Iraqi artists revive southern musical heritage in Baghdad concert

BAGHDAD — A group of Iraqi artists performed a night of traditional southern music at the King Faisal Hall in Baghdad’s Bab Al-Muadham area, showcasing heritage styles including Hayawi, Muhammadi, and Bayat.

The concert was organized by Iraq’s Department of Musical Arts and led by maestro Ali Khassaf. Performers included Younis Al-Oboudi, Hala Bassam, Rand Jassim, Hassan Jassim, Youssef Al-Rubaie, Muneer Al-Amaratli, Zakariya Adi Salam, Ammar Al-Arabi, and Hussein Jabbar.

Khassaf told 964media that Iraq’s musical heritage requires sustained work to preserve. “The musical map of Iraq is well-known, and reviving its heritage cannot be done with one or two concerts. It requires continuous festivals,” he said.

He added that the Department of Musical Arts had resumed its activities after a long pause, and though he is now retired, he continues to volunteer.

“Reviving heritage is a big responsibility. It’s the responsibility of the whole country,” Khassaf said. He added that with modest means, the group seeks to improve public taste and bring smiles to audiences.

Performer Muneer Al-Amaratli said the group aimed to highlight southern rural styles at risk of fading, such as Sabi, Hayawi, Muhammadi, and Bayat.

Khassaf said these traditional forms, once oral traditions, have become a fixture of Iraqi culture and continue to offer “genuine culture” to the audience.