13-yr-old Rabab maestro earns Pradhan Mantri Bal Puraskar

Expresses pride in continuing family’s musical legacy

Waris Fayaz

Baramulla, Jan 27 (KNO): Fell in love with the Rabab when he was just 7 years old, Ishfaq Hamid’s melodious compositions have resonated far beyond the region, earning him accolades and recognition at the national level.

Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Ishfaq, a 13-year-old boy, hailing from the Kreeri area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district said that at the age of seven, he discovered his passion for the Rabab.

“Rabab is not just a musical instrument for me, but a companion, a language through which I express emotions,” Ishfaq, a class 6 student, said.

Ishfaq’s dedication to both the art and heritage of the Rabab playing has proven to be a winning combination, earning him a prestigious Pradhan Mantri Bal Puraskar Award. President of India Daroupadi Murmu gave Ishfaq this award on January 22 this month at Vigyan Bhawan, Delhi.

Sharing the experience, Ishfaq said he was overjoyed when he learned about receiving the prestigious award from the President of India. “It’s a dream come true, and I feel incredibly honoured to be recognized at such a high level,” he expressed.

I started learning to play the Rabab from my father Abdul Hamid, who has around 37 years of experience in this field, he said. “Watching my father play the Rabab inspired me to follow in his footsteps. It’s a tradition in our family and I wanted to be a part of it.”

Music is about connecting with my roots and I hope to carry forward the legacy, the young maestro said, adding that he made a well-thought-out decision to carve his future within its soulful strings.

“I have performed not only here but in Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Lucknow, Delhi and other cities while accompanying my father,” he added.

Ishfaq said his family’s support is the foundation upon which his musical aspirations stand. “Behind every achievement is a family’s support, which weaves a strong thread. As a representative of the fourth generation in the Bhat family, I am grateful for constant encouragement from everyone. It’s by their support only which fuels my passion for the Rabab,” he said.

Proud of his son’s national recognition, Abdul Hamid said the award is for “everyone in our valley”. “My son’s dedication to the Rabab music is a source of immense pride for our family, and we see it as a celebration of our rich cultural heritage,” he said.

Ishfaq said that dedication to pursuits with a defined goal is key to success. “Success is not a distant mirage. Setting goals and remaining dedicated is how you see success touching your feet,” he said—(KNO)