Balochi music is the sound of the mountains, deserts and coast of Balochistan. It is the deep cry of the suroz, the bright notes of the benju and the heavy beat of the dohol. For centuries it has been sung at weddings, played around fires at night and used to tell the stories of heroes and lovers. Today, young Baloch artists are taking it to millions of listeners around the world.
In this guide you will learn about Balochi musical instruments, the different types of Balochi songs, and the famous singers who made this music loved across generations.
Balochi Musical Instruments
| Instrument | What it is |
|---|---|
| Suroz | A bowed string instrument with a deep, emotional sound. It is the heart of traditional Balochi music and the most important accompanying instrument. Musicians traditionally learned it within their own families. |
| Benju | A keyed string instrument with a bright, ringing sound. It became very popular in the 20th century and is one of the signature sounds of modern Balochi songs. |
| Tamburag | A long-necked string instrument that gives a steady drone, used to accompany singing and dances such as the chaap. |
| Dohol | A large drum that gives the strong rhythm for dancing and celebrations. |
| Sorna | A loud wind instrument often played at weddings, together with the suroz and dohol. |
| Ghaychak and rubab | Other traditional string instruments heard in Balochi music in different regions. |
Types of Balochi Songs
Balochi music has a song for almost every part of life:
- Zahirok: songs of longing and separation, among the oldest forms of Balochi music. Some scholars, including Gul Khan Nasir, believe zahiroks were first created by women.
- Sher: long epic songs about heroes and battles, once sung by professional minstrels called pahlawan.
- Liko: songs of separation, sung at celebrations with circle dances.
- Nazenk: gentle, often sad songs of longing, usually sung without instruments.
- Halo and lado: joyful songs for weddings and family celebrations.
- Lilo: lullabies sung by mothers to their children.
- Motk: songs of mourning for the dead.
- Amba and lewa: songs of the fishermen of the Makran coast. Lewa is also an upbeat style for weddings and festivals.
- Gwati and related songs: traditional healing songs performed in ceremonies.
The Chaap: Balochi Dance
The chaap is the most famous Balochi dance. Dancers move in a circle, clapping and stepping together to the rhythm of the dohol, with the suroz, sorna and tamburag playing along. At weddings and on Baloch Culture Day, the chaap brings everyone together, young and old.
Famous Balochi Singers
Faiz Mohammad Baloch (1901 – 1982)
Born in Qasr-e Qand in Iranian Balochistan, Faiz Mohammad Baloch is one of the legends of Balochi folk music. He performed Balochi music on stages around the world, including in France, Spain, the United States, the Soviet Union, South Korea, Indonesia and Lebanon. In 1979 he received Pakistan's Pride of Performance award. He passed away in Quetta in 1982.
Noor Muhammad Nooral
From Noshki, Noor Muhammad Nooral recorded his first album in 1970 and went on to record around 220 albums. He is loved for his revolutionary songs and romantic classics like "Yak Bare Dost." (Read our full biography of Noor Muhammad Nooral!)
Ustad Abdul Sattar Baloch (c. 1951 – 2006)
A beloved singer of Lyari, Karachi, Abdul Sattar Baloch began his career in the early 1970s and became known as the voice of his people's feelings and struggles. He performed abroad, including a concert in Sweden in 2000, and opened a music club to teach young people, because he cared deeply about the future of Balochi music. He passed away in Lyari in 2006.
Noor Khan Bizanjo (1969 – 2003)
Born in Pasni on the Makran coast, Noor Khan Bizanjo trained under Ustad Abdul Sattar Baloch and became one of the most loved young voices of his time. He mastered both classical and modern Balochi styles, and his duets with singer Arif Baloch were very popular. His albums include Alhaan, Aadeink and Zaheerani Razan. He was also a poet and a teacher. His death at just 33 was a great loss for Balochi music.
Akhtar Chanal Zahri (born 1954)
Born in Khuzdar, Akhtar Chanal Zahri was discovered by the Balochi service of Radio Pakistan. His song "Deer Deer" aired on national television in 1974, and his famous "Dana Pe Dana" became known across Pakistan. He has performed on Coke Studio Pakistan, sang for the Bollywood film Mirzya (2016), and received the Pride of Performance award in 1998.
Kaifi Khalil (born 1996)
Raised in Lyari, Karachi, in a family of Baloch musicians, Kaifi Khalil is the biggest Balochi music star of the new generation. His song "Kahani Suno 2.0" (2022) topped Spotify charts in Pakistan, Bangladesh and India and became the first Pakistani music video to reach the YouTube Global Top 10. The same year he sang "Kana Yaari" on Coke Studio Season 14 with Eva B and Abdul Wahab Bugti, bringing Balochi lyrics to audiences all over the world.
Lyari: The Music Capital of the Baloch
Karachi's historic Baloch neighbourhood, Lyari, has produced generations of musicians. For decades it was home to musical evenings, music clubs and recording studios, and many of the most famous Balochi singers, from Ustad Abdul Sattar Baloch to Kaifi Khalil, grew up there.
Balochi Music Today
Balochi music is changing fast. Young artists mix traditional melodies with pop, rap and electronic sounds, and share their songs on YouTube, Spotify and TikTok. Coke Studio has introduced Balochi music to new audiences, and Baloch musicians now tour in Europe and the Gulf. At the same time, many families still keep the old songs alive at weddings and gatherings.
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| Balochi suroz and dohol – traditional Balochi music instruments |
How to Support Balochi Musicians
- Listen on the artist's official YouTube channel or streaming page.
- Share their music with friends and on social media.
- Attend live programmes and cultural events.
- Encourage children to learn traditional instruments like the suroz and benju.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important Balochi instrument?
The suroz, a bowed string instrument, is considered the heart of traditional Balochi music.
What is the famous Balochi dance called?
The chaap, a circle dance performed with the dohol, suroz and other instruments.
Who sang Kahani Suno?
Kaifi Khalil, a Baloch singer from Lyari, Karachi.
Who is the most famous Balochi folk singer?
Legends include Faiz Mohammad Baloch, Noor Muhammad Nooral, Ustad Abdul Sattar Baloch and Akhtar Chanal Zahri.
Who is your favourite Balochi singer? Tell us in the comments and share your favourite song!
Sources: Wikipedia (Balochi music; Faiz Mohammad Baloch; Abdul Sattar Baloch; Noor Khan Bizanjo; Akhtar Chanal Zahri; Kaifi Khalil), Geo News.
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