Kashmiri boy encourages young people to learn the traditional musical instrument “Rabab”

Srinagar (J&K), June 27 (ANI): Adnan Manzoor, the youngest Rabab artist from Jammu and Kashmir, has propelled traditional valley music to a global platform via social media and has become a source of inspiration for the young people of the valley. Manzoor was only 15 when he started playing the Rabab, a lute-like instrument, but his fascination with the instrument only increased after learning the guitar. Now at 21, Manzoor is the valley’s youngest and most famous Rabab player, and his social media videos have millions of views. “As an artist, every Kashmiri has to struggle because there are no platforms here. That’s why I started using social media as one. I incorporated the traditional instrument into Bollywood music and even metal music, ”Manzoor told ANI. He added that his cover of “Tumhe Dillagi” by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan had more than three million views. He told ANI that Rabab should be set according to the raag of the song you want to play, unlike the guitar. “The instrument is very difficult compared to the guitar,” he said. Speaking about the future of the instrument, Manzoor said, “I get emails and messages from people who want to learn Rabab. I want the tradition to continue and if I am the inspiration for it, I would love to be. I think it is better for young people to turn to sports and music rather than drugs. pushed forward. The Rabab, as we know it today, is considered a new version of the Rabab mentioned in historical texts. Also known as the Kabuli Rabab, the instrument is the national instrument of Afghanistan from where it entered India and was adopted by the people of Kashmir. It is believed to be the ancestor of other instruments on the subcontinent like the sarod and sarangi.