April 2, 2025
By Syeda Noor Fatima
LAHORE
Rabab player Imtiaz Hussain, has left behind Parachinar’s breathtaking landscape, and instead has taken a journey to Lahore, driven by his desire to not only improve his music career but also to find peace of mind.
“Having seen the conflict there, first hand, I feel helpless, and that anger inside me eventually turns into depression and anxiety,” he says.
For years, the musicians of Parachinar have been only hearing devastating news from their city: children being killed by landmines, their bodies mutilated, others left blind. The region has been plagued by sadness, depriving the people of a peaceful environment to express themselves through music. Musicians have been yearning for a place where they could sit, sing, and play their instruments without fear.
Even though he is in Punjab now, for the past four months, Imtiaz’s heart and mind have been preoccupied with thoughts of his hometown and his family. His is a constant struggle to survive.
“I force a smile to mask my depression, but the truth is, i die a little every day, not just once in a lifetime” shared by Imtiaz.
People who migrate from one region to another or from one country to another, especially in conflicted situations, often experience uncertainty and upheaval in their lives. Dr Fatima Kamran, Professor of the Applied Psychology department at the university of the Punjab stated that migrated peoples lack the resilience to cope with new challenges, they struggle to adapt because their roots and sense of belonging are tied to their native region.
To thrive, Dr Kamran emphasized that they need to learn resilience and adjustment strategies. Unfortunately, Pakistan lacks a comprehensive plan to address the mental health needs of these individuals. Institutions and organizations focused on mental well-being should provide one-to-one individual therapy, counseling, and supports groups to support them.
Support groups, she adds, are an excellent initiative, offering a platform for people to share their experiences, build connections, and realize they are not alone.
Imtiaz also faces numerous challenges in Lahore, with regard to his professional career. The rubab is not an instrument that is native to Punjab and is more commonly understood and appreciated in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and Balochistan region.
In Punjab, by comparison, there are few dedicated listeners of rubab music, and some musicians even belittle the instrument, prioritizing others like the tabla and flute, and not giving much significance to rubab,” says Imtiaz.
International Rubab player Niaz Hunzai emphasized the importance of adaptability for artists.
“To succeed in Punjab, one should familiarize themselves with Punjabi songs and learn to play the Rubab to Punjabi tunes or other languages spoken in our country,” he says. “A musician can easily earn two to three thousand rupees and leave, but an artist has a deeper vision, a mission to move forward. They don’t chase fame; instead, people follow them. But artists must know how to adapt to other cultures, which can foster growth and success.”
“For acceptance, there are two essential things: rhythm and basics,” Hunzai continues. “Rhythm is the foundation of music; it keeps it alive and uplifts it. Rhythm creates a pool, and you build upon it. It’s like a road that you drive on – the more beautiful the road, the smoother the ride.”
He refers to help from apps which can help musicians adjust to situations.
“There are many apps that can help you practice with the tabla or rhythm playing in the background, on your cell phone,” he says. “Until you master the tabla or rhythm, your practice is incomplete. If you play music without rhythm, you’ll struggle to keep up, and people won’t appreciate it. This is why our new generation needs to understand the importance of rhythm and the tabla.”
Despite the challenges, Imtiaz remains hopeful that one day, the situation in his city will improve, and future generations will have a better life in their region.