Falak (literally "heaven," "fate," "universe") is a style of music native to the Pamir Mountains of Central Asia, particularly the Badakhshan region of northeastern Afghanistan, southeastern Tajikistan, and northern Pakistan.[1] Falak lyrics can involve religious-mystical themes of divine love, separation and reunion (often drawn from Persian Sufi poetry), or secular and melancholy lyrics of human love and suffering.[2]

Music theory

Falak music is generally in a descending scale, with a limited range often limited to a hexachord (six notes).[3]

Instrumentation

Falak may be sung a cappella, accompanied by instruments, or instrumental. Falak instruments include the ghijak (spike fiddle), nay (Persian flute), and dombura (long-necked lute), as well as percussion instruments.[3]

References

  1. ^ Asian Music: Journal of the Society for Asian Music. The Society. 2006. p. 65. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  2. ^ Benjamin D. Koen Assistant Professor of Ethnomusicology Florida State University (26 November 2008). Beyond the Roof of the World : Music, Prayer, and Healing in the Pamir Mountains: Music, Prayer, and Healing in the Pamir Mountains. Oxford University Press. pp. 117–. ISBN 978-0-19-971002-7. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  3. ^ a b Alison Arnold (2000). South Asia: The Indian Subcontinent. Garland Pub. pp. 828–. ISBN 978-0-8240-4946-1. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
Categories