Ustad Noor Bakhsh (live @Le Guess Who? 2023)

Ustad Noor Bakhsh is a master of the balochi benju, a unique instrument looking at first glance like a zither with old typewriter keys attached, said to originate from the one-time ubiquity in Balochistan of a Japanese plastic toy instrument, the taishōgoto. Ustad Noor Bakhsh - Balochi benju Doshambay - damboora Setlist: -Saachan (Trad.) -Dhun Bhairvi (Trad.) -Chogan (Trad.) -Dhannu (Trad.) Ustad Noor Bakhsh began playing aged 12 and has since assimilated a wide style-repertoire reflecting influences from the Arab Peninsula, Iran, Pakistan and India, playing at countless weddings and events and spending thirty years as accompanist for popular Balochi singer, Sabzal Sami. Now in his 70s he’s finally gaining international attention. For Bakhsh his music connects with something more elemental that perhaps lends it its timeless appeal. “Birds make different kinds of sounds, but it’s about how they are memorized in the imagination,” he concludes. “You see it’s about how one can find inspiration from them to create original tunes. When I hear the birds sing, I try to tune my benju to their voices.” Editors: Melchior Huurdeman, Aad van Nieuwkerk, Sakti Khedoe Camera & lighting: Marijn Zurburg, Ramon de Boer, Marjolein Hoitinga Sound: Philip ten Brink & Rens van Waterschoot Producer: Jorinde Hiddema/Pippa Harris Director/Editing Reinier Bruijne This video was recorded at Bibliotheek Neude Utrecht 2023 for VPRO Vrije Geluiden: music program made by the Dutch public broadcast organization VPRO full session: ​ ​​ twitter, instagram @vrijegeluiden. #ustadnoorbakhsh #vrijegeluiden #balochibenju #benju #taishogoto #balochistan #folkmusic #pakistan #npo2extra #bibliotheekneude #leguesswho “