A Pakistani family has received funding and technical support from the Mozilla Foundation to preserve its centuries-old musical heritage. The project, called Infinite Raag, aims to document traditional singing techniques and explore their scientific aspects.
The initiative is being led by Rauf Saami of the Saami Brothers. His father, Ustad Naseeruddin Saami, is guiding the project with his extensive musical experience.
The family has practised traditional forms of qawwali and khayal for generations. Their musical knowledge includes complex melodies, precise pitch variations, and distinctive vocal techniques.
Through Infinite Raag, the Pakistani family hopes to preserve this knowledge for future generations. The project will also examine how traditional musical training affects performers physically and artistically.
Mozilla selected the Saami family among 20 recipients of its first Artists Make Technology grants. The programme supports artists who use technology to explore creative and cultural projects.
The initiative is being developed with the Centre for Cultural Vibrancy. The nonprofit organisation works with traditional artists and promotes cultural exchange.
Combining Music, Technology and Research
Infinite Raag will use an artist-owned system to record and analyse musical performances. It combines sound recordings with biometric information collected from performers.
Researchers plan to record extended vocal performances by Ustad Naseeruddin Saami and his senior students. The system will synchronise audio recordings, biometric sensors, and a microtonal pitch tracker.
This technology will help researchers examine musical details that conventional systems may overlook. Many Western music systems use a 12-tone framework.
However, the Saami tradition uses much finer pitch distinctions. Ustad Naseeruddin is known for working with a system involving 49 notes.
Artificial intelligence tools will also help analyse the recordings. These tools will identify moments of musical coherence and transcendence.
The research will examine how demanding khayal training influences the human body. It will also explore the physical effects of long-term vocal practice.
Preserving an 800-Year-Old Musical Tradition
The Saami family belongs to the Qawwal Bacha Gharana. Its musical lineage extends back more than 800 years.
The tradition is historically associated with Persian poet Amir Khusrow. The family has preserved its musical practices through generations of performers.
Ustad Naseeruddin Saami is considered one of the few remaining masters of this traditional style. His work received recognition from the Aga Khan Music Awards last year.
He has described his musical practice as a form of prayer through breath.
Rauf Saami said his father had devoted his life to finding truth through sur, or melody. The project aims to protect the knowledge accumulated through his lifelong musical journey.
Infinite Raag also seeks to address concerns about the use of artificial intelligence in cultural preservation. It aims to ensure artists maintain control over their recordings and cultural knowledge.
In other related news also read Pakistani Family Sets Unique Guinness World Record
By combining traditional expertise with modern technology, the Pakistani family hopes to create a lasting record of its musical heritage. The initiative could also help researchers better understand the relationship between music, human performance, and cultural traditions.
