Why in the news
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah sent a formal letter in June 2026 to Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, seeking a nomination for Kashmir’s Sufiyana Music on the UNESCO list known as the Representative List of Humanity’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH).
About Sufiyana Music
- Also called Sufiyana Mausiqi or Sufiyana Kalam: a structured, mystical choral ensemble form mixing devotional poetry, classical melody and philosophy.
- Joins together Persian, Central Asian and Indian classical musical traditions.
- Entirely indigenous to the Kashmir Valley; surviving gharanas are located in Budgam, Srinagar and Anantnag.
- Performed by 5-7 musicians (Sazandar) who both sing and play; lyrics come from Rumi, Hafiz, Omar Khayyam and Amir Khusro.
- These days it is heard mostly in Radio Kashmir studios or at small private events.
Origins
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|
| Period | 14th-15th centuries, continuing older pre-Islamic music practice in Kashmir |
| Blend | Persian, Islamic and Shaivite philosophical thought |
| Outside influences | Iran, Bukhara and Samarkand |
| Carriers | Sufi saints, scholars, artisans and musicians |
| Patronage | Sultanate, Mughal, Afghan and Dogra rulers |
Maqam system and instruments
- Maqam: a system of melodic modes of Persian origin, comparable to Indian ragas; about 50 existed historically, but only 20-25 are practised now. Named examples include Maqam-i Sahnai, Maqam-i Nawa and Maqam-i Bahr.
- Sufiana Santoor: the central instrument, a Kashmiri hammered string instrument with 100 strings on a triangular three-legged stand.
- Others: Saz-e-Kashmir (bowed), Sehtar (modified sitar), Tabla, Harmonium, Ney (Persian-style flute), Rabab and Madham (drum).
- Panjhatheyari: a set of five core instruments, usually Tabla, Madham, Santoor, Sitar and Saz-e-Kashmir.
Maestros
- Earlier masters: Qaleenbaaft, Sidh Joo, Ramzan Joo, Abdullah Shah and Muhammed Abdullah Tibetbaqal.
- 20th century: Ustad Abdul Ghani Ganaie (Namtahali), Ustad Ghulam Muhammed Saaznawaz and Ustad Ghulam Muhammed Qaleenbaaft.
- Living: Ustad Muhammad Yaqoob Sheikh holds a Sangeet Natak Akademi award, Ustad Manzoorul Haq received its Yuva award, and Ustad Muhammad Maqbool Bhat is also named.
UNESCO ICH Convention
- Adopted in 2003 to safeguard oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals, festivals, knowledge about nature and traditional crafts; administered from UNESCO HQ in Paris; India ratified in 2005.
- Three tools: the Representative List, the Urgent Safeguarding List and a Register of Good Safeguarding Practices.
India’s ICH inscriptions (15 as of 2024)
| Element | Year inscribed |
|---|
| Garba of Gujarat | 2023 |
| Durga Puja in Kolkata | 2021 |
| Kumbh Mela | 2017 |
| Yoga; Nawrouz/Navroz (multi-country) | 2016 |
| Brass and copper utensil-making of the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab | 2014 |
| Sankirtana (Manipur) | 2013 |
| Buddhist Chanting of Ladakh | 2012 |
| Mudiyettu (Kerala); Kalbelia (Rajasthan); Chhau Dance (Eastern India) | 2010 |
| Ramman (Garhwal Himalayas) | 2009 |
| Kutiyattam Sanskrit Theatre (Kerala); Vedic Chanting; Ramlila (Northern India) | 2008 |
About Omar Abdullah
- J&K Chief Minister since 16 October 2024, the first after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019; National Conference leader who earlier served as CM in 2009-2015.
Exam angle
- Latest Indian inscriptions: Durga Puja in Kolkata (2021) and Garba of Gujarat (2023).
- Convention year 2003; India ratified 2005; lists: Representative and Urgent Safeguarding.
- Related terms: Sazandar, maqam, Panjhatheyari, Sufiana Santoor.