Renowned for its stunning vistas and awe-inspiring natural beauty, Rafiabad in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district has not only been captivating the hearts from decades, but its fertile soil holds the rich legacy of having given birth to great intellectuals, authors, artists, poets, orators, educationists, and administrators, etc. from time to time.
Nestled within its picturesque rural landscape, quite adjacent to Dangiwacha town, lies a small village of artists towards West, called Batsuma where Kashmir’s top and famous elderly artist, Ghulam Nabi Shah, popularly known in Kashmir as Hamal-e-Bulbul was born—a versatile and an exemplary persona known for his spellbound performances on stage in singing, music, dancing, comics, acting, and more. But, who is this Hamal-e-Bulbul? Let’s know.
Legend has it that in early sixties during then J&K’s Prime Minister Bakshi Ghulam Mohammed aka Bakshi sab’s reign started the famed series of Jashn-e-Kashmir programs, and like every educational institute promoting cultural programs, Shri Sham Lal Saraf, then education minister had visited a government school in Dangiwacha (Rafiabad) where the school administration chose a Bucha Kout (a talented boy whom teachers new as an entertainer) to sing before the minister.
The young boy was Ghulam Nabi Shah who sang and danced on Kral Koor song with his classmates and left the audience totally spellbound. It’s from here starts the artistic career of Hamal-e-Bulbul and from then on, his Bacha Nagma fame spread in the entire Kashmir and didn’t let him look back till his recognition took him to perform in many States in India.
It was during his third Jashn-e-Kashmir performance at Chogal, Handwara when Bakshi Sahib renamed Ghulam Nabi Shah as Hamal-e-Bulbul. Hamal was the erstwhile name of Rafiabad, changed by Bakshi Sahib after his visit to Dangiwacha during a Jalsa (procession). It is said that somebody addressed in Kashmiri towards the PM that they are delighted that Bakshi Sahib had come to Hamal. The phrase sounded peculiar, much like Bakhshi is pregnant rather than he visited Ellaqa Hamal. Shocked to hear this, Bakshi sab expressed his displeasure and quickly announced name to be changed to Rafiabad after famous Indian politician Rafi Ahmad Kidwai whose day was celebrated on that day. (24th of October).
Born in 1949, Bulbul showed early fondness towards music and dance & was alone in his pursuit of art, as his entire village was known for musicians, giving Kashmir Khazir Mohammad Shah (grandmaster of Rabab) and his taughts like Gulzar Ahmad Ganai, Manzoor Ah. Shah and Abdul Rashid Shah, et.al. It merits a mention here that Bulbul started to achieve newer heights from Bakshi sab tenure. Wherever he went to perform, he left his audience completely spellbound with his acting despite his family opposition.
Mentored by many veteran artists, Bulbul with his dedication, displayed his skills from early age, and took the art to newer forms. While dancing on stage, he expertly would balance a glass of water on his head and entertained viewers with his thrilling actions that lead him to set a record of awestrucking audience during Samapa festival. Even music maestro Bhajan Sopori couldn’t stop admiring him for such a graceful dance at an elderly age. Besides dancing, Bulbul also sang mellifluously like a nightingale and fascinated hundreds with his mesmerizing voice.
Famous for his vocalization, Hamal-e-Bulbul, the artist that stands the test of time like a Bulbul bird has sung many famous songs like: Tresh Cheta Shah Kule Ha Lu Lu…, Tchae Kar Surma Cheshmou Nazr Ya Muhammad (SAW)…, Kryouth Pyum Yaar Doud…etc. which are still lovingly listened by people in our Kashmir. Listening to his melodious voice feels like listening to the heart of Kashmir itself.
Dear Akash, “Hamal-e-Bulbul then, is now Bulbul of Rafiabad and will always remain so because art never dies. I can say, he is a gifted & reputed artist and has no parallel with compositions deeply rooted in Kashmir’s folk history,” quite resolutely said Dr. Rafeeq Masoodi (Retd. IBS), former Sec. Cultural JKAACL & ADG Doordarshan who closely knows Bulbul from a long time. “Similarly, he is very choosy in his poetry too and doesn’t randomly pick a song and sing. He understands the power of words and selects them accordingly for his audience.” Dr.Masoodi further added.
“Our Hamal-e-Bulbul is a multi-talented 2012 State Awardee artist who can play harmonium, violin, sarangi, tumbakhnari, dholak and other instruments. His unique style of playing Sarangi has made him a darling of music lovers. Having performed at platforms like Cultural Academy, Sangeet Natak academy, Radio and Doordarshan, etc, Bulbul sab has not only brought laurels to Rafiabad but to the whole Kashmir”, said Chairman Civil Society Rafiabad Mr Basharat Mehraj.
Today an elderly Hamal-e-Bulbul of 80 years old is not only known as a famous Radio & TV artist or music instructor but a true gem of our culture, one of the few top-profile category artists in Kashmir with recorded number of memorable compositions. It is said that once during a live performance for Doordarshan, he was injured just before the audience which made the floor replete with blood. But despite trickling blood from the wound, he continued his dancing as people were waiting.
Postscript: Let’s not forget the artistic heritage of Kashmir—a valuable cultural treasure that deserves preservation and celebration, shaped by renowned artists like Hamal-e-Bulbul. By doing that we can ensure that the richness of Kashmir’s art continues to inspire.
Manzoor Akash is regular GK contributor, educator and author
