Kashmir: Sufyana Kalam from Srinagar

Sufi music from Pakistan and India, particularly qawwali, is well-known, but the traditions of Kashmir are little-known – partly because of the political problems that have kept them hidden for many years. Ghulam Mohammad Saznavaz leads a family band, born into the endangered tradition of Kashmiri Sufi music.

Sufyana kalam is a style all of its own – nothing like qawwali or other traditions of the subcontinent, with the santur (hammer dulcimer) being the most prominent instrument. The poems, mostly in Persian or Kashmiri, are sung by a small group of musicians (in this case five) accompanying themselves on santur, setar (long-necked lute), saz-e-kashmiri (spike fiddle) and dokra, Kashmiri tabla. The music is more austere and much less flamboyant than qawwali, but these recordings are spiritual rather than showy, with a depth and power in their sincerity.

The standout track is ‘Jinjoti Muqam’, a delicate instrumental featuring the kamancheh -like saz-e-kashmiri and santur. On the vocal tracks, the recording balance doesn’t have enough detail in the plucked strings. But there is a profound fervour to it and a scarcity value that makes it special.