Why Kashmir’s Sufiyana Music bids for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list | Explained

The story so far: J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah this month forwarded a proposal to Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to push for inclusion of Kashmir’s Sufiyana Music, which encompasses both Sufiana Kalam andr Sufiana Mousiqi, in the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Mr. Abdullah, in a letter to the Union Minister, described Kashmiri Sufiyana Music as one of the most distinguished manifestations of the cultural and spiritual heritage of Jammu and Kashmir.

Why is J&K chief minister pitching for it?

Terming Sufiyana music as one rooted in the rich traditions of Sufi thought and artistic excellence, Mr. Abdullah highlighted the remarkable synthesis of devotional poetry, classical melody, and philosophical depth in this art form. He said it’s for centuries that Sufiyana music served as “a powerful medium for promoting harmony, inclusiveness, and cultural dialogue”. Listing by UNESCO, Mr. Abdullah said, will secure a global recognition for this “priceless cultural legacy of J&K, which shall be a matter of pride for India”.

What makes Sufiyana music unique?

Believed to have emerged between the 14th and 15th Century, Sufiyana music is continuum of pre-Islamic musical practices in Kashmir. Saleem Beg, who heads the Kashmir chapter of the INTACH and wrote the first draft proposal for the J&K government, said the uniqueness of Sufiyana music is in the fact that it rather than replacing local traditions merged with indigenous Kashmiri musical practices. It is a unique synthesis of Persian, Central Asian, and Indian musical systems shaped by local sensibilities and a form of dialogue between civilisations, Persian, Islamic and Shaivite, said Beg. In the 14th Century, Kashmir opened up to Persia, Central Asia, and the wider Islamic world. It saw the arrival of Sufi saints, scholars, artisans, and musicians from regions such as Iran, Bukhara, and Samarkand. Mr. Beg said they introduced new musical ideas that blended with existing Kashmiri traditions. They created a distinctive classical form that belongs exclusively to Kashmir.

What is the current status of the art form?

Sufiyana Mausiki once had around fifty maqams, rooted in Persian traditions, like ragas in India. Currently, only 20-25 muqams are in practice now. Described as a classical choral ensemble music, Sufiyana music is rooted in local mysticism. The number of both the instrument makers and vocalists are also on a decline in Kashmir. Locals in Kashmir still organise nightlong Sufiyana mehfils but a select few surviving gharanas (schools) from Budgam, Srinagar and Anantnag are invited to these mehfils. Another uniqueness of the art form is that it is passed on orally from one generation to another.

What is unique about Sufiyana music?

Most Sufiyana Mausiki opens with an instrumental prelude and a short poem sung without rhythm. ‘Bathe’, the main lyrics, is in the form of a couplet meeting maqam and tala cycle. The longest talas are followed by shorter ones. Specific instruments of santoor, ney (a type of flute), harmonium, rabab, tabla and sitar are used in this art form. It has a group of five to seven musicians who are both vocalists and instrumentalists. All instruments have a different tonal quality because of their unique size and number of strings. For example, Sufiana santoor has 100 strings spread over a triangular-shaped and three-legged stand.

What is the process of UNESCO listing?

If the Union Ministry of Culture approves the J&K government proposal, it will be followed by preparation of a comprehensive nomination dossier with detailed research and documentation. The submission of the dossier will be made by the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir to the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi. Upon review, the Sangeet Natak Akademi will forward the nomination to UNESCO for final consideration. Beg said Kashmiri Sufiyana Music meets the core criteria for nomination under the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) framework. It is a classical music form rooted in Sufi mysticism, representing a unique synthesis of devotional poetry, melody, and rhythm. The tradition embodies Kashmir’s composite culture and its historic ethos of spiritual harmony, said Mr. Beg.