Srinagar, Jan 22: A 13-year-old Rabab prodigy from Kreeri Baramulla, Ishfaq Hamid, has brought laurels for Kashmir by receiving the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar Award.
The award was presented to him by President of India Droupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhawan on Monday.
Ishfaq, a sixth-grade student, not only excels in playing the Rabab but is also a skilled Matka player. In addition to the Bal Puraskar, he was honoured with the Bhai Mardana National Award 2020 by the NGO Sarhad.
Ishfaq initiated his journey into Rabab playing at the age of eight under the guidance of his father. Expressing his immense joy, he conveyed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for recognizing his talent and selecting him for the esteemed award.
Having received accolades at the 13th Kashmir festival and Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s 550th Prakash Parv, Ishfaq is a testament to the musical legacy of the Bhat family. Representing the fourth generation, Ishfaq follows in the footsteps of his father, Ab Hameed Bhat, grandfather Ghulam Qadir Bhat, and great-grandfather Sanaullah Bhat, all accomplished Rabab players.
Ab Hameed Bhat, with 35 years of experience as a Rabab Maestro, recently showcased Kashmir’s musical heritage at the G20 Summit in New Delhi and Kashmir. He expressed pride in his son’s achievements at such a young age and emphasized the rarity of children embracing and promoting their cultural heritage in Kashmir.
Calling for government initiatives, Ab Hameed urged the establishment of Rabab learning centers to ensure the preservation and transmission of Rabab tunes to future generations. The Bhat family’s musical legacy continues, with Ishfaq Hamid emerging as the fourth-generation Rabab maestro.
