Marfa is a form of celebratory rhythmic music and dance among the Hyderabadi Muslims in the Deccan region adapted from Afro-Arab music of Hadhramawt in Yemen.
It was introduced during 18th century in Hyderabad State by the East Africa Siddi, who used to serve as cavalry guards in Asaf Jahi Nizams' irregular army. The Asaf Jahi Nizams patronized marfa music and it was performed during official celebrations and ceremonies as they also claimed Arab ancestry from the first Caliph Abu Bakr Siddique through the Bayafandi Clan of Asir province in Arabia. It became popular in India, particularly in Hyderabad state. It was brought there by the diaspora of and Hadhrami people.
The associated marfa dance is typically performed with janbiya daggers and/or Talwar (swords) and latts (canes), and it is likely to have been derived from the Bar'a () dance of Yemen.
Origin
Marfa is a
Yemeni Arabic word used for the
kettledrum.
Due to the
Hadhrami people people's influence on the culture of the
, the word
marfa became a symbol of the music played using the kettledrum.
[ British-Yemeni Society: Traditional music in the Yemen ] Kettledrums are replaced with
Handi kettledrums
in the
Siddi form of
marfa music played in Hyderabad,
India.
Forms
Marfa music is created from three different musical rhythmic beats also called
teen maar taal.
A typical dance involves jiggling with
and based on the music's tempo and rhythm.
[ Welcome to the Telangana ] The music is performed only by men, whereas dances and jiggling are common among both men and women.
Popular marfa rhythms include:
-
sewari
-
bamb sheklah
-
ya abu bakar-ya abu salah
-
salaam almukallah
-
jumbali zimbali
-
benazeer benazeer
-
ahlan wasahlan
Popularity
Playing
marfa has become popular in Hyderabad and it is considered a traditional sign of welcome.
Since 1951, it is performed officially by the government of India as part of the annual celebration on the occasions of Independence Day and Republic Day at
Red Fort,
New Delhi,
India.
It is also played at Hyderabadi Muslim weddings, with great fervour.
See also
-
Marfa (instrument)
-
Hyderabadi Muslim
-
Chaush
External links
