale. But gradually the taste for music was corrupted like other things in our newly-born state. Railways shrunk and tailors who could stitch a pair of good trousers disappeared, for example. Everything that came from the ancient past which was obviously non-Muslim was thrown in the bin as a result of wearing a newly-manufactured religious ideology on the sleeve. Same happened to the music. So much that a so-called music maven who happened to be director general of Radio Pakistan banned the singing of certain ragas bearing Hindu names such as Raga Durga. In his zeal to promote official ideology that promoted the erasure of culture and history, he tried to even change the names of classical ragas which fell through because of quiet resistance put up by the musicians.

After West Punjab was cleansed of Hindus and Sikhs in 1947, East Punjab met a similar fate. It was cleansed of Muslims. Ethnic cleansing on both sides of the border struck at the very roots of diversity making both the parts socially and culturally impoverished. The case of the western part was worse; forced migration of Hindus and Sikhs to India created fertile conditions for the imposition of exclusive ideology premised on a narrow notion of faith. Apart from other things visual arts, performing arts and music became its special victims. Pakistan Radio however tried its best to protect and promote classical music against all odds.

Pakistan Television (PTV) established in 1964 was initially music friendly. It patronised classical music by allocating it a prime time slot after 9pm news bulletin. In first few years it was telecast at 9:30. Then it was moved to 10 and from 10 it was moved to 10.30 and finally to 11. It has been a process of gradual decline. Finally a few years ago it was altogether dropped from the transmission schedule. Even in its heyday classical music wasn’t much cared for because of overall unfavourable conditions created by the rise of philistine attitudes.

A PTV’s programmes producer if allocated classical music programme would resent as if he/she was relegated in status. The programme administration didn’t care either. As a young PTV producer I invited inimitable Roshan Ara Begum from Lalamusa town for recording. She very kindly accepted my request and came to Lahore Centre. While having tea in my office she said: “Beta, (my son), I cannot record with PTV’s Tanpuras (accompanying stringed instruments which are traditionally played in the background when a classical vocalist/instrumentalist is in session and create semblance of harmony). They are ‘besura (discordant / disharmonious).” She said it softly but so firmly that it rattled me. Seeing my nervousness she said as if not to disappoint me; “Listen, Radio Pakistan Lahore station has a good pair of Tanpuras. If you can manage to get them, I would be happy to record. I shall not request them as I have boycotted the Radio”. Radio was our next door neighbour. I immediately rang Lahore station. Luckily, progrmmes manager took the call. He happily agreed to lend me the instruments with a request for Madam Roshan Ara not to be tough on the Radio Pakistan.

Classical music is in good health in India because in the changed conditions it has found new patrons in the new industrial and business classes while our old aristocracy has been replaced by nouveau riche who have nothing but contempt for finer things such as classical music. The ultimate refinement for them is to have mutton in lunch and dinner, play Qawwali and enjoy paan. Spitting paan noiselessly would be taken as a sign of being suave. — soofi01@hotmail.com

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2024