The music of Pakistan reflects the country’s diverse multiethnic population, encompassing a wide range of genres such as qawwali and rock ‘n’ roll. Influences from various regions of South Asia, as well as Central Asia, Persian, Turkish, Arabic, and Western popular music, have contributed to the development of a unique Pakistani sound. In the early days of Pakistan, music was seen as a form of entertainment.
The evolution of Pakistani music can be traced back to ancient times when music was an integral part of the Indus Valley Civilization. Over time, Pakistani music has been influenced by various cultures, including Indian, Persian, Central Asian, and Arab.
During 1950s and 1960s
The 1950’s and 60s was when Pakistani pop music began to emerge, with artists such as Noor Jehan and Muhammad Rafi becoming popular. This period was also marked by the emergence of Pakistani film music, which gained popularity not only in Pakistan but also in other parts of the Indian subcontinent.
Not only this, it was also the time when minorities within Pakistan started appearing on tv more frequently. Singers like Sunny Benjamin john and Irene perveen stole people heart with their melodious voice.
And how can we forget? Ahmed Rushdi. He was possibly the first disco sensation of his time, with his hit song “Ko-ko-Korina” achieving Platinum Jubilee status and propelling the Pakistani film industry to new heights of popularity. The song was so beloved in the region that it was covered by numerous artists over the next few decades, both in Pakistan and its neighbouring country, India.
Then comes the age of 1970’s and 80’s when Pakistani music saw the emergence of a new genre known as “Qawwali rock” which fused traditional Qawwali music with western rock music. This was pioneered by the Sabri Brothers who became popular not only in Pakistan but also in other parts of the world.
In the 1990s, Pakistani music was heavily influenced by western pop and rock music. This period was marked by the emergence of bands such as Vital Signs, Junoon, and Awaz who blended western and eastern music to create a unique sound that became popular not only in Pakistan but also in other parts of the world.
All and all, in the 20th century, Pakistani music was heavily influenced by classical Indian music. Prominent classical musicians such as Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and Mehdi Hassan emerged during this period and contributed greatly to the development of Pakistani classical music. and with the emergence of new genres such as pop, rock, and fusion music and new artists such as Atif Aslam, Ali Zafar, and asim azhar the future of Pakistani music in the 21st century looks promising,
