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Writer:
Nancy M. Gelizon-De Jesus

FAIR USE AND CONTENT DISCALIMER: This SLM (Self Learning Module) is for
educational purposes only. Borrowed materials (i.e., stories, poems, pictures, photos,
brand names, trademarks, etc.) included in these modules are owned by their respective
copyright holders. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership over
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 MUSIC OF SOUTH ASIA AND MIDDLE EAST

PAKISTAN
Pakistan is known for its unique vocals. The distinctive Pakistani sound was formed with
multiple influences not only from various parts of South Asia but it also includes diverse elements
from Central Asia, Persia, Turkey, and the Arab world.
Vocal Music of Pakistan
Ghazal
Traditional expressions of love, separation, and loneliness. It tells both the pain of loss of
the lover and the beauty of love in spite of that pain.
Its structural requirements are stricter than those of most poetic forms traditionally written
in English
Is considered by many to be one of the principal poetic forms in the Persian civilization
Can be sung by both men and women
Qawwali
the devotional music of the Chishti Order
a vibrant musical tradition that stretches back more than 700 years
originally performed manly at Sufi shrines throughout the subcontinent and gained main-
stream popularity.

WEST ASIA – ISRAEL

In general, the music of West Sia is modal. Harmony is not emphasized but rather includes
salient features such as melodic complexity and ornamentation, including ¼ tones and rigorous
rhythmic development. West Asian music commonly used during:
communal worship (in mosque, synagogue, and church)
mystic rituals (Sufis, Hassidic)
life passage events (weddings, bat mitzvas, bar mitzvas, anniversaries)
entertainment (belly dancing, folk dancing)
 VOCAL MUSIC OF ISRAEL
Israeli singers have a distinctive vocal style. They sing with guttural and throaty enuncia-
tion. The following are the two divisions of Jewish music:
Devotional
Almost entirely vocal
Featured during Sabbath and other holy days
The art of Hazan (leader of prayer in the synagogue) has always been evident in
the culture
Shofar is a special call to prayer and repentance; it is sounded on the High Holi-
days (the Jewish New Year and Day of Atonement)
Secular
Instruments and voice are used
Played during life passage events
Context lies outside the religious domain
Very rhythmic and have popular and romantic texts

Sing and interpret the musical pieces below. You may ask the help of your guardian or you may
check the link of each song.

Israeli Folk Song ZUM GALI GALI

(Israeli Lyrics)
Zum gali gali gali zum gali gali
Zum gali gali gali zum gali gali zum
Hechalutz le’ maan avodah,
Avodah le’ maam hechalutz
Hechalutz le’ maan avodah,
Avodah le’ maam hechalutz
Zum gali gali gali zum gali gali
Zum gali gali gali zum gali gali zum
(English Translation)
Zum gali gali gali zum gali gali
Zum gali gali gali zum gali gali zum Pio-
neers work hard on the land
Men and women work hand in hand
As we labor all day long
We lift our voices in song. Zum gali gali
gali zum gali gali
Zum gali gali gali zum gali gali zum
Suggested recording
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6_NgjlwoX8
 Indian Song
Hymn to Shiva
Indian Version
Po - nai -
ma-ta- rai
bhu- mi - yai -
na - di- de
yen- nai
na - di - ya
Yen - u-yir -
na - tha - ne.
Un - - nai
un - na- rul -
tu -ve - li
na - du - van
Tan - nai
na- du -van
tan nan
tan - ni- ya -ne
English Translation
Silver coins, plea-sures full,
no more am I wan- ting
On-ly thee do I hope to find
and pu-ri-fy my soul. Suggested recording
Glad- ly now do I seek for thy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APOtnpt1JTY
ho-ly good-ness. And in truth
I shall pray and seek in
my heart for thee.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OF SOUTH ASIA AND MIDDLE EAST

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OF INDIA

1. Ghan – a non-membranous percussive instrument but with solid resonators. It is one of the
oldest classes of instrument in India. It may also be a melodic instrument or instruments to
keep tal.

Ghatam Karta Manjira

2. Avanaddh – described as a membranous percussive instrument. This class of instruments typ-
ically comprise the drums.

Daf (Duf, Daphu) Dhol Tabla

3. Sushir – also known as “blown air”. It is characterized by the use of air to excite the various
resonators.

Shankh Daf (Duf, Daphu) Shehnai Bansuri

4. Tat – referred to as vina during the old civilization. Instruments in this class are plucked
(stringed instruments).

Sitar Gotuvadyam Ektar

Gopichand Rabab
5. Vitat – described as bowed stringed instruments. This is on of the oldest classifications of in-
struments and yet did not occupy a place in classical Indian music until the last few centu-
ries.

Banam Esraj Chikara Sarangi

SIGNIFICANT INSTRUMENTS OF PAKISTAN

Tabla Harmonium Dholak Rubab

SIGNIFICANT INSTRUMENTS OF ISRAEL

Jewish lyre – an ancient Hebrew lyre also known as Kinnor, the

musical instrument of King David.

Psalterion – musical instrument having plucked strings of gut,

horsehair, or metal stretched across a flat soundboard, often trape-
zoidal but also rectangular, triangular, or wing-shaped.

Shofar – an ancient musical horn typically made of a ram’s horn,

used for Jewish religious purposes.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT INSTRUMENTS OF ARAB COUNTRIES

Goblet – a single head membranophone with a goblet shaped

body.

Toft – also called Bendir, which means in Turkish language a big

hand frame drum, which is known as Duff in Arabic language.
The drum is played vertical by inserting the thumb of the left
hand in a special hole in the frame.

OTHER SIGNIFICANT MIDDLE EASTERN INSTRUMENTS

Oud – a short-neck, lute Darbuk – an hour-

-type, pear-shaped fret- glass shaped drum
less stringed instrument. popular throughout the
Middle East.