Joy in the air

Check out the energising vibes of the Haqqani Maulid Ensemble.

FOR the Haqqani Maulid Ensemble, a world music group, this is the time to give Ramadan and Hari Raya an uplifting feel.

If you were to hang out with the guys from the ensemble, you’d most probably hear talk of how music is definitely therapy and why U2 (the Irish rock band) is definitely divine.

Of course, U2 has nothing to do with this bunch but good music, whether it was the result of one’s owns action or from another musician, was always worth a mention with this homegrown group, which is made up of no less than 15 men from various walks of life.

All together now: The Haqqani Maulid Ensemble is raring to go!

But first, introductions are in order.

The Haqqani Maulid Ensemble was founded in 1990 by Syed Zaidi Syed Zainal, 43, a businessman, who was introduced to the genre of music by Raja Datuk Seri Ashman Shah, the son of Sultan Azlan Shah, the present Sultan of Perak.

Describing the origin of the root sounds, the members, most of whom have enterprises in the advertising industry, found inspiration from the Sufi tradition which uses music, rhythm, and dance to reach particular states of consciousness.

The format this ensemble uses has a simple theme which centres on the “group jam” concept using the djembe, goblet drums, kompang, shaker, tambourine and flute to bring the listener to an aural “high”.

It is, as Hafiza Hakimi, 40, an ensemble member put it, “an ancient tune adapted to contemporary taste.”

To date, the ensemble has released two albums, Music for the Soul in 1998 and Devotions in 2008.

“We were formerly from a rock band, you know,” revealed Syed Zaidi on the origins of his ensemble’s musical backgrounds.

And herein, his surrounding brethren were quick to quip in that though they may be in a maulid ensemble, their aural diet still includes a smorgasbord of jazz, rhythm and blues and definitely rock.

“We’re pretty much rebels at heart,” quipped the guys.

Rocker at heart: Syed Zaidi Syed Zainal, who plays the djembe, founded the ensemble in 1990.

Explaining their stand, the ensemble members said that this project was an extension for them to explore their love for good music.

“Our group started in a very organic way. One of the reasons we got together was because we were searching for something to fill a void.

“Over time, the music became a source of therapy for us – a certain release from the stresses of life,” explained Ahmad Zafiruddin Abu Zakaria, 44, a member of the ensemble.

“The old Malays believed that music was a gift from the angels so that souls on earth can hear them in heaven.

“That is one reason why they played traditional instruments like drums to ask for the blessing of angels when there are joyous occasions,” pointed out Ahmad.

To describe the sounds of the Haqqani Maulid Ensemble, Hafiza would say that it has never failed to lift his spirits.

“There is magic, there is energy, there is joy. That is why I will tell you that we have never felt nervous before a gig because we know that we have to create a dimension within ourselves to have fun with the music so that the audience will also get into the mood. And that is how we get high on the music,” said Hafiza.

But in order to impart this robust feel to their music, the men admitted to going through physical workouts at the futsal court for 50 minutes every weekend.

“When you play for two hours non-stop, it can be very physically demanding. True we may be sitting down but you need energy to give your audience an aural ‘high’. A performance is likened to a workout by itself,” insisted Hafiza.

And though this high energy feel may be one of the ensemble’s trademark sounds, there is also another reason why they have chosen to maintain this. Hafiza would conclude by saying that it has something to do with translating positive feelings across to their listeners.

“What comes from the mouth goes to the ears, what comes from the heart goes to the heart,” was this musician’s simple theory.

Inadvertently, the question pops up. Why are there no girls in this ensemble?

Almost instantaneously, the guys went ‘woah’. So, was this an all-guy affair then?

Ahmad, who plays the darburka, bendir and kompang (all drums) would decide to tell all.

“Actually, it’s the girls who don’t want to join us,” he revealed.

Why?

Top notes: Muhd Alif Iskandar, a singer in the ensemble, demonstrates how he hits his musical ‘high’.

“To start with, we’re pretty uncouth,” said this drummer in jest.

And in a show of brotherhood solidarity, he would have the back-up of his brethren who all broke out in a loud roar of laughter.

Of course, there is a more viable and logical reason for this. Being part of an ensemble which required travelling would not augment too well with the female members in the Haqqani Foundation, which takes up two bungalows in Damansara Heights.

Again, it has nothing to do with gender bias issues but logistics. Most of the ladies, most of whom are wives of the members in this ensemble, are working mothers. It does not take a pro to figure out the difficulties of lugging equipment, body and offspring to performance venues where the accommodation can be rather questionable (read: sleeping in the car backseat).

“As if you don’t already know, girls are rather fussy ...” quipped one of the guys.

But if you really want to know what the ladies think, meet them on Thursday nights at 10.30pm at the Haqqani Foundation in 28, Jalan Setiabudi in Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur, where the ensemble have their weekly jam sessions.

According to Syed Zaidi, they make quite a formidable cheering team.

For show bookings during Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri, call 019-3810242.