Niaz Khan (b.1993) is an instrument-maker, surmandal-player and singer. His father was an amateur flute-player, but used to work as an electrician professionally. He has two brothers and two sisters, and has two daughters as well. His family had no tradition of playing classical music, and in fact disapproved of his choice of music asContinue reading “Niaz Khan”
Author Archives: savethesitar
Muhammad Asif
Muhammad Asif (b. 1951) is a Pakistani luthier and proprietor of Bombay Music Store, one of the last sitar shops in Lahore. Opened by his father Muhammad Azim c. 1925, the store supplied Radio Pakistan and various artists with a range of string instruments: from tanpuras to sitars. Muhammad Asif claims that his ancestors madeContinue reading “Muhammad Asif”
Bombay In Lahore
As we entered Bombay Music Store, we could not help notice the inescapable sense of bitterness and decline which was bound to the very soul of the shop and its aging proprietor, Muhammad Asif. Despite our countless interactions with Lahore’s aging classical musicians who are subject to poverty, mistreatment, and social ostracization, there was somethingContinue reading “Bombay In Lahore”
The One Behind the Film Score
Scrolling through a list of popular patriotic songs, it is disappointing to see how few song-writers and composers are credited. Only the singer’s name is seen, everyone else is deemed unimportant. One of these unsung heroes is Saleem Haider, a music director who helped orchestrate the hit songs ‘Ae Watan Pyare Watan’ and ‘Ae JazbaContinue reading “The One Behind the Film Score”
The Dhol
We hope that all of you know about the dhol, that lovable cuddly little red wolf-like creature … oops, it seems that we picked the wrong dhol. This is what happens when you have too many homonyms in one place! Going on to more serious matters, let’s talk about the real dhol. ‘Door ke dholContinue reading “The Dhol”
Save the Sitar 