For nearly 32 years, a Kashmiri artisan Mushtaq Ahmad has dedicated his life to preserving the traditional craft of making musical instruments, continuing a family legacy passed down by his father. His father, who was recently honoured with a State Award for his contribution to the art of making the santoor, has now grown older, prompting his son to carry the tradition forward. The artisan makes several traditional musical instruments, including the Kashmiri sarangi, Peshawari rabab, santoor, Kashmiri sitar and the traditional saaz. He has also developed a new instrument, the Sikh rabab, adding innovation to the centuries-old craft. Over the years, the value of these handcrafted instruments has changed significantly. He recalls that when he was young, a rabab could be sold for around ₹1,500 to ₹2,000. Today, his handcrafted rababs can fetch ₹50,000 to ₹60,000 or even more, depending on the instrument. For him, this art is more than a profession—it is a way of life. He believes young people should connect with traditional arts and crafts instead of viewing government jobs as the only career option. He also stresses the need for greater recognition, encouragement and dedicated schemes to support artisans and keep Kashmir’s rich musical heritage alive for future generations.
