usicians, artists and rights activists have welcomed the official recognition of rubab as the king instrument of Pashto orchestra by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

The art of playing and crafting the rubab was officially recognised during the 19th session of the UNESCO in its Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage on December 4 in Paraguay.

According to a communiqué issued by the UNESCO, the string instrument has been acknowledged as an intangible cultural heritage of Afghanistan and its neighbouring countries including Iran, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Hayat Roghani, the CEO of Mafkoora, a research and development organisation in Peshawar working for the revival of Pashtun art and culture, says The News on Sunday he had written a letter to the country director of UNESCO in Islamabad, requesting that rubab be listed as cultural heritage on its inventory.

According to Roghani, he had written to the officials of UNESCO that rubab had been invented during the Gandhara civilization and spread to all parts of the Pashtun belt.

Roghani said that he had made the decision to write the letter to the UNESCO after the tragic death of Musa Khan on May 25. The movement for the revival and preservation of rubab was, in part, motivated by the incident.

Khan, a journalism student at the University of Malakand, had loved performing arts. His instrument of choice was the rubab. He had arranged a musical concert at the university hostel. This angered the administration, resulting in his alleged expulsion from the hostel. On his way home, he lost his life in a road accident.

“The final recognition communiqué was released on December 4 this year. It is a matter of great pride for the Mafkoora Organisation, musicians, rights activists and the Pashtun populace,” said Roghani.

Rashid Ahmad Khan, president of KP Artists Welfare Society, said that he had done his doctorate thesis on Pahsto folk music with main focus on traditional Pashto orchestra.

“Rubab originated in the mountainous region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa some 2000 years ago,” said Khan, “Various models of rubab are found in Peshawar, Swat and Taxila heritage museums.”

Nazeer Gul Ustad , a senior Pashto music director, said that no traditional Pashto music orchestra could be complete without rubab. “Even modern music has to include rubab as an integral part of composition,” he commented.

Khan, a journalism student at the University of Malakand, loved performing arts. His instrument of choice was the rubab. He had arranged a musical concert at the university hostel. This angered the administration, resulting in his alleged expulsion from the hostel. On his way home, he lost his life in a road accident.

Gulabkhel Afridi, a rubab player, said that there weren’t many good rubab players and makers in Mardan, Peshawar or Swat. “Since they are only a few of them, they often face threats from extremists. We must take steps for the preservation and promotion of this ancient string instrument,” he said.

The rubab is popular in Central Asia. It is played in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan. It is a vital part of the region’s rich cultural heritage, with a history dating back over 2,000 years.

The rubab has its roots in the ancient Persian empire, where it was known as the rabab. The instrument evolved over time, influenced by various cultures, including the Arab, Mongol and Turk. In the 13th Century, the rubab was introduced to India by Afghan and Persian musicians and became an integral part of Indian classical music.

Rubab has a distinctive, round body made from a single piece of wood, typically mulberry or walnut. It has a long neck and a flat, fretless fingerboard. The instrument typically has 11-14 sympathetic strings that resonate with the main strings to produce a rich, harmonious sound. The rubab is played with a plectrum made from animal bone, wood or plastic.

Playing the rubab requires great skill and technique. The artist is seated and the instrument rests on the left leg. The player uses the plectrum to pluck the main strings. The rubab players use various techniques, such as glissando, tremolo and ornamentation, to create a distinctive and expressive sound.

Rubab holds immense cultural significance in Central Asia and beyond. In Afghanistan, it is considered the national instrument and its music an integral part of Afghan cultural identity. In Pakistan, the rubab is an important part of Pashto folk music. In India, it is used in various forms of classical music, including Hindustani and Carnatic music.

Despite the challenges posed by modernisation and globalisation, the rubab continues to play an important role in contemporary music. Many musicians and composers are working to revive and promote the rubab, incorporating its unique sound and techniques into modern music genres, such as fusion, rock and pop.

Rubab is a unique and fascinating instrument with a rich history and cultural significance. Its distinctive sound and playing techniques have captivated audiences for centuries and it continues to play an important role in contemporary music.

The writer is a Peshawar-based journalist. He mostly writes on art, culture, education, youth and minorities. His X handle: @Shinwar-9