Ghulam Nabi Sheikh

Ghulam Nabi Sheikh (Kashmiri: ग़ुलाम नबी शेख़ (Devanagari), غلام نبی شیخ (Nastaleeq)) was a Kashmiri Indian singer and composer. He is credited with reviving Kashmiri music after the Kashmiri Pandits left Kashmir during the political conflict in 1990. He was killed by the Punjab Police in 2003 in disputed circumstances.

Music career

Sheikh started his music career at the age of 14. Sheikh gained widespread popularity in Kashmir and India, and became known as the "Mehdi Hassan of Kashmir". He received many national and international awards for his contributions to the music and art of Kashmir, including from the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.[1]

Death and aftermath

Sheikh was killed by the Punjab Police when he was travelling on a train along with his daughter and a Kashmiri Pandit friend on the night of July 13, 2003.[2] The Punjab police cremated his body within hours of his death, and were accused of attempting to destroy evidence.[3] Sheikh's death caused an outpouring of grief in Kashmir and India.[4]

In 2007, the Punjab and Chandigarh High Court, which had been responsible for the investigation of Sheikh's death and cremation since 2003, asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the case. The CBI has yet to conclude its investigation surrounding the singer's death.

Legacy

Sheikh was survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.

Every year on July 13 he is remembered by his fans and friends. An award has been instituted in his memory, aiming to encourage young talented people in Kashmir in the field of music and arts.

See also

References

  1. ↑ CM honours Ghulam Nabi Sheikh:Recording studios planned for Srinagar, Jammu Archived February 27, 2003, at the Wayback Machine.
  2. ↑ "Renaissance in the Vale". Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  3. ↑ "Justice For The "Mehdi Hassan of Kashmir" - The Kashmir Walla". The Kashmir Walla. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  4. ↑ "Chief visits Sheikh's residence". Retrieved 23 October 2014.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.