Some of the popular performing traditions of Srinagar are as follows
Bhand
Pather: It is a traditional folk theatre style combination of play
and dance in a satirical style where social traditions , evils are depicted
and performed in various social and cultural functions. Bhand Jashan is performed
by a group of 10 to 15 artists in their traditional style accompanied by light
music for the entertainment of people.
Chakri: It is most popular form of Kashmiri folk music. It
has some resemblance with chakra of mountaineous regions of Uttar Pradesh. Normally
Garaha, Sarangi, Rabab were the musical instruments used in the past. But now
thw harmonium too has made its way in its presentation.
Sufiana Music: Sofians musiqui came to Kashmir from Iran in
the 15th century. Over the years it has established itself as the
classical music form of Kashmir and has incorporated a number of Indian Ragas
in its body. Hafiz Nagma in fact, used to be part of sofiana music. The instruments
used in this form are Santoor, Sitar, Kashmiri Saz, Wasool or Tabala. In Hafiz
Nagma a dancer is a female while her accompanists on various instruments are
males. Hafiza moves her feet on musical notes. There are only a few families
in Kashmir who are practising this musical form in Kashmir. Whereas the tallest
ustad Ghulam Mohd. Qaleenbaft is unable to move out because of health problems,
Ustad Ghulam Mohd. Saznawaz and Ustad Abdul Ghani Namathali are imparting training
to their family members and are the practising artists.
Culture of Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir has the distinction of
having multifaceted, variegated and unique cultural blend, making it distinct
from the rest of the country, not only from the different cultural forms and
heritage, but from geographical, demographically, ethical,
social entities, forming a distinct spectrum of diversity and diversions into
Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh, all professing diverse religion, language and culture,
but continuously intermingling, making it vibrant specimens of Indian Unity
amidst diversity. Its different cultural forms like art and architecture, fair
and festivals, rites and rituals, seer and sagas, language and mountains, embedded
in ageless period of history, speak volumes of unity and diversity with unparalleled
cultural cohesion and cultural service.
While the Kashmir has been the highest learning centre of Sanskrit and Persian
where early Indo-Aryanic civilization has originated and flourshed, it has also
been embracing point of advent of Islam bringing its fold finest traditions
of Persian civilization, tolerance, brotherhood and sacrifice.