Alghoza Explained

Alghoza
Names:Alghoze, Jōrhi, Pāwā Jōrhī, Do Nālī, Donāl, Girāw, Satārā or Nagōze[1]
Background:Woodwind
Classification:Woodwind instrument
Developed:around 7500 BC in Mesopotamia[2]
Hornbostel Sachs:421.112

Alghoza also called Beenon is a paired woodwind traditional musical instrument of Sindhi culture,[3] [4] also used by Kutchi, Saraiki, Punjabi, Rajasthani and baloch folk musicians.[5] It consists of two joined beak flutes, one for melody, the second for drone. The flutes are either tied together or may be held together loosely with the hands. A continuous flow of air is necessary as the player blows into the two flutes simultaneously.[6] The quick recapturing of breath on each beat creates a bouncing, swinging rhythm. The wooden instrument initially comprised two flute pipes of the same length but over time, one of them was shortened for sound purposes. In the world of Alghoza playing, the two flute pipes are a couple — the longer one is the male and the shorter one the female instrument. With the use of beeswax, the instrument can be scaled to any tune.[7]

Origin

It originated at around 7500 BC in Mesopotamia, it then reached Iran and eventually the Indian subcontinent with some modifications. Some Mesopotamian archaic paintings contain a musical instrument very similar to Alghoza.

In Mesopotamia, this instrument was called "Al-Joza", which literally means, "The twin". As it reached the Indian subcontinent, the "J" in "Al-Joza" became "gh" and eventually the modified form of this instrument which reached the subcontinent came to be known as Alghoza.

Alghoza players

References

Books

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Alghoza . Asian Music Circuit . 7 December 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170227080151/http://amc.org.uk/asian-instrument/alghoza . 27 February 2017 . dead .
  2. News: Chandio. Faraz. September 2, 2018. CULTURE: THE DYING BREATHS OF THE ALGHOZA. DAWN. Islamabad. June 3, 2021.
  3. Web site: 2015-04-06 . Rich culture: Lok Mela showcases colours of Sindh . 2024-01-23 . The Express Tribune . en.
  4. Web site: 2016-12-17 . Interactive sessions: Sukkur IBA concludes conference with culture night . 2024-01-23 . The Express Tribune . en.
  5. Web site: Alghoza . Asian Music Circuit . 7 December 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170227080151/http://amc.org.uk/asian-instrument/alghoza . 27 February 2017 . dead .
  6. Pande, p. 70
  7. News: Usman . Maryam . 2013-08-26 . Instrumental Ecstasy concert: A retreat into the rhythms of Sindhi classical tunes . The Express Tribune . 2015-12-07.
  8. Web site: Ahmed . Shoaib . 2015-12-12 . Mystic Music Sufi Festival kicks off . 2024-02-03 . DAWN.COM . en.
  9. Web site: An elegy to music . 2024-02-03 . www.thenews.com.pk . en.
  10. Web site: TheNews Weekly Magazine . 2024-02-03 . www.thenews.com.pk . en.
  11. Book: Pakistan Quarterly . 1967 . Pakistan Publications . en.
  12. Book: Yusuf, Zohra . Rhythms of the Lower Indus: Perspectives on the Music of Sindh . 1988 . Department of Culture and Tourism, Government of Sindh . en.
  13. Web site: 2023-12-18 . Alghoza player Ustab Achar passes away . 2024-02-03 . The Nation . en-US.
  14. Web site: 2023-12-18 . Veteran Alghoza Player Achar Samejo Dies At 70 . 2024-02-03 . The Friday Times . en.
  15. Web site: Khawaja . Kamran Khamiso . 2023-12-16 . Veteran musician and algoza player Achar Samejo dies at 70 . 2024-02-03 . Minute Mirror . en-US.

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