Many Algoja artists believe that this musical instrument originated from Egypt
- One of the most fascinating aspects of ancient Egyptian music is the use of Indus musical instruments, which were believed to have been imported from the ancient Indus Valley civilization
By Nasir Aijaz
Earlier this year, I received the copy of a book ‘A Study on Sindhi Folk Music’, authored by Mr. Rajesh Kumar Parasramani, a well-known Sindhi Sarangi Player, based in Chhatishgarh state of India. The book was published sometime in 2023, but as usual, the strained relations between the two neighboring countries – India and Pakistan, proved a barrier for the book to cross the border. The Indian postal service had returned the book to the author after a month. Later, Mr. Rajesh managed to send the book through a person who was to visit Islamabad. That person was kind enough to send me the book by courier from Islamabad.
Rajesh Kumar, visually impaired, was born in India, but his ancestors belonging to Sindh, a province of Pakistan, migrated to India in 1947 when the British colonial rule ended, and the Indian subcontinent was partitioned, creating two independent countries – India and Pakistan. The well-educated Rajesh is an employee of Reserve Bank of India, but has a passion for Sarangi, a folk musical instrument, played in Sindh, Punjab and some states of India.
While going through his book ‘A Study on Sindhi Folk Music’, a small note on ‘Alghoza’ (Also spelled as Algoza in India) drew my attention, as it mentioned that ‘many Algoja artists believe that this musical instrument originated from Egypt.’
Pronounced as ‘Alghoza’ in Sindh, it is a paired woodwind instrument, traditionally used by Sindhi (The people of Sindh province of Pakistan), Baloch (Of Balochistan province bordering Iran), Kutchi (Of Kutch area of India), Punjabi (Of Punjab province of Pakistan) and Rajasthani (Of Rajasthan region bordering Sindh) folk musicians. This instrument is made from Sheesham wood, also called as ‘Rosewood’ or ‘Dalbergia sisso’, a native tree of this region. Alghoza is a pair of two flutes. As described by Rajesh, the longer flute is called ‘Nar’, which produces only one note while playing. The smaller flute is called ‘Mada’ and the performer can play seven notes from it. While playing the Alghoza, the artist has to control his breath and try to play the ‘Nar’ continuously. The performer inhales through the nose and exhales through the mouth to play the instrument. The performer places his tongue between the two flutes and with the help of tongue he divides the air flow between two flutes of Alghoza.
“Only Mada flute produces different notes, and the performer has to keep his fingers only on the holes of Mada flute. The Nar flute is kept free and no hole is to be covered during playing the Alghoza,” he wrote, adding that Alghoza is made by cutting the pipe in two parts.
He revealed an interesting fact that a renowned artist Ramnath Choudhary, hailing from Jaipur district of Rajasthan, used to play Alghoza his nose.
In Sindh, there were some famous Alghoza players, but Khamiso Khan was known as the ‘King of Alghoza’ who performed at international events in different countries also. He passed away in 1983. Currently, there are some Alghoza players in Sindh including Akber Khamiso Khan, but it is said that gradually the art of Alghoza playing is dying.
Rajesh states that according to his research, Alghoza or Algoja has 12000 years old history. However my quest for further knowledge, led me to know that Alghoza originated at around 7500 BC in Mesopotamia. It then reached Iran and eventually the Indian subcontinent with some modifications. According to Wikipedia, some Mesopotamian archaic paintings contain a musical instrument very similar to Alghoza. In Mesopotamia, this instrument was called “Al-Joza”, which literally means, “The twin”.
According to some other websites, music played an important role in ancient Egyptian society, and a variety of musical instruments were used to create the unique and enchanting sounds that accompanied religious ceremonies, celebrations, and daily life. One of the most fascinating aspects of ancient Egyptian music is the use of Indus musical instruments, which were believed to have been imported from the ancient Indus Valley civilization.
The ancient Egyptians were known for their trade and cultural exchanges with neighboring civilizations, and it is believed that they acquired Indus musical instruments through these interactions. Some of the most prominent Indus musical instruments found in ancient Egypt include the harp, lyre, and drums. The harp was one of the most popular and widely used musical instruments in ancient Egypt. It was often depicted in tomb paintings and sculptures, and was played by both men and women. The harp had a deep significance in Egyptian mythology and was associated with the goddess Hathor, who was the patroness of music, dance, and love.
Drums were also an essential part of ancient Egyptian music, and they were used in various contexts, including religious rituals, festivals, and military processions. The drums were often made from animal skins and were played using hands or sticks, producing rhythmic and powerful beats that added depth and energy to the music.
Although, it needs a thorough research to find out the origin of such music instruments, but I believe that Alghoza and other instruments originated in Egypt or Sindh, there presence highlights the interconnectedness of ancient civilizations and the exchange of cultural and artistic practices. The use of these instruments also demonstrates the importance of music in the societies of ancient societies, as well as the skill and craftsmanship of the musicians who played them.
Read: Rajesh Kumar Parasramani sets record of Fastest Sarangi Player
These instruments added a unique and captivating element to ancient music, and their influence can still be seen and heard in the musical traditions. The legacy of these instruments continues to inspire musicians and music enthusiasts around the world, showcasing the enduring power of music to transcend time and cultural boundaries.
Read: Sindhi Sarangi Player Rajesh Kumar Develops Easy Code Method in Braille
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Nasir Aijaz is a senior journalist, researcher, author and translator, based in Karachi, Sindh. He has ten books on literature, history, language, travelogue and translations to his credit.
This article was first published in a latest issue of CAJ (Congress of African Journalists) International magazine
Thank you sir