We all share one common language, no matter our origins – music. As the saying goes, music brings people closer together to tell stories and express feelings. Pashto music is a type of music which everyone loves in South Asia. Punjabi songs of Zeeshan Rokhri have made big waves. Similarly, the soft Pashto melodies of Rahim Shah are also deemed to be highly appreciated. Currently, Pashto songs have a safe haven everywhere in the world.
However, Pashto music got its fame thanks to its talented artists. Astonishingly, the list contains many marvellous names. Laila Khan, Gulzar Alam and Gul Panra, to name a few. Nonetheless, we will highlight why Pashto music has gained popularity in South Asia.
Exploring Pashto Music
Pashto music is a music genre associated with the Pashtuns. They are an ethnic group of people from Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pashtuns have a rich history and an incredible culture. Through their music, they express their stories, culture and emotions.
Pashto songs are generally one of the oldest languages in the world. Such traditional instruments often accompany it. These include Rubab (a string instrument native to Afghanistan), dholak (a drum), and sitar (another string instrument). Furthermore, the sound these instruments produce carries a charm of their own.
Pashto Music Hype in Pakistan
1) Strong Cultural Connection
Pashto music perfectly reflects the Pashtun culture. Pashtuns live in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and parts of Baluchistan, Pakistan. They use music to stay connected with their culture and heritage. Significantly, these play a crucial role in their lives.
Pashto songs weave tales about love, loss and life’s struggles. Moreover, this is significant to the Pashtun nation. Just tune in to Nazia Iqbal’s collection, Bee Wafai Badala, Har Afghan Ba Mane and Dastan Pokhtano to experience the best of Pashto music. Thus, through these songs, they acknowledge their deep connection with the roots and culture of their community.
2) Simple and Beautiful Music
Pashto music is full of soft tunes. Furthermore, the songs are so soothing that they cast a spell over its listeners. Surprisingly, whether it’s a wedding song or a breakup song, music never fails to bring forth strong emotions.
Apart from this, there are diverse songs for various events. Therefore, wedding songs are upbeat and energetic. On the contrary, others fall under the category of slow-paced songs. These are folk songs that carry melancholic themes like homesickness and heartbreak.
3) Popular Pashto Singers
Most legendary singers have promoted Pashto music. Moreover, their efforts bore fruits in Pakistan as well as beyond its borders. Astonishingly, the Pashto vocalists made constant ripples in the ocean of melodies. It’s their mellifluous voices that expanded their fandoms in the world. Gul Panra, Sardar Ali Takkar, and Haroon Bacha have taken the position of celebrities in the world. These singers have brought limelight to Pashto music through their songs being frequently featured on radio and television.
4) Role of Pashto Movies
Pashto songs also play a significant role in Pashto movies. They usually feature songs that relay the culture, emotions, and stories of the Pashtun people. Nonetheless, their movie tracks are deemed to be a massive hit among the audience.
In Pushto films, songs serve as a tool to convey powerful emotions. Therefore, when a character is sad or happy, those sentiments get conveyed through the music. Furthermore, songs add a dash of entertainment to the movies.
5) Bringing People Together
There is more to Pashto music than being just a tool of entertainment. That is to say, it portrays our close relationships. For instance, Pashto music is evident at family gatherings, weddings and community celebrations. Besides, it is popular among the youth as well as the elderly. Thus, this foster love despite the generational gap.
Popularity of Pashto Music All Over the World
One can find Pashto music lovers in Pakistan and beyond. This is due to the fact that Pashtun immigrants can be found everywhere now. Thus, they carry their cultural norms as they go and leave a part of it in places they settle.
· The Pashtun Diaspora
Numerous Pashtuns have relocated to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Great Britain, and North America. In these countries, traditions still form an essential part of their lives. Therefore, Pashto music plays a significant role in preserving their traditions and ethnic values.
In these nations, Pashto music is usually played at family event gatherings, restaurants and ethnic festivals. It keeps the Pashtuns who are miles away from home in touch with their roots and reminds them of their homeland.
· The Power of Social Media Platforms
The emergence of social media proved to be the most crucial tool for regional music promotion. Therefore, spreading it globally. Sites like YouTube, Facebook and Instagram give Pashto singers and musicians the opportunity to play songs for international listeners.
Apart from that, people around the world listen to the Pashto music. It is the miracle of modern technology, as in – the internet. Moreover, these online audiophiles do not understand the language but mostly enjoy the melody. Just consider the lively songs of Heer Khan. Her songs, such as Charta De Ke Shpa Ukra, Grana Musafara, and Deedan, rule over various playlists. Thus, Pashto works are slowly conquering the hearts of music lovers beyond South Asia.
· Mash-up of Melodies
Pashto music is going through a massive change. In recent years, a number of Pashto performers have begun to merge traditional music with modern styles such as pop, rock, and hip-hop. This mixture of traditional and contemporary tunes makes it livelier. Hence, youth and music lovers of different genres find it appealing to them.
Pashto music, for example, now often incorporates electric guitars and modern drums with more recent beats. The fusion breathes new life into many of the songs and is still true to their cultural roots! Such changes help music reach new fans, especially ones overseas.
Love of Pashto Music
Pashto melodies can be seen filling up the atmosphere everywhere. Significantly, it’s their brilliant portrayal of emotions that serves as a driving force. They convey some of the powerful feelings of sadness, joy, and simply pride.
Pashto songs revolve around themes like family, love and the beauty of life. Additionally, these are tales that anyone can relate to, regardless of their origins. Therefore, the music penetrates the soul and connects people to the world inside the song.
Similarly, Pashto music becomes a haven for tradition. This is especially true for Pashtun, who live far from their homelands. Moreover, it gives them a method of preserving their culture, regardless of their current residence.
Conclusion
To conclude, the regional music is a significant aspect of the Pashtoon culture. It is also home to many of the finest melodies, profound emotions, and vibrant traditions. From the upbeat wedding songs to the sad folk music, Pashto music has a way of melting away people’s hearts.
It is no surprise that these songs have gained such hype. However, these works are rich in culture. Therefore, it talks about champions of the history, struggles and joys of the Pashtuns. Nevertheless, Music has also travelled beyond the borders of Pakistan into every corner of the world, wherever they may reside. The new era of social media and the blend of diverse genres with Pashto music admitted more fans.
