Title:
SUFYANA MOUSIQUI IN KASHMIR: CONTRIBUTION OF SHEIKH ABDUL AZIZ

Authors:
Mohd Shafi Mir (Muztir Shafi)

Abstract:
Kashmir's Sufyana Mousiqui the traditional music of the valley is breathing its last. Unfortunately, the 500 year old tradition of mystic music is dying very fast. Renowned Kashmiri musicologists warn that these haunting melodies and sensual dances brought down to this idyllic Himalayan valley from central Asia in the 15thcentury might vanish out of our sight soon. Sufyana Mousiqui or the music of the Sufis/mystics is on the verge of extinction due to the lack of patronage and recognition, Kashmiri mystical music has suffered an irreparable loss. Not just a few but 138 of the 180aagas or melodies referred to in early medieval scripts, as well as some dance of antiquity have been lost forever.