Srinagar, Sep 09: The silver screen may have been at the heart of the maiden International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK), but on the third day, it was the timeless melodies of Kashmir that stole the show, leaving filmmakers, artistes and festival participants enthralled.
A soulful presentation of traditional Kashmiri music transported the audience into the Valley’s rich cultural past, bringing alive a heritage shaped by centuries of poetry, spirituality, folk traditions and musical expression.
International and national filmmakers, singers and other members of the film fraternity were mesmerised by the distinctive sound of Kashmiri folk music and the traditional instruments accompanying the performances, including the Noat, Rabab, Harmonium and Sarangi.
For many visiting guests, the performance offered a rare opportunity to experience Kashmir beyond its famed mountains, lakes and landscapes. The music, instruments and voices together provided a glimpse into a cultural tradition passed down through generations.
Actress Saida Khateeb praised the cultural presentation, saying, “Kashmiri music carries a distinctive emotional quality and offers audiences a deeper understanding of the Valley’s identity and traditions.”
Singer Sunidhi Chauhan also appreciated the richness of Kashmiri folk singing and the traditional instruments showcased during the performance, highlighting the uniqueness of the region’s musical heritage. “The way its melodies can connect with audiences even beyond linguistic and cultural boundaries is quite awesome,” she said.
The traditional instruments added another dimension to the presentation, with the haunting notes of the Rabab and the distinctive sounds of the Noat, Harmonium and Sarangi drawing keen attention from visiting filmmakers, singers and other guests.
Kashmiri folk singer Riyaz Ahmad said the opportunity to perform before an international gathering was significant for local artistes, allowing the region’s traditional music to reach audiences beyond Kashmir.
Traditional musician Ghulam Nabi said such platforms can play an important role in keeping the younger generation connected with Kashmir’s musical heritage, particularly at a time when traditional art forms face the challenge of competing with rapidly changing forms of entertainment.
Rabab player Shabir Ahmad said the response from visiting guests was encouraging, with many participants showing keen interest in the instruments, melodies and traditions associated with Kashmiri music.
The cultural presentation drew appreciation from members of the visiting film fraternity, with participants saying it offered a glimpse into Kashmir’s artistic identity and demonstrated how music can create an immediate emotional connection between people from different cultures.
Members of visiting film crews also appreciated the effort to place local culture alongside international cinema. Several participants described the experience as an opportunity to understand Kashmir through its traditions rather than merely through its spectacular scenery.
For festival participants, the performance became one of the memorable moments of the festival, as the familiar strains of Kashmiri music blended with an international gathering of filmmakers, actors, singers and cinema enthusiasts.
The inclusion of traditional music at IFFJK also underlined the festival’s potential to become a platform for promoting Kashmir’s wider cultural heritage. While films are bringing stories from different parts of the world to the Valley, local artistes are ensuring that Kashmir’s own stories, sounds and traditions remain at the centre of the celebration.
As the maiden festival continues, Kashmir is emerging not merely as the backdrop to an international cinematic event, but as a storyteller in its own right.
