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Alghoza

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Alghoza
Sindhi musician from Sindh seen playing Alghoza
Woodwind
Other namesAlghoze, Jōrhi, Pāwā Jōrhī, Do Nālī, Donāl, Girāw, Satārā or Nagōze[1]
Classification Woodwind instrument
Hornbostel–Sachs classification421.112
Developedaround 7500 BC in Mesopotamia[2]

Alghoza also called Beenon (Sindhi: الغوزو) is a paired woodwind traditional musical instrument of Sindhi culture,[3][4] also used by Kutchi, Saraiki, Punjabi, Rajasthani and baloch folk musicians.[2][1] 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.[5] 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.[6]

Toomba and Alghoza players in Punjab, India

Origin

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Alghoza player in the Thar Desert, Rajasthan, India

It originated at around 7500 BC in Mesopotamia, it then reached Iran and eventually the Indian subcontinent with some modifications.[2] Some Mesopotamian archaic paintings contain a musical instrument very similar to Alghoza.[2]

In Mesopotamia, this instrument was called "Al-Joza", which literally means, "The twin".[2] 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.[2]

Alghoza players

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References

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