Aabha Hanjura’s goal is to put Kashmiri music on the global map. Her foot-tapping tunes are already an online sensation, and on Saturday, her performance in Srinagar produced a rare bonding of Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits.
Aabha, a migrant Kashmiri Pandit herself, had an audience of 2,000 attending her concert titled ‘Saaz-e-Kashmir’ on the lawns of the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre here. The event by her band, Sufistication, stood out in the Valley, where even cinemas have been shut for nearly three decades now.
Aabha’s music mixes folk Kashmiri songs with Western styles. At her concert, she said, “Mountains in the backdrop and the heavenly Dal lake in front. I couldn’t have asked for a more serene stage for my first gig in my homeland. It’s a historic one for the band in the valley of Kashmir.” Aabha hails from Budgam district.
Girls and college students were there to listen to her. And the music seemed to bridge the chasm between the two major communities.
Many Pandit families, who live in and around Srinagar were there, singing in chorus with their Muslim counterparts.
A majority of Kashmiri Pandits left the Valley as militancy erupted in the 1990s. Since then, the two communities have struggled to reconcile with each other.
“The show reflected the real Kashmir. I saw students on their feet. The singer was rooted in her culture despite the separation. She could sing from popular folk to modern wedding songs with ease and connect with people,” said State Public Works Minister Nayeem Akhtar.
Popular ballad
Sufistication started shows in 2012, and became an instant hit in the Valley online. Its latest folk song track, Hukus Bukus , is Kashmir’s most popular ballad.
“It was a dream come true for me. I was singing before an audience with 100% understanding of the lyrics. Kashmir has a beautiful culture. I want to bring that out in my music,” said Aabha.
