Ghulam Nabi Sheikh

Ghulam Nabi Sheikh was a noted Kashmiri singer who revived Kashmiri music after the Pandits left Kashmir during the turmoil there in the early 1990s. He gained widespread popularity in the region, and became particularly famous in Kashmir, where he is is still remembered as the "Mehdi Hassan of Kashmir".

Sheikh is believed to have lived a very simple life and had set up a music school free of cost. Sheikh is survived by two daughters and a son.

Biography

He started his career at the young age of 14. He was honoured by the Chief Minister Of Kashmir on several occasions. [ [http://jammukashmir.nic.in/view/oct17.htm and] [ [http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/00oct18/state.htm#10]

He died in mysterious circumstances, and the cause is still not yet known [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3078959.stm India probes 'hasty cremation' of Ghulam Nabi Sheikh] ] . One account of what happened on that fateful night when the train entered Punjab some goons boarded the train. It is said that they missbehaved with the with the noted singer, his friend and his daughter which ensued a heated argument between them. Then the goons had left but they came later when everybody was sleeping and threw the singer out from the running train. It is believed that the goons were from punjab police, this account holds ground as punjab police later hurriedly burnt the body to hide evidence. Punjab police is known to harass kashmiri people especially students travelling through punjab. His unexpected death brought was received with an outpouring of grief in Kashmir [ [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030719/j&k.htm#4 Chief visits Sheikh’s residence] ] . Known for his Sufi and Ghazal singing, his songs are still very popular in Kashmir to this day. Every year on 13th of July he is remembered by his fans and friends. An award has been instituted in his name which encourages the young talent in kashmir in the field of music and fine arts. Even after four years the CBI has failed to unravel the mystery surrounding his death. The singer who many believe has contributed so much to the kashmiri culture has helped to take kashmiri music to yet another level. Recently family of the noted singer has appealed to the government to reopen the case. [ [http://etalaat.net/english/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1877&Itemid=31]

See also

* List of topics on the land and the people of “Jammu and Kashmir”
* Kashmir (song)
* Music of Kashmir

References

External links

* http://www.radiokashmir.org/songs.html
* http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/00oct18/state.htm#10
* http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030717/j&k.htm#7
* http://www.kashmirobserver.com/index.php?id=2956
* http://etalaat.net/english/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1877&Itemid=31