The city of Srinagar came alive with the vibrant sounds of the Kashmir Sufi & Folk Music Festival 2024 – Shashrang Season 14, organized by the J&K Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages in collaboration with The Kashmir Music Club Srinagar. Sponsored by J&K Bank, Kanwal Foods, and Qaraar Studio, and supported by media partners Red FM, DD Kashir, and Greater Kashmir, the festival was a tribute to Kashmir’s rich musical legacy.
As per KNS, the festival commenced at 10:30 AM with a thought-provoking Shashrang Conference titled “Traditions and Transformation,” gathering over 70 renowned scholars, musicians, and cultural experts to discuss the evolution of Kashmiri music and its cultural relevance. A special highlight was the screening of a Kashmiri folk song, Madanwaar, a cover conceptualized and performed by Waheed Jeelani and his Shashrang Band, filmed against the picturesque backdrop of Kashmir.
The cultural segment began at 2:00 PM with Chief Guests, Advocate Abdul Rahim Rather, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir, and Dr. Farooq Abdullah, former Chief Minister of J&K and Member of Parliament. Mrs. Harvinder Kour, Secretary of the J&K Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages, inaugurated the event, emphasizing the academy’s dedication to promoting and preserving Kashmir’s artistic heritage.
Performances captivated the audience, featuring soulful Surnai tunes, Wadan Sufiana Kalaam by Ustaad Mohammad Yaqoob Shaikh and Shabir Ahmad Saznawaz, Kashmiri folk renditions by Gulzar Ahmad Ganai and Manzoor Ahmad Shah, and a rhythmic Roff performance by the Yemberzal Group. A unique choral and symphonic presentation of Kashmiri music concluded the show, culminating in the signature Shashrang performance with all participants.
The Shashrang Awards 2024 were conferred upon Kashmiri music icons including Gulzar Ahmad Mir, Pt. Krishan Langoo, Jameela Khan, Assad-ul-Lah Shah, and Assad Anjum for their enduring contributions. Dr. Farooq Abdullah lauded the festival’s role in preserving Kashmiri tradition, expressing hope for more such unifying events, while Advocate Abdul Rahim Rather pledged support for the artistic community.
Chairman of The Kashmir Music Club, Waheed Jeelani, offered a vote of thanks, acknowledging the dedication of sponsors, participants, and attendees. Shashrang Season 14 stands as a testament to the enduring cultural spirit of Kashmir, celebrating heritage and community at Srinagar’s Tagore Hall
