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Sound of Mughal-era sarangi instrument fading away in Pakistan
Remarkable for its resemblance to the human voice, the classical instrument sarangi is fading from Pakistan's music scene –- except for a few players dedicated to preserving its place.
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In this picture taken on February 25, 2022, Zohaib Hassan plays the sarangi at the historic Mughal-era Lahore Fort in Lahore, Pakistan. (AFP/Aamir Qureshi)
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n the shadow of Lahore's centuries-old Badshahi Mosque, Zohaib Hassan plucks at the strings of a sarangi, filling the streets with a melodious hum and cry.
Remarkable for its resemblance to the human voice, the classical instrument is fading from Pakistan's music scene –- except for a few players dedicated to preserving its place.
Difficult to master, expensive to repair, and with little financial reward for professionals, the sarangi's decline has been difficult to halt, Hassan told AFP.
"We are trying to keep the instrument alive, not even taking into account our miserable financial condition," he said.
For seven generations, his family has mastered the bowed, short-necked instrument and Hassan is well-respected across Pakistan for his abilities, regularly appearing on television, radio and at private parties.
"My family's craze for the instrument forced me to pursue a career as a sarangi player, leaving my education incomplete," he said.
"I live hand-to-mouth as the majority of directors arrange musical programmes with the latest orchestras and pop bands."
