31 March 2006
Monash University academic Dr Ahmad Sarmast has developed an ambitious project to revive and rebuild music and music education in his native Afghanistan.
He said music in that country suffered greatly because of 30 years of civil war and a complete ban on music and musicians (music was deemed anti-Islamic) during the six-year Taliban rule that ended in 2002.
Dr Sarmast, the first Afghan to gain a PhD in music, which he completed at Monash in 2005, has retained close links with the Afghan music community. His late father, Ustad Sarmast, was one of the country's most respected composers and musicians.
After 15 years of living in exile, Dr Sarmast returned to Afghanistan late last year to assess the current state of music and music education in the country. He believes music would contribute greatly to the healing of his traumatised nation.
"The revival of music and music education is essential in bringing about democratic reforms in Afghanistan," he said.
Among Dr Sarmast's aims is the establishment of a centre in Kabul, with an office at Monash, to supervise the process of rebuilding music in Afghanistan.
The project has already earned the support of Afghan government officials, national and international non-government organisations and many musicians.
The central body, to be headed by Dr Sarmast, would work with an advisory panel of Afghan musicians, Western music scholars and representatives from government institutions responsible for music and music education in Afghanistan .
There are also plans for a permanent vocational secondary school of music and higher-degree music conservatorium at the University of Kabul.
The project has been initiated by the Monash Asia Institute, where Dr Sarmast is an Honorary Research Fellow, Monash's School of Music - Conservatorium and Professor Patricia Rich, Director of the Monash Science Centre.
"Thirty years of civil war did not pass without leaving an imprint on the music culture of Afghanistan . Music and music traditions declined, many great masters of Afghan music died or migrated to different parts of the world," he said.
"The revival of music, the musicians' quarter, music educational institutions and the creation of music ensembles and orchestras is an essential part of the rebuilding of the country."
For information contact Dr Ahmad Sarmast, Monash Asia Institute on +61 3 9905 4992 or Ms Karen Stichtenoth, Media Communications on +61 3 9905 1253.
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