Srinagar, Nov 16 (KNO): For the past five decades, Khazir Mohd Dar, a 65-year-old artisan from the Narbal area of central Kashmir's Budgam district, has been tirelessly working to preserve the dying art of making traditional Kashmiri musical instruments like the Rabab, Santoor, Sarang and Saitaar. Despite the growing demand for these instruments, Khazir faces the harsh reality that the younger generation is not willing to learn this intricate craft.
Khazir, whose father Mohammad Shaban Dar was a renowned singer, was introduced to the world of music and instrument-making at a young age. Inspired by his father, he decided to explore the art of crafting musical instruments.
"I learned the trade locally and have been working with it for the last 50 years," Khazir shared with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
Over the years, Khazir established his own workshop, where he trained dozens of apprentices and crafted hundreds of instruments. "I have always worked with dedication and earned a name, alongside a livelihood," he said. At present, around 10 artisans work with Khazir, including his son, Mushtaq Ahmad, who has been trained to carry on the legacy.
However, Khazir's efforts face multiple challenges. One of the biggest hurdles is the shortage of quality materials required to craft these musical instruments. He said the art is slowly dying as many of the skilled artisans who once upheld this tradition have passed away.
"The younger generation today isn't interested in learning this art. It requires immense patience, and unfortunately, patience seems to be in short supply," he lamented. Despite this, Khazir continues to make efforts to pass on his knowledge, hoping to inspire more people to join the craft.
Khazir's instruments have found their way into every corner of India, catering to both local and non-local customers. The demand for these traditional items remains strong, yet the pool of skilled craftsmen continues to dwindle.
While Khazir's work has been appreciated by the Handicrafts Department, he feels unsupported by other government agencies. "The Handicraft Department recognised my work about six months ago, but apart from that, I haven't received any other support," he said. "It seems the government prefers to appreciate those who have no knowledge of the craft, merely for their approach, rather than recognizing the efforts of someone preserving the region’s traditional arts."
Khazir urges the government to take concrete steps to preserve this cultural heritage by encouraging the younger generation to learn these arts. "If the current trend continues, this beautiful tradition will be lost forever," he warned—(KNO)