PESHAWAR: Once a colourful hub for cultural events, the hujra (visitor house) of Bahadar Khan in Mohib Banda village, Nowshera, now stands nearly abandoned because of the growing influence of social media adversely affected the regional music in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Historically, this hujra hosted weekly concert events during weddings and celebrations, drawing local audiences keen to enjoy live tune performances and hook up with one another.
Bahadar Khan, who has kept his hujra open when you consider that 2000 in honour of his father’s legacy, cited that interest from the youth has diminished because of social media onslaught. “The doors of my hujra are nonetheless open for cultural applications, however social media and in-house gatherings have diminished the passion for musical occasions,” he lamented. Bahadar recalled the days while renowned artists like Khayal Muhammad and Ustad Rafiq Shinwari captivated audiences.
Now, site visitors encountered empty chairs wherein as soon as there were active crowds discussing both local and global issues. Local singer Shahzaib Khan, who started out his career at this hujra, recounted the decline in stay music activities because of social media’s occurrence, emphasizing the importance of cultural gatherings for fostering a tolerant and vibrant network.
Bakhtzada Khan, a senior studies officer at the archaeology and museums department, talked about that hujra way of life dates again approximately 5,000 years in KP, gambling a huge role in Pashtun traditions and social brotherly love. The hujra has been depicted as more than only a accumulating region and is a middle for studying and a space for instilling cultural values. Notable Pashto poets have diagnosed its importance in their works, underscoring its role in the renovation of music and traditions.
As internet utilization in Pakistan surges—with over 111 million users and a considerable wide variety enticing with social media—conventional cultural practices face demanding situations. The incidence of structures like Facebook and TikTok in addition shifted attention faraway from local music. Khayal Muhammad, a leading parent in Pashto ghazal, described the hujra as the spine of Pashtun society, warning that the decline of this cultural organization is tantamount of loss for the whole community.
Pride of performance, actor Javed Babar emphasized that at the same time as other cultures may have network centers, for the Pashtuns, the hujra serves as a crucial space for ethical studying and cultural engagement. Community leaders believed revitalizing the hujra and nearby track is conceivable.
They recommended integrating Wi-Fi and current services to attract children to hujra, thereby letting them mixture enjoyment with cultural training beneath the steerage of elders. They known as at the KP authorities to implement a comprehensive plan to rejuvenate hujra lifestyle and nearby track, offering the status quo of libraries, game rooms, and assembly areas equipped with internet get right of entry to and necessary furnishings to assist young artists and musicians.
