Gulab Afridi – The Colours of Rubab (Worlds Within Worlds, 2023)
“The Colours of Rubab” presents four instrumental pieces, highlighting the beauty of the South Asian instrument as well as the admirable skill of Gulab Afridi. Hailing from Peshawar, Gulab Afridi stands among Pakistan’s most distinguished classical and folk rubab artists. His style is firmly grounded in the traditional music of the Pashtun regions of Pakistan, evident in the ornamentation and the sound of the instrument itself, which is smaller than its Afghan counterparts.
Notwithstanding, traces of Afghan classical music are detectable, particularly in Raag Yaman (raga), where echoes of Homayoun Sakhi’s virtuosic and groundbreaking playing resonate. Sakhi’s influence is present in both Afghan and Pakistani players due to his time in both Kabul and Peshawar, resulting in a fusion of styles and influences woven from across the region. Combined, these elements define Afridi’s distinct approach to the rubab.
For Afridi, the rubab is a singular expression of his culture and Pashtun ethnic identity. “The rhythms of this instrument propagate tranquility, broaden the horizon, and allow me to connect with my deeper self,” he explains. “It is an alternative to meditation, and most of all, a form of art most cherished in the region and unique to the world out there.”
Afridi believes that music is a language of emotions, as he says, “If you as an artist feel your music, it’s most certain that it transforms into your audience, and there is a connectivity, an ambiance, a transcendence.”
Release date: April 28, 2023
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
Do you have any more material on Alfridi and these instruments? I have made the right start to my day hearing this piece!
This is completely Afghan instrument and a symbol of Afghanistan. There is no sharing of instrument or music the music itself is entirely Afghan music which is completely different pakistan. Please don’t rob and steal Afghanistan history cultural arts music and instruments and label the name of a terrorist country like pakistan with it. Pakistan is an Indianised stolen culture nothing unique about pakistan a man made fake country culture