The Naubat Musical tradition was rampant in those days to entrall the celebrations in cultural enthusiasm. The shenai raag with the santoor trings makes the atmosphere awsome in those days. Nowadays, the situation is on quick mode and more advanced with new gigs of music without having any patience.
Although the Qutb Shahi and Nizam dynasties are long gone, many of its regal customs and practises are still popular today. One of these is the playing of the Naubat shehnai or the banging of the Nagada drum on special occasions.
Families that play the Naubat or Nagada at celebrations may be found in Hyderabad’s Aghapura neighbourhood. “During the Nizam period, our ancestors performed at the royal residences. We have received the art from successive generations, stated Abdul Raheem of Shahi Navbat Nawaz in Darulsalam. He represents the family’s fifth generation to practise the craft in Hyderabad.
Today in Hyderabad, naubat and shehnai are played in homes or function halls on joyful occasions. The music is played during weddings as well as other events including birthdays, Akhikha ceremonies, engagements, and even the opening of new businesses. “Since it is unrelated to religious identification, we receive orders from all communities year-round. On joyful occasions, members of the Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh communities invite us to perform,” Raheem said.
India’s most common wind instrument, the shehnai, produces sound by blowing air into a hollow column. Fingers are used to open and close the holes on the instrument to adjust the pitch of the sound. A drum with a circular back and a hide head called a naubat or nakkare is played by using two sticks in tandem. musicians emphasise out the term ‘naubat’ meant an ensemble of nine instruments. However, now only the drums accompany the shehnai.
Customs from the Golconda and Mughal eras
In the past, rulers constructed Naqqar Khanas (for Naubat) throughout all significant palaces and other structures. These still exist in sites like Hyderabad’s Badhshahi Ashurkhana from the 16th century and Hussain Shah Wali’s dargah (who also built Hussain Sagar).
According to historians, throughout the Mughal Empire, the naubat was frequently played at imperial palaces, entranceways, and significant locations (1526-1857). During the Nizam era (1724–1948), it was imitated at all the significant palaces and provincial entrances in Hyderabad.
The Naqqar or Naubat Khana, which included a group of naubat nawaz, or drummers, were an essential component of the royal palaces. For their services, they received a good wage. In Hyderabad, the tradition was abandoned after the Nizam reign. However, today, the naubat is played during the program along with other local cultural events during Independence Day celebrations.
According to historians, Naubat Khana or Naqqar was a unique example of Mughal architecture. It was constructed for drummers and is typically found close to royal residences or other points of entry into any region. The entrance of the emperor or his notable guests was also announced by the drummers, along with the hours of the day.
Naubat Khanas can be found, among other places, at the Taj Mahal, the Fatehpur Sikri complex, and the Red Fort in Delhi. It is also present at a number of historical places in Hyderabad.
The custom is still carried out at dargahs
Raheem claims that at the Shah Khamosh Dargahs in Darulsalam and Yousufain, the naubat is performed twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening. It is broadcast daily at 3 p.m. in the morning and afternoon here in Hyderabad at these two places. Caretakers pay us a monthly honorarium for the service,” he stated.
The ‘welcome drumming’ on the Nagada in Hyderabad, according to Mohd Shoaib of the Shehnai Naubat and Nagada party, is the newest craze. It is done with the customary large drums, which are struck with large sticks and trumpets are blown to announce the arrival of significant figures.
“Indeed, a new trend for us and the city. We had only ever seen drummers banging Nagada to greet guests in epic movies. Now we do it at weddings and other events,” Shoaib continued.
Today’s traditional drummers come from five to seven families in Aghapura and Charminar in Hyderabad. A three-hour performance costs anything from Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 9,000. They all frequently attend prestigious events at venues like the Chowmahalla Palace., HICC at Madhapur and other star hotels. #hydnews #hyderabadlive #khanarlive
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Faraaz Mohammed