Shivani Bhakoo
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, August 23
“Music killed in Afghanistan!” This is a message sent by a student from Afghanistan to his Indian maestro Narinder Narula – a globally acclaimed sitar player – apprised him of the situation there since the Taliban took power.
Ustad Fazal Sepand, a native of Herat, Afghanistan, sent a message on WhatsApp, requesting the Indian maestro to tell the world that music no longer finds a place in Afghanistan. Fazal runs a music institute named ‘Honerestan Tarana’.
Ustad Narula, who was recently in Ludhiana, said: “I have not met Fazal personally. After watching my videos on youtube he contacted me on whatsapp and started learning sitar. However, his recent text left me puzzled. Afghan people are trying to raise their voice for their safety and rights. But just as his voice is being suppressed, so are his dreams.
dreams are broken
Fazal’s recent recitation left me baffled. Afghan people are trying to raise their voice for their safety and rights. But just as his voice is being suppressed, so are his dreams.
Ustad Narinder Narula, Master Sitar
In his message, Fazal further wrote that his department was closed and everything was over. He asked the maestro to tell about his other disciples, their culture and how they learned music. He requested to start a program on Facebook and other social media platforms to help young Afghan musicians who are passionate about singing and playing various instruments. Fazal also wrote that artists in Afghanistan were poor and did not receive much support from the world, but connecting them to others would surely heal their wounds.
Meanwhile, local industrialists are shying away from talking to buyers or middlemen in Afghanistan. Some of them say their stocks are stuck and there is no response from buyers, while some others are refraining from talking, fearing that their calls may get recorded.