Push to get Kashmir’s Sufiyana Music on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list is picking up steam. Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir,made formal request. In letter to Gajendra Singh Shekhawat,Union Minister of Culture,Abdullah emphasized this music's significance. He called it a vital part of region's cultural and spiritual identity.
Abdullah explained Sufiyana music,with Sufiana Kalam and Sufiana Mousiqi,is deeply connected to Sufi thought. It's been channel for harmony and cultural dialogue over centuries. He believes UNESCO recognition would honor this “priceless cultural legacy” and be a pride point for India.
From 14th to 15th centuries,Sufiyana music emerged as continuation of pre-Islamic practices in Kashmir. Saleem Beg,head of Kashmir chapter of INTACH, noted this genre blended with local traditions rather than replacing them . It combines Persian, Central Asian, and Indian elements, shaped by local sensibilities,bridging cultures like Persian, Islamic,and Shaivite.
14th century saw major cultural exchange in Kashmir. Sufi saints, scholars,musicians from Iran and Bukhara brought fresh musical ideas . This gave rise to classical form unique to Kashmir. But now,this art form is at risk. From about fifty maqams, akin to Indian ragas, just 20-25 remain in practice.
Despite fewer practitioners,Sufiyana music thrives in local mehfils, though only select gharanas from Budgam,Srinagar,and Anantnag often invited. Tradition is mostly oral, adding to its distinctiveness .
Musically,Sufiyana Mausiki starts with instrumental prelude followed by a poem sung without rhythm. Main lyrics, ‘Bathe’, in couplets fit maqam and tala cycles. Ensemble usually has five to seven musicians,both vocal and instrumental. Instruments like santoor, ney, harmonium, rabab,tabla,and sitar crucial,each adding unique tones. Sufiana santoor,known for its 100 strings, sits on a triangular stand.
If Union Ministry of Culture gives green light,a detailed nomination dossier will be prepped. It will lay out research, documentation needed for submission. This dossier then goes to Sangeet Natak Akademi in New Delhi for review,before heading to UNESCO for final consideration. Beg insisted Kashmiri Sufiyana Music meets UNESCO’s criteria for Intangible Cultural Heritage. This classical form,deeply rooted in Sufi mysticism, reflects Kashmir’s rich, composite culture…
