Balochi music

Balochi music (or Baluchi music) refers to music performed by the Baloch people in Balochistan, southern Oman, some parts of Afghanistan and Middle East. Baluchi music is very rich and played with varieties of traditional instruments. Due to their demographics and strong cultural values, the Baluch people have been able to keep the their rich traditional heritage alive. The art of playing double flute is traditional to Baluch and can be seen in many parts of present-day Baluch geography. One of the most famous Balochi artist is Rostam Mirlashari who is known as the "prince of Balochi music".

Major instruments

Before the 1950s the Suroz, a Baluchi folk violin, was only played in the Balochistan region. Today the instruments used in Baluchi music can also be found throughout modern day Kurdistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The most commonly used instruments in Baluchi folk music are Tanbur, long-necked lutes. Lutes have been present in Mesopotamia since the Akkadian era, or the third millennium BCE. Dohol a large cylindrical drum with two skin heads, it is the principal accompaniment for the Surna an ancient Iranian woodwind instrument that dates back to the Achaemenid Dynasty (550-330 BCE). Ney which is also commonly played with using single or double flutes. Other Baluchi musical instruments include the Tar and Saz.

Traditional Baluch dances

Dances performed by Baluch people:

Do-Chapi

An ancient Persian dance mostly performed by forming a circle by a group of people, dancing and clapping. Do-Chapi almost always includes Surna and Dohol.

Lewa

Main article: Liwa (music)

Lewa is also a Baluchi dance of Sheedi origin, performed mostly by a group of people in a circle with hand movements. Lewa almost always includes a Surna and Dohol.

Baluchi music composers and performers

Audio and Video files of Balochi music performers

See also

References