Kashmir's Sufiyana Music Moves for UNESCO Heritage Status: CM Writes to Centre
The Jammu and Kashmir government has formally initiated efforts to secure a place for Sufiyana Mousiqi, a classical music tradition dating back to the 15th century, in UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has written to Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, urging the Centre to forward the nomination through prescribed channels. In his letter, Abdullah described the tradition as an 'exceptional heritage value' that reflects Kashmir's composite culture and spiritual harmony.
'Given the exceptional heritage value of Kashmiri Sufiyana Music and its relevance to the objectives of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention, I shall be grateful if the proposal is examined sympathetically and necessary action initiated for taking the nomination forward,' the letter reads.
The proposal, prepared by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Kashmir chapter, highlights that Sufiyana music meets core criteria for UNESCO nomination. It is rooted in Sufi mysticism and represents a synthesis of devotional poetry, classical melody, and philosophical depth.
Saleem Beg, head of INTACH's Kashmir chapter, noted that the music emerged between the 14th and 15th centuries when Kashmir became a crossroads for Persian, Central Asian, and Indian influences. 'Sufiyana music is a dialogue between civilisations—Persian, Islamic, and Shaivite—both classical and folk,' he said.
The tradition originally had about 54 maqams or ragas, but only 20-25 are currently practiced. It typically opens with an instrumental prelude and a short poem sung without rhythm. Instruments include the santoor, ney (flute), harmonium, rabab, tabla, and sitar.
UNESCO has already recognised several Indian intangible heritage forms, including Vedic Chanting, Ramlila, Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja, and Garba. Inclusion of Sufiyana music would provide international visibility and help preserve, document, and transmit the tradition to future generations.
