Bhat Furquan, a young sufi singer from Kremshore area of Budgam district is taking forward the legacy of sufiana singing.
He was inspired by a sufi singer Syed Zahoor who resides in his village and who later turned out to be his teacher.
“I brought a guitar (musical instrument) when I was in 9th class. But, I was not good at sufi singing. However, I went to the teacher and he made me understand the same,” he said.
After that he started learning harmonium from the basics and then started participating in sufi gatherings.
Today, Furquan is a young sufiyana singer and performs sufiyana music on different occasions like sufiyana mehfils, religious places like shrines and in different events.
“I have been participating in the inter-district and local events and competitions where I presented sufi songs and won many positions in the district in such competitions,” he said.
A first-semester student of Khansahib Degree College, he said “I am fascinated by our own Kashmiri legendary singer Abdul Rashid Hafiz and he is my inspiration.”
“When we go to places people receive us with immense love. It is the love of people for sufiyana music that keeps us alive. Notably, I have seen more young people attending to our musical programs which is encouraging,” he said.
“Kashmir has had a rich musical tradition going back centuries. Those youth who are interested in music by heart should come forward and take guidance of seniors,” he said adding that Kashmir has a deep-rooted connection with Sufism and the place is called the ‘Land of Saints’.
“My aim is to promote Kashmiri culture across the world through my art and want my people to connect with whatever I present,” he said.
Currently, he works with Irfan Bilal as a musician and rabab player. He also sings Kashmiri songs which have been very popular among the people. “Having a platform is very important when it comes to singing,” he added.
