The classical singer duo Ustad Badaruz Zaman and Ustad Qamaruz Zaman on Saturday and Sunday spellbound classical music lovers from the twin cities at Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) to promote the heritage of classical music that is a slowly declining musical genre, and losing popularity especially with the modern youth.
The duo presented in the live concert classical compositions of Khayal as well as Thumri and Dadra compositions. Brothers Ustad Badaruz Zaman and Ustad Qamaruz Zaman have recently been awarded the Pride of Performance for their services in promoting classical music. Ustad Badaruz Zaman was associated with the research cell of Radio Pakistan, Lahore for many years and has authored many books on classical music.
They were accompanied by Khawar Hussain on the sarangi and Wajid Ali on the tabla. For centuries, music has more or less remained the exclusive domain of professional gharana musicians, who have made immeasurable contributions to the flowering, refinement, promotion and preservation of this delicate art. However, occasionally, a few non-professional (not from gharaanas) classical musicians and composers also appeared on the melodic firmament of the Subcontinent, whose prowess was equal, if not better, to the skill of professional musicians.
In the classical vocal category, several names of Lahore-based non-gharaana melodists comes to one’s mind, who are still remembered with a touch of reverence by music lovers for the high standards in music they set when they practiced the art. The duo’s performance at the RAC provided one shining example of non-professional practitioners of the melodic art, who have pursued their melodic ambitions in the past 42 years.
Besides, the elder brother Badar has contributed much to the production of melodic literature in Pakistan. An educated vocalist (Masters in political science), he has authored four books in music, in addition to reproducing the one and only extant text “Maarful Naghmaat”, which is considered the best book on music ever published in Urdu in the past 80 years.
The inclusion of the brothers in the list of Pakistan Broadcasting Company (PBC) awardees has been hailed by the votaries of classical music as recognition of their talent will undoubtedly encourage and motivate other musicians in this category to carry on with their melodic pursuits with greater zeal. Non-gharaana musicians have to face stiff competition from practitioners to whom music is transferred through their family occupation.
Talking on the occasion, Ustad Badaruz Zaman said classical music is part of our glorious heritage and the Pakistani people love their heritage that is why this traditional music has not become lackluster. “Classical music teaches us hard work, curiosity, tolerance, and struggling for our objectives,” Zaman said.
He said the RAC had the distinction of arranging such events to promote Pakistani culture and the said programme was related to this. Earlier, a short documentary about dengue virus and related precautionary measures was screened on the occasion.
