AR Bhat
The Kashmir Valley which separates the Himalayan and Pir Panjal Mountain Ranges, is an assembly of North West India, Pakistan and Central Asia. The grandeur of this surrounding manifests itself in Kashmiri people’s music. The notes describe the beauty of nature which echoes in the numerous lakes, water falls, mountain ranges, forest land & pasture land.The Music of J&K displays its wealthy musical history and cultural legacy. Traditionally the songs composed in the ethnic Kashmiri verses have a huge variety of musical compositions. Due to Kashmir’s proximity to Central and Eastern Asia, a complete unique mixture in music of advance composition is experienced with the influence of the two regions. The state of J & K boasts of a wealthy culture & heritage, beautiful handicrafts, plenty of mouth watering delicacies, traditions, festivities, soothing music and dance. The music of J&K is characterized via way of means of a few extraordinary musical instruments, dance forms and making a song composition, which might be exceptional from the people’s lifestyle of another Indian state, and are essential to each Kashmiri, the music of J&K may be widely categorized as music in Jammu and music in the Kashmir Valley. In Jammu the music is much like the North Indian Music, at the same time in the Kashmir Valley the music is much like of Central Asia. Folk music is performed on various occasions to include the child Birth, weddings, and all festivals. Music & Dance as a way of life in Kashmir has a cultural history of around 1000 years and it has a stunning mixture of Hindu, Muslim and Buddhists Cultures.
The classical music in J&K consists of Sufiana Kalam or Kashmiri Classical and Hindustani classical. Sufiana Kalam has its own set of ragas (referred to as Maqam) and santoor, a 100-stringed percussion tool is used as the primary instrument. The other instruments like Kashmiri Saz, the Sitar, Wasool and Pokra also add to the uniqueness of Kashmiri music.
Chakri is a famous music form in J&K in which Hindus along with Muslim Kashmiris perform this music form as a part of Secular Ceremonies and Folk Lifestyle. Chakri is basically used to recite stories and musical instruments used in this music from includes the Rubab, Harmonium, Sarangi, Nout, Geger, Chimta and Tumbaknaer. Rouf which includes speedy notes, is performed to finish a Chakri during Henna Nights for the bride during Kashmiri weddings.
Ladishah is a sarcastic form of composing a song in which the modern social and political situations are portrayed with a tint of humor via songs. Usually, singers travel from one village to another for the duration of the harvest season and compose the songs impromptu.
Henzae is performed by Kashmiri Pandits during the festivals which is also the oldest music of its kind. Rouf is a form of music which also involves dance and is typically performed by ladies during Eid, marriages and other festivities. Rouf consists of dancing & singing simultaneously and no musical instrument is involved in this. The ladies arrange themselves in rows, where each row is formed up by a group of five to six ladies. Each row of ladies then sway at the same time while singing the Rouf tunes. Rouf is also known as Wanwun when is performed during the marriages. Kashmir has had a wealthy and rich musical culture which date back to centuries. The erstwhile Brahman groups performed songs which were similar to the Indian classical music. Later the introduction of Sufism has given a brand-new tint to the style of music in Kashmir.
