Sufi Music, Fine Arts and Kashmir’s Cultural Heritage Dominate Final Day Proceedings
Shoukat Sahil
Srinagar, May 17:The three-day conference titled “Travelling Museum & Cultural Festival”, organised by the Kasheer History Foundation at Hotel Nehrus in Srinagar, concluded on Sunday with the final day dedicated to Kashmiri music, traditional musical instruments, Sufi music, fine arts, painting, colours, canvas and the Valley’s rich cultural and civilisational heritage. Scholars, artists, musicians and intellectuals shared their views on the historical and cultural significance of Kashmir’s artistic traditions.
The concluding day featured lectures, presentations, artistic discussions, question-answer sessions and interactive exchanges focusing on Kashmir’s spiritual ethos, artistic legacy and centuries-old musical traditions. The proceedings were moderated by young researcher and science scholar Neher Aseem Parimoo, while a large number of artists, musicians, painters, writers and cultural enthusiasts attended the event.
Session One
Musical Instruments of Kashmir
The opening session of the final day focused on Kashmiri music, Sufi traditions and traditional musical instruments. The session was chaired by renowned Kashmiri Sufi singer Gulzar Ahmad Ganai, while Prof. Muzaffar Bhat from the Department of Music, University of Kashmir, delivered a detailed lecture on the historical background of Kashmiri music, its classical traditions, Sufi influences and the cultural importance of traditional musical instruments.
Prof. Muzaffar Bhat stated that Kashmiri Sufiana Kalam possesses its own distinct identity, unique maqams and deep spiritual influence. He said that instruments such as the Santoor, Rubab, Saz-e-Kashmir, Dokra, Tumbaknari, Nout, Sarangi and several other traditional instruments have remained an integral part of Kashmir’s musical tradition for centuries.
He observed that although many of these instruments reached Kashmir from Central Asia, Kashmiri artists absorbed them into the Valley’s own cultural and spiritual traditions, giving them a distinct Kashmiri identity. According to him, the migration of Kashmiri Pandits during different historical periods also had a deep connection with the transmission of Kashmiri music, parts of which travelled to South India and became embedded in local musical traditions there. He remarked that notable similarities can still be observed between Carnatic music and Kashmiri classical music.
Prof. Bhat expressed concern that many traditional Kashmiri musical instruments are gradually losing their original identity and that authentic literature related to these traditions has not been properly preserved. He noted that much of Kashmir’s musical history survived primarily through oral transmission from generation to generation. Through historical references and visual presentations, he traced the evolution, spiritual foundations and cultural continuity of Kashmiri music.
Presenting his presidential remarks, renowned Sufi singer Gulzar Ahmad Ganai said that Kashmir’s Sufi and classical music traditions hold a unique place in the world of music because they are deeply rooted in spirituality, love and humanism. He stated that Kashmiri artists not only adopted musical instruments from Central Asia but also developed remarkable traditions of crafting, repairing and performing them.
He added that these traditional instruments are made from Kashmir’s distinctive wood, clay and indigenous materials, which give them a unique cultural character. According to him, Kashmiri Sufi music is not merely an artistic expression but the voice of the Valley’s soul, history and collective cultural memory, which must be preserved for future generations.
An interactive session of questions, answers and suggestions was also held, in which participants actively took part.
Session Two
Presentation of Works by Artists
The second session revolved around Kashmiri fine arts, painting, colours, canvas and creative expression, during which prominent artists and painters spoke about their artistic journeys, creative experiences and emotional connection with Kashmir’s cultural heritage.
Award-winning contemporary artist Sujata Kaul Dere said that painting is essentially a silent expression of an artist’s soul, emotions and inner experiences. She remarked that just as poets express themselves through poetry and writers through words, painters communicate their feelings through colours, brushes and canvas.
Reflecting on her artistic journey, she said that Kashmir’s natural beauty, Lotus,trees, birds, horses, mountains and sacred landscapes have always remained central to her work. She described painting not merely as an aesthetic pursuit but as a powerful medium for preserving memory, civilisation and human emotions. During the session, she also presented selected works from her artistic collection. Speakers introduced her as an internationally recognised artist who is also serving as an ambassador for promoting global peace through art.
Environmentalist Iiajaz Naqshbandi said that he was not a professional painter, but Kashmir’s changing environmental conditions and natural landscapes inspired him to turn towards painting. He recalled that during a visit to Dubai in 2018, he was handed a brush and canvas for the first time, after which he began portraying Kashmir through the perspective with which he personally experienced the Valley.
Veteran artist Aslam Naqshbandi, associated with painting for over five decades, stressed the need to encourage younger generations towards art and creative expression. He said that artistic talent can flourish only when artists receive encouragement and platforms that nurture creativity.
Ranjan Nehru spoke about the fusion of poetry, visual art and creative expression in his work. He said that his artistic creations combine poetry, graphic expression and fibre-glass art to reflect Kashmir’s culture, memory and emotional landscape.
On the occasion, noted art historian and curator Dr. Gauri Parimoo Krishnan delivered a special presentation on the artistic legacy of Padma Shri awardee and eminent artist-art historian Ratan Parimoo. She stated that the works of Ratan Parimoo, who belongs to Habba Kadal in Srinagar, vividly reflect Kashmir’s history, environment, civilisation, culture and spiritual identity. According to her, these remarkable artistic and scholarly contributions earned him national recognition, including the prestigious Padma Shri award.
The session also featured an interactive discussion and question-answer segment, during which artists and participants stressed the need to promote art, painting and cultural expression in Kashmir. Speakers emphasised that such cultural and intellectual initiatives must continue in the future to reconnect younger generations with their artistic roots and cultural heritage.
Addressing the concluding session, Sunanda Ganju, Director of the Kasheer History Foundation, thanked the guests, speakers, media representatives, organisers and hotel management for their support and participation. She stated that the journey to preserve Kashmir’s history, culture, art, music and civilisational heritage has only begun and that such academic and cultural initiatives would continue in the future.
