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INSTRUMENT-MAKER Adnan Abdul Rahman Al Sadah is determined to ensure the ‘sawt’ of the sea and the sounds of Bahrain are kept alive for future generations to enjoy.
His workshop in Gudaibiya is the only one on the island to create the handmade Arabic ‘king of instruments’ and its strings which are lovingly showcased in his shop on Exhibition Road in Manama.
Ouds have been hanging elegantly from the walls of the Music Spot store since the 1980s and the display draws tourists from all over the world … although demand for the instrument has fallen away in recent years as young local musicians become seduced by Western styles.
Mr Al Sadah, a father-of-five from Muharraq, said: “The oud is the ‘sawt’ (voice) of Bahrain. It is an instrument that will forever remain a part of the kingdom’s art and culture. We should cherish this beautiful instrument.
“While the kingdom has always been supportive of my trade, sadly, nowadays the oud business in Bahrain is weak. I end up selling more ouds abroad. We simply do not have as many oud lovers here anymore.
“There are still some young Bahrainis that choose the oud over the guitar but many do not appear to have the patience required and expect to master it instantly. They don’t understand or appreciate that it needs determination and commitment and there are some excellent oud instructors more than willing to help them succeed.”
Mr Al Sadah’s store originally opened selling carpets and perfumes 90 years ago under the supervision of his grandfather but over the generations music became a passion firstly with records and cassettes and later musical instruments with the oud becoming its number one seller.
The ‘wooden lutes’ were imported from Egypt and Syria. He said: “When I noticed the growing demand in Bahrain I thought, ‘why not make it ourselves?’ Also, the quality and finishing of the ouds produced in Egypt at the time were not very good.
“Our ouds are handcrafted at the Bahrain Musical Instrument Factory and all of our instruments have the word Bahraini imprinted on them. My men pay close attention to detail and take extra care with every single piece of wood that is used to create these beautiful sounding wooden lutes.
“Every oud is different depending on the wood used. Rosewood will give a different sound than cedar and ebony for example.
“I can customise ouds for whoever walks into my shop as I have for many professionals. I make sure to offer a variety of choices. If you give me a request I don’t make one and say ‘OK, this is what you wanted’. I will make, say three, and ask the musician to play them before deciding which is the right one for him or her.”
Acclaimed Saudi Arabian singer, musician and record producer Rashed Al Majed is one of many international celebrities to have purchased a ‘Bahraini’ oud alongside leading members of royal families across the Arab world.
Al Sadah added: “I have had many famous visitors to my store and it is always a pleasure to see the Bahraini oud being played on television or in restaurants.
“My plea to Bahrain is please continue to back the art of the oud. This is my family business and I will not even dream of shutting it down. We hope to make Music Spot a landmark for all tourists to learn more about the beauty that is the oud.”
