by Meryl Mathew

Music is a divine blessing from the soul and the passion to produce beautiful music is a treasure that only a few pursue. It takes years of dedication and practice to learn an instrument and be good at it.

With musical concerts and events being on the rise in Kuwait, instrumental musicians have taken various platforms in awe. Discover how each of these musicians have a beautiful story on how they discovered their instrument and found their identity in it.

Handpan A combination of the Caribbean steelpan and Indian ghatam, originally named Hang.

Being a recording artist and multi-instrumentalist musician Tarek Kabbani (@turkhimself) soon discovered that the Handpan was his way to indulge deeper into his music and create a pure form of expression with his art. Over the last three years he has played the handpan at various venues around Kuwait, Dubai, Beirut and Goa and has created quite the spark. “It was in 2006 when I first heard of the Hang drum, the father of the Handpan and I spent ten years researching about it and searching for the right moment to have one of my own” The handpan creates a unique vibration that no other instrument can, due to its hand hammered tuning which produces its gorgeous overtones and undertones. “My latest discovery of the Pantam which is a refined version of the handpan, tells me that I have only begun my journey in discovering and unlocking my identity and destiny with this instrument.”

The Harp An ancient musical instrument, the harp is played by plucking its strings with the fingers and pressing its pedals using the feet.

Violeta Shabanliyska met the Harp at the age of ten. Her introduction to the harp was supposed to be temporary, but turned into becoming her life’s passion over her 11 years of training and graduation from the National School and National University of Music in Bulgaria as a harpist and classical musician. “I’m a very fortunate person, I have had a very colorful lifestyle as a musician, traveling and participating in venues all around Europe. Since I moved to Kuwait in 2008 I have been even more lucky with opportunities in introducing the Harp to Kuwait.” Indeed, Kuwait is lucky to have her, as its quite rare to find a musician who believes that the harp completes her personality which is both sensitive and full of emotion. Her harp, be it the electric or acoustic version, creates a magical and special feeling to both the musician and the audience.

The Cajon A percussion instrument originally from Peru, played by slapping its faces with the hands or fingers.

Mebin Mathews (@mebzz) first came across the Cajon in 2012 at a church service in Kuwait. He knew then that he had to get his hands on it and learn how to play it. “I began to research and watch online tutorials to pick up the speed and rhythm of tapping onto wooden surfaces.” This was the self-inspiration that lead Mebin to pursue his passion for music through the Cajon. Finally, when he felt ready in 2017 he sought out to buy a professional Cajon but could not find one in Kuwait, so when he took a trip to Spain he fulfilled a dream that he carried for five years, a Cajon by the Spanish brand ‘La Rosa Percussion’. Since then Mebin has been performing at various platforms with local bands such as the Musiq beats and KEF Orchestra. His performance is an interesting affair as it includes a fusion mix with Indian music that brings a special tone.

Violin A wooden string instrument with a hollow wooden body played by drawing a bow across its strings.

Sheikha Al-Wotaid (@shaikha_alwotaid) has trained with a lot of passion since the age of 12 and over the years has made it a point to practice and learn as fast as she can every time her teacher taught her a new piece. It is only because of this dedication that she practiced for ten years, let her reach a stage where she finally felt satisfied. “You don’t choose your instrument but the instrument chooses you. This is a phrase that I truly believe in as the violin was also an unexpected entry into my life at the age of four.” Thus giving her the confidence to perform at various concerts with other musicians over the years which in-turn lead her to her own concerts across Kuwait, as well as studying the effect of music on the mind. “The violin has been like the perfect person to have a reasonable conversation with, that’s how I feel when I hold my instrument as it explains what’s in my soul.”

Harmonica A wind instrument played by blowing or drawing air into its holes along the mouth piece.

It was during Shadi Al Mahallawy’s (@thebluesy3rd) third year in college that he first came across the harmonica through a sitcom, where the lead actor played the blues. “The tune moved me so much, I just fell in love with it.” It took Shadi about three years to self-learn the instrument and there was even a phase where he gave up because he was stuck in a rut, but when he came back to Kuwait, he decided to peruse it further. The day he recorded his first song in 2016 was finally the beginning of his journey. Shadi has since then played at various venues in Kuwait and entertained with genres like Jazz, Blues, and Country. His favorite being the Blues. “You can make it weep. You can make it wail. That’s the power of the Blues. I always keep a harmonica on me, you never know when the jam will hit.” This is what makes his musical expression unique as he believes in the power of a conversation through music.

Saxophone A woodwind instrument usually made of brass and played with a single –reed mouth piece.

“I was inspired by Michael Jackson but my voice was not apt, so I decided to learn the saxophone which was an instrument that could sing the range and frequency of the human vocals.” Hassan Ali (@toosaxy) who is also a music producer has been part of the Arabic Pop band Flamingo and Latin Band Stylis. His most recent venture is the Sheyaab, a band that infuses comedy in music. It is this creativity in music that makes him loved all over Kuwait, around GCC and some cities in the US and UK where he has performed. “Sometimes you play your style at a venue, like my favorite has been Latin and Pop but I make it a point to also see what the audience likes” His motto to follow the audience taste, makes his music loved.

Flute A family under the woodwind group that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening.

Smithosh first saw the flute in his fifth grade at a village fair where he heard it being played by a flute seller. He was fascinated and bought one. After a few years he did manage to play a few tunes but it was not enough for his craving. That was when one of his family friends introduced him to his first flute master, Mr. Murali. His professional training in Karnatic music began then and he trained until his 12th grade, after which he trained under Mr. Chalakudy Reghunathan. When he came to Kuwait with work, the flute became a companion during his bachelor days and also gave him his first concert with a violinist. “I have not thought of another instrument because, when I play, it gives me and my audience a sense of happiness that is difficult to describe.”

Meryl Mathew is a Logistician by profession, a writer by passion and an upcycling hobbyist. She involves herself in a lot of multi-cultural events across Kuwait. You can find her on Muckrack (meryl-mathew) and on Instagram @Meryl_elizebeth_mathew or @create.kuwait.