This book focuses on history of music in Afghanistan
from Ancient time till the 21st and deals with
various sources of information. At the beginning
early evidence is found in music archaeology and
iconography. This data documents the presence of
Greek music as well as the musical instruments
attributed to local traditions. Written texts dating
from the 10th century A.D onward are important
sources for later eras. These include musical
treatises, poems, historical works, observations
from international travellers and scholars,
miniature paintings and recent scholarship and oral
history of Afghan musicians for the last two hundred
years which emphasises the role of Afghan musicians
and dancers of Indian descendant, Pasht n and Herati
musicians, earlier Central Asian tradition, the
introduction of influences from Western music and
music ensembles. This study reveals a complex
interplay of musical traditions from four sources
ancient and medieval Central Asia, indigenous
Pasht n culture, India, and recently from Western
music. The mosaic shows a
vibrant musical culture that has lasted in a healthy
condition until the last three decades.
from Ancient time till the 21st and deals with
various sources of information. At the beginning
early evidence is found in music archaeology and
iconography. This data documents the presence of
Greek music as well as the musical instruments
attributed to local traditions. Written texts dating
from the 10th century A.D onward are important
sources for later eras. These include musical
treatises, poems, historical works, observations
from international travellers and scholars,
miniature paintings and recent scholarship and oral
history of Afghan musicians for the last two hundred
years which emphasises the role of Afghan musicians
and dancers of Indian descendant, Pasht n and Herati
musicians, earlier Central Asian tradition, the
introduction of influences from Western music and
music ensembles. This study reveals a complex
interplay of musical traditions from four sources
ancient and medieval Central Asia, indigenous
Pasht n culture, India, and recently from Western
music. The mosaic shows a
vibrant musical culture that has lasted in a healthy
condition until the last three decades.