The simplicity in his pure, classical Arabic (‘Fus’ha’), though highly literary, was heart-warming and hard to come across. Percussionist Faisal Zedan may seem like a typical Arabic musician with international exposure, but his background is unusual.
Faisal is ‘Druze’ or ‘Durouz’. A less-explored, tiny community in the Middle East, especially around Syria, Lebanon and Palestine.
Originally said to be an off-shoot of Shia Ismaili Islam, the community, along with sharing monotheistic principles with their fellow Arabs, imbibes wisdom from diverse teachings that include the three Abrahamic faiths (Islam, Judaism and Christianity), Greek and even Hindu philosophy.
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This community believes in ‘taqammus’ or reincarnation similar to Indic teachings, and emphasises core principles such as peace, loyalty and purity.
Excerpts from an interview.
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What does Arabic music mainly comprise ?
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It broadly comprises many different genres such as classical, urban, folk and dance music. It is based on the ‘Maqam’ system of melodies.
What about your musical heritage?
I was born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1972 and moved to southern Syria, where I grew up in a small village, and imbibed the ‘Druze traditional music.’ It is Arabic in feel, rhythm and language, sharing elements of Bedouin music and musical traditions of greater Syria, which includes Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan.
In my local tradition, drums were not used often, nor popular Arabic melodic instruments. They used the old spiked fiddle with one string, the double reed whistle, single reed whistle and frame drums for women’s singing.
Although I come from a folk tradition, I learnt Arabic, Middle Eastern and eventually world music. I retained the folk part and wove in the different aspects.
How did you learn the derbekki (drum)?
I began learning the drum when I was 15 years old. A sudden inspiration led me on a journey of self teaching and exposure to a wide variety of Middle Eastern, Indian, Persian and Greek music.
The drum’s history can be traced to Egypt, Syria and Iraq. Originally made of clay and fish skin, the instrument now has an aluminium body and fibre glass head.
Is the Arabic derbekki different from the Turkish version?
It’s the same. The Turks took it to be a part of their tradition. There are two main models — the old clay and the old metal drum with screws on the outside. But the Turkish and Arabic playing styles are different.
Who are the famous artistes you have performed with or accompanied?
Syrian singers like Abboud Bashir, Shadi Jameel, Egyptian violinist Alfred Gameel, Turkish clarinet maestro Selim Sesler, French Qanoun virtuoso Julien Wise among others.
Are international audiences receptive to Arabic music?
Yes they are receptive to both Arabic music and dance. Moreover, after the World Trade Center (twin towers) attacks in U.S., Arabic music helped us to maintain a human image. The derbekki drum is popular worldwide, because of which I have been teaching students, who come from different places.
The writer, a multi-linguist, is an international performer and composer