The famed legendary Kashmiri folk music artists are coming together for the first-ever virtual concert, Miltchar in the Kashmir region to connect people from across the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic and keep the art and culture alive.
Named Miltchar (brotherhood, harmony), the two-hour long concert would be featuring legendary artists including, Ustad Abdul Rasheed Hafiz, Muhammad Abdullah Shaksaaz, Abdul Gaffar Dar Kanihami, Gulzar Ganaie, Farooq Ahmad Ganaie, Ghulam Hassan Mir Manigami, Muhammad Yaseen Gondipori. The concert would also feature some young folk singers including, Showkat Ahmad Dar, Muddasir Maqbool Shah, Ghulam Muhammad Bhat (Bulbul).
The Kashmiri folk vocalists and instrumentalists would go live and premiere their recordings on facebook, YouTube and other streaming platforms. They said that the aim of the online concert would be to cheer people up amid Pandemic.
“It is a humble step to connect people during these trying times and equally help artists in distress,” said, renowned folk singer, Gulzar Ganaie. “The idea came because of the lockdown and some of our colleagues already did this exercise in light music, which was highly appreciated at all levels. We wanted to connect with people, provide some solace to their hearts in these times when art and entertainment got affected,” he said.
Ganaie said that the idea is to keep the art and culture alive and launch a platform for artists as art gatherings are unlikely to be allowed even after the lockdown is lifted. “We have witnessed the worst times in history. Everyone is suffering and artists are becoming victims of this lockdown and global pandemic.”
“During the time of the pandemic, musicians have come together and composed great and soothing music to appeal to people,” he said.
Several eminent artists have hailed the idea and wished well to the organisers. “Artists really need some window, where they can perform and play, especially folk artists,” said Ustad Abdul Rasheed Hafiz. “I am sure that artists who are indoors because of the COVID 19 pandemic and have no platform to perform, such an online digital concert will prove as a milestone in the field of music in Kashmir.” “As the global economy continues to contract, the art sector here in Kashmir isn’t immune. Artists are suffering and facing immense hardships. However these initiatives are really going to help a miniscule population of artists in Kashmir,” said Hafiz.