Ghulam Nabi Sheikh

Ghulam Nabi Sheikh (Kashmiri: ग़ुलाम नबी शेख़ (Devanagari), غلام نبی شیخ (Nastaleeq)) (died July 13, 2003) [1] was a Kashmiri musician. He is credited with reviving Kashmiri music after Kashmiri Pandits left Kashmir during the political conflict in 1990.[citation needed] He was killed by the Punjab Police in 2003. [1]

Music career

Sheikh started his music career at the age of 14. He gained widespread popularity in Kashmir and India,[citation needed] and became known as the "Mehdi Hassan of Kashmir". He received many national and international awards, including the one from the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, for his contributions to Kashmiri music and art.[2]

Death and aftermath

Sheikh was killed by the Punjab Police when he was travelling on a train with his daughter and a Kashmiri Pandit friend on the night of 13 July 2003.[3] The Punjab police cremated his body within hours of his death to destroy evidence.[4] Sheikh's death caused an outpouring of grief in Kashmir and India.[5]

In 2003, the Punjab and Chandigarh High Court started trial for Sheikh's murder and hurried cremation, handed later the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). No justice was served.

Legacy

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

On July 13 every year, he is remembered by his fans and friends. An annual prize established in his memory is awarded to young musicians of Kashmir.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Malhi, Sukhwinder (16 July 2003). "Gulam Nabi Shiekh, died after falling from train". The Times of India. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  2. ^ [1] Archived 27 February 2003 at the Wayback Machine CM honours Ghulam Nabi Sheikh:Recording studios planned for Srinagar, Jammu
  3. ^ "Renaissance in the Vale". Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  4. ^ "Justice For The "Mehdi Hassan of Kashmir" - The Kashmir Walla". The Kashmir Walla. Archived from the original on 22 May 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ^ "Chief visits Sheikh's residence". Retrieved 23 October 2014.