My band is still the most sought after

The period between Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha is considered the wedding season when different kinds of music bands are used at the festivities of the offspring of rich and middle classmen alike. Among the vibrant cultural traditions of Lahore is the use of brass bands, which spearhead marriage processions, especially in the walled city. Although the invention of modern electronic musical devices, and the subsequent emergence of numerous groups of bands and pop singers did create a dent in the use of these colourful bands, the old custom has tenaciously resisted the onslaught of these latest fads.
In recent years, there have been some shifts away from this old custom which, for people living in the newly developed posh colonies, have changed the ambience and grandeur of their marriage receptions. They consider the use of pop musical groups at wedding festivities of their offspring adds to the visual and sonic eloquence of these celebrations. Some among them now prefer police or army bands, the colourful brass bands, a majority of which is located in the old walled city.
Three among local brass bands, despite the change in cultural dispensations of the people, have retained their popularity among the people. Among these, Sohni Band seems to be more in demand than the others. The director of this band Nazir Sohni, which was founded about the mid-30s by his father clarinettist Master Sohni Khan, fondly talks about the history of his band and the progress it has made since its establishment.
In a chat with me not long ago, he talked nostalgically and in details about the history and development of his band.
BR: You inherited Sohni Band from your father after his death in l973. Has it undergone any changes under your management, or does it still retain its old ambience?
Master Nazir Sohni. Yes, I took over the management of the Sohni Band after the demise of my father. But during his life, I used to assist him both in the management as well as its use at wedding festivities. My father, who was one of the most accomplished classical clarinettists of the sub-continent, groomed me in the art of clarinet playing, not only as a soloist but also as a lead clarinettist with the band.
It was during his lifetime that I was assigned the responsibilities of the leader of the band. Under his supervision, I practised this Western reed instrument for long hours daily until such time when he was satisfied that I had attained a certain level of proficiency in playing this velvety voice instrument.
The band has not changed much after the death of its founder, except that the uniforms of its members have been subjected to some alterations making more akin to needs of the fast changing time. One of the major assets of Sohni Band is the dedication of its members and the time spent by them in rehearsing new songs. My father used to say that the more time we spent in rehearsing a song the more attractive would become their renditions.
BR: WHEN WAS SOHNI BAND FOUNDED?
MNS: My father had a dream, which came true in 1934 when he founded a brass band of his own. Previously he had acquired some experience by working with another band of Lahore. It did not take him long to overcome all the organisational problems related to the management of a band.
Hard work, brilliant insight and a great deal of experimentation spread over a period of several years, equipped him well to turn his newly established band into a much sought-after outfit. My band is still the popularity it enjoyed during the days of my late father. Sometimes I have to politely decline engagement offers from my worthy clients.
BR. WHAT GOES IN THE MAKING OF A GOOD BRASS BAND?
MNS. Three factors went into the making of Sohni Band as an efficacious cultural and social equipment. These were recruitment of fresh talent, training its musicians, proper care of instruments, and the creation of an atmosphere of acceptance in the community. In addition, hard training for long hours, discipline among its members and punctuality were also taken into consideration by my late father. I also scrupulously follow the guidelines left behind by him..
BR. How far Sohni Band has been affected by the modern fad of pop music? Have you lost a large segment of clientele as a result of pop singers intrusions in your domain?
MNS. My band is still the most sought after in the city. Although pop singers have invaded our territory, yet the use of brass bands with marriage processions has not declined much. Residents in the walled city have not been affected by modern fad of pop singing. It is there that my band is mostly in demand. The nouve riches of modern colonies seem to have been taken in by pop singing but not on a large scale. I still receive inquiries from the residents of Gulberg, Faisal Town and the Defence area.
Besides, I get calls from several provincial towns about booking of my band by people from these areas. There are certain periods in the year when brass bands are not used. These are the summer months and holy months of Ramazan and the Ashura period of Moharram. The period when brass bands are busy the most are during the "season of weddings", which spans October, November. December and January provided the holy months of Moharram and Ramazan do not fall in these months.
BR. Do you lead the Sohni Band or have you trained any one from your offspring? In other words, have you passed this tradition on to your son(s)?
MNS. Like my father, I am also a practitioner of the art of classical music. If I am asked to play a raga or difficult songs composed by frontline melodists, I accept the invitation with pleasure.
You know if an artist knows is assured that a modicum of appreciation of his classical prowess by a knowledgeable audience, he cannot refuse an invitation to demonstrate it. I do the same. However, I have trained one of my sons and he has attained such proficiency as has enabled him to lead the band. In my absence, he leads the band. And you see! The family tradition has been passed on to the third generation.
Clarinettist Master Sohni Khan (1902-1973), who founded the Sohni Band, is still remembered and revered by denizens of Lahore as the ever-smiling, charming and splendid leader of his band. He used to delight them with his superb performances as well as by his quality of leadership, which helped in chiselling the distinct personality of Sohni Band.