Daily Times

When Dr Jawaz Jafri used the word khaak (dust) in the title of his book, I had thought that he meant mitti (soil) as folk music evolves out of our soil and the rituals surrounding it.

Why this question arose was because Jawaz wrote four articles on music out of a total of eight in his book titled Khaak Se Uthne Wala Fun. Other two are on poetry, one on ‘Kahanat’ (Augur) and the last one on the ancient sports of wrestling; quite a variety. These interests vary from Dr. Jawaz Jafri’s basic interest in saying poetry and can fall in the domain of criticism.

The submission on the concept of ‘Gharana’ (school of thought) in classical music (chapter 2) made an important observation as to why this concept prevailed only among Muslim classical practicing crooners or musicians and not among Hindus! The latter were probably busy writing on music and the former practicing it. That is why the tradition of Gharana music travelled ‘Seena ba Seena’ (chest to chest). As the years passed by, many ‘Gharana’ followers moved to Pakistan at the time of its creation (chapter 3). As per this reviewer, keeping classical music close to their chests or only passing it on to their children only shrunk the numbers following this tradition in the next generation. The divide with the others following music who were not direct descendants of a Gharana called ‘Ataais’ widened with the passage of time. The youngsters in the latter category got hold of their guitars and started producing their own music with or without learning the basics of classical music. Some excelled e.g. Atif Aslam, Ali Zafar & alike), some did not. Their education in colleges or Universities helped them in presenting their art better.On the contrary only a handful among ‘Gharana’ system survived (e.g. Shafqat Ali Khan and alike) and many did not transfer their knowledge to their children as their profession had not made them financially sound (e.g. Ustad Nazim Ali Khan Sarangi Player of international repute). Some younger scions of classical music propagationists opted for popular music (e.g. Raaga Boys sons of Hamid Ali Khan). Net result is deceased film industry as compared to that of 1950s to 1980s that had produced outstanding music, low priority given to music by TV channels, not many upcoming vocalists and musicians in the offing etc.; a dismal scenario! The research by the author on Indian classical music schools of thought throws light on Agra, Kirana, Haryana, Kapurthala, Rampur Shehsawan, Indore, Bhindi Bazar, Dilli ‘Gharanas’ etc.

An interesting deviation from music is locating the first Arab poet who was against war. Why this sudden interest because Arab land has been land of wars in the past. The war nature of Arabs was due to barren lands, dry weather, infertile lands, and uncertain conditions. Zubairbin Abi Sulma was the one who raised voice against war when centuries old wars were being fought with fury. He hailed from Najd (Bani Ghatfan). He inherited his traits from his uncle Bishama bin Uzair. It is a well-researched submission by Dr. Jawaz Jafri.

Jawaz Jafri has written on Urdu ghazal emanating from Europe and America. Such poets, as per Jawaz, can easily be categorised as those who were well established back home before migrating abroad and others

This reviewer recalls his presentation ‘Dais Pardais’ from PTV many years ago when he presented along with music composer Mian Sheheryar poetry of immigrant community in Gulf, Europe and America. This community is very nationalistic and foreign exchange earner for our country. Jawaz Jafri has written on Urdu ghazal emanating from Europe and America (Page 105). Such poets, as per Jawaz, can easily be categorised as those who were well established back home before migrating abroad and the other category comprised who were not. This reviewer disagrees with this segregation by Jawaz as Adeem, Ifti were already well known before migrating abroad. Anyway, representative poetry of many poets residing abroad has been selected and quoted by Jawaz. Among many deserving ones, names of Syed Younis Ijaz, (KSA/USA), Dr. Safi Hassan (UK), Basir Kazmi (UK), Rehana Roohi (KSA), Ashoor Kazmi (UK), Iqbal Naveed (UK) and Sabir Raza (UK) come to his mind. This list is endless.

The last two topics are very unique in the sense that the first one ‘Kahanat Kei Tareekhi Aur Takhleequi Zaviye’ (Historical and creative perspective of Augur) – Page 125 is very intriguing as the profession of an oracle, vate, augur, sooth sayer or a sibyl has an element of mystery attached to it. ‘Kahanat’ evolves as a document that encompasses natural beauty, contemporary awakening, spiritual guidance and decision making. How far it works depends upon the belief on an individual in the way it adopts. Five star hotels have a kiosk with a palmist, politicians traveling far away to a prognosticator for advice and so on. Kahanat provides information through his stories that provides intrigue. The latter is also an important element of poetry!

The last column is about a sport that takes its impetus from dust that is wrestling and forms the theme of Jafri’s last submission. The traditional definition of this sport is that it is a combat sport involving grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position. There are a wide range of styles with varying rules with both traditional historic and modern styles. Wrestling techniques have been incorporated into other martial arts as well as military hand-to-hand combat systems. The basic ingredient is power, in this case that of body and mind. Grabbing of power in broader sense has corrupted man traditionally. It has enticed tyranny, letting others down, looting and plunder and what not. On the contrary in the art of wrestling as sports the opponent is made to live rather than killing him. That is its beauty.

The writer is the recipient of the prestigious Pride of Performance award. He can be reached at doc_amjad@hotmail.com

Published in Daily Times, February 24^th 2019.