Music of Hunza

Music is called the food of soul and the people of NAs adopted it as a part of their culture from the rise of their fore fathers on this land. The instruments commonly used in NAs are, Dadang (drum) Damal (Tabla) Surnai (shehnai) while some other instruments like Sitar, Gabi(flut) Rabab and duff represent the different areas and chighini in yasin/ gupis. Beside these khling-boo, chang, porgho-too etc instruments are used in Baltistan region.

The music of these areas came from different parts of the near by regions, like Tibatian Ladakhi and Central Asian music specially converted in our traditional rethums.

Music (Hareep in Brushaski)
Dani/Hareep

Dani is the name of a traditional music used in Hunza which links to Tibet, Baltistan and Laddakh. In Hunza Dani have three different kinds:

Nazimkahani Dani

This dani was introduced by raja of Hunza Mir Muhammad Nazim Kahan in (1892-1938), He used this music for dancing during festivals and other traditional events. Now this music is being used during ceremonies and events. Some musicians think that this dani has originated from Chitral.

Maghlote Dani

Maghlot the first ruler of Nagar introduced this dani. With this dani people used to dance during traditional and cultural events. This dani was given the name of Maghlote dani.

Mehtari dani,

This dani is linked to Mehtar (Rular) of chitral. The royal family of chital used this rhythm to dance; Afterward this dani is known as Mehtari dani.

Tajwar

A special music rhythm in Hunza, which was used by royal family during different events, festival and gatherings. Some of tajwar rhythms are as followed;

Nownehal shah:

It is a rhythm named by Nownehal Shah belonged to royal family of Hunza who proposed this music to his name. This music links to chitral, and now used by the people of Hunza to dance.

Siq Mitara Tajwar:

Belongs to a member in nagar royal family, especially for Bakhtawar Shah, who created this rhythm. The numberdar of Ganish Mr Innayat liked this music to dance.

Malane tajwar:

This music belongs to a person belongs to the famous Shina poet Puniyal who used this music during his singings and dancing events.

Bulbul Shereen:

This rhythm introduced in Gojal Hunza and gojalis can dance well with this music.

Shereen Zaban:

During marriages this rhythm is used inside the bride grooms houses to dance.

Foukowa Tajwar:

This rhythm is linked to Sinkiang a province in China and now people use with the name Foukowa hareep.

Shah buki:

This is from Central Asia (Tajikistan) and now is used in Hunza.

Bazmi

It has a special tune and Mir of Hunza Mir Ghazan khan who used to arrange gatherings and parties with his courtiers or friends. This rithum was used in Mirs private paries therefore named as bazmi.

Mehboob Ali khan bazmi:

Raja Mehaboob Ali Khan who ruled Yasin liked and proposed this rhythm to his name.

Khush Begim:

This rhythm links to Wali Chitral.

Kiming jangale:

This rhythm links to Shimshal Gojal Hunza, Wazirs of Hunza used to dance with this rhythm.

Souse

A martial (harbi) tune and it has a fast rhythm and is used specially in sword (talwar) dances.

Mane Nazro Souse:

It belongs to Baltit (Hunza) and well known in sword dances.

Shero Souse:

This person was from Dorkhan (Hunza) who was dancing with this rhythm and it links to kalash (Chitral).

Alghani: The people of Ghizer Yasin, Puniyal,and Gupis called bazmi rhythm as Alghani

Ajoli: During departure of bride and groom from house this rhythm is used in different parts of Northern Areas. This hareep is dividing into two groups as Thamo (mirs) and Burosho (general people)

Lolo: Lolo is a rhythm used to mourn a friend or a family member. It is also used by lovers when they are parted from their beloved.

Ashorjhan: This hareep is linked to Ladakh and having two different groups; the Chashma-e- Awal and Ashorjhan/ghini ghata.

Hareeps in Baltistan: Nobat, Bayad, Yagah, Dogah, Segah, Chargah, Panchgah ets all these hareeps either come from Iran or Tibet.