Kashmir yet to see WMD

World Music Day

Despite rich musical heritage, Kashmir yet to see WMD celebration

Bizarre as it may sound, Kashmir has never seen the celebration of World Music Day till date.Though Kashmir has rich music and arts, and much is being talked about the preservation of Kashmiri music from various quarters time to time, World Music Day has no existence here.

Like every other year, today also, no event or gathering was held in the valley on this day. Indeed, the people of Kashmir seem to be almost completely ignorant about the existence of the World Music Day.

“I have not known of World Music Day till date. I have never seen any special celebration for the day in Kashmir, so it’s not known to me,” said Saba Khan, a student of music. Saba said that though she has been a student of music for two years, she hasn’t ever heard about it from her teachers as well.

Singer Ajaz Rah while expressing the need for the preservation of Kashmiri music said that it is unfortunate not to have such celebration in Kashmir.

“We never celebrate music day nor do we pay tribute to the eminent artists of Kashmir. The government is not taking music seriously which is facing threat,” said Ajaz Rah.

He added that unless government is serious towards Kashmiri music, nothing can be done.“How long can artists work on their own efforts? Government has to act,” says Ajaz.Music composure and a teacher in the institute of music and fine arts, Imtiyaz Malik said, “It is true that we have never celebrated music day. I have tired to make some personal effort, but got no support.”

Imtiyaz said that the government as well as the people associated with the music has to work in the direction of preservation and promotion of music.

“And we should celebrate this music day to pronounce the importance of our indigenous music in Kashmir,” adds Imtiyaz.Sources told Kashmir Times that the lack of funds available to the cultural academy is preventing the organization of cultural events and music festivals.