In defiance of the Taliban's ban on music in Afghanistan, musicians are continuing to play behind closed doors and craftsmen like Sakhi are still making traditional instruments such as the rubab. Despite the risks, Sakhi has been crafting two rubabs a month for decades at his workshop in Herat, citing the cultural value of his work as more important than financial gain.
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3292892/afghans-making-music-and-musical-instruments-defiance-ban-taliban?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionSakhi, a craftsman in his fifties from Herat, Afghanistan, continues to make rubabs despite a Taliban crackdown on music. He believes the cultural value of the instrument is too important to lose and UNESCO has recognized its significance as intangible cultural heritage in Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The Taliban's ban on music has forced many musicians into exile or unemployment, but amateur player Gull Agha continues to play for tourists and hopes to pass on his skills to the next generation. Artists like Mohsen remain optimistic about the future of traditional Afghan music, citing its ability to bring joy to others as a reason it will survive despite adversity.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40340026/unesco-listed-musical-instrument-stifled-in-afghanistanThe Taliban's ban on music in Afghanistan is threatening the country's rich musical heritage, including the ancient rubab instrument. Since their return to power in 2021, authorities have banned public performances and destroyed instruments, forcing many musicians to flee or abandon their livelihoods. Amateur musician Gull Agha, who has been playing the rubab for over 20 years, is among those who continue to defy the ban by occasionally strumming a homemade instrument for tourists in Herat, a city known for its art and culture. Despite the risks, Agha remains committed to preserving Afghanistan's musical traditions, saying "it's our duty to pass on our local music to the next generations as our ancestors passed it down to us."
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/asia/unesco-listed-musical-instrument-stifled-in-afghanistanThe Taliban's ban on music in Afghanistan has threatened the country's rich cultural heritage, including its traditional instrument, the rubab. The UNESCO-recognized instrument, made of dried mulberry wood and often inlaid with mother-of-pearl, is one of the oldest instruments in the region. Despite this, amateur musician Gull Agha continues to play the rubab, motivated by a desire to preserve Afghanistan's cultural heritage. However, he fears that the craft will be lost as professional musicians flee the country and his former students lose interest in practicing. The Taliban authorities have encouraged musicians to turn their talents to Islamic poetry and unaccompanied vocal chants, but Agha remains committed to preserving the rubab tradition.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/582211-afghanistans-unesco-listed-musical-tradition-under-threatIn Afghanistan, traditional musicians are struggling to keep their craft alive under Taliban rule. Despite the risks of persecution, some musicians continue to play the rubab, a traditional instrument that has been an integral part of Afghan culture for centuries. Gull Agha, a 40-year-old musician from Herat, still plays his rubab for tourists and hopes to pass on his skills to future generations. However, many professional musicians have gone into exile, and those who remain are often forced to play in secret due to the Taliban's crackdown on music. Sakhi, a luthier, continues to craft rubabs despite the challenges, while Majid, a 46-year-old musician from Kabul, has not played his instrument for over three years but still holds onto it as a symbol of Afghan culture. Despite the difficulties, musicians remain optimistic that their traditional music will survive and continue to bring joy to others.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2024/12/29/afghan-rubab-music-defies-taliban-silence-as-artists-keep-legacys-soul-alive/161440