Jammu/Srinagar, February 13, (Scoop News)-The maestro, legendary Sufiana music Artist and instrumentalist, Ustad Ghulam Mohammad Saaznawaz passed away Thursday afternoon in Srinagar.
A recipient of Sangeet Natak Academy Award, Saaznawaz was considered an exceptional musical talent of the state.
He was born in the year 1940 at Danamazar Safakadal Srinagar Kashmir. He was the son of great sufiyana music maestro Ustad Ramzan Joo, who learned the sufiyana music from his father Ustad Wazir joo, Uncle Ustad Ameer joo, and his brother ustad Sidiq joo. Ancestors of the Ustad Ghulam Mohammad Saznawaz were the masters of the sufiyana music (the classical music of Kashmir).
Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Arts, Culture and Languages, Mr Khalid Bashir Ahmed has expressed profound grief and sorrow on the demise of Ustad Ghulam Mohammad Saaznawaz who passed away in Srinagar this afternoon.
In his condolence massage, the Secretary said the demise of the maestro is a great loss to music in general and Kashmiri sufiana music in particular. He said the late instrumentalist had popularized Kashmir music in a major way and his contribution would be remembered for a long time.
As the news of the demise of the maestro came, a condolence meeting was held at the academy central office here, where rich tribute was paid to the departed musician.
The Secretary recalled Saaznawaz’s association with the academy and said he had been a member of the academy’s general council. He belonged to the famous Saaznawaz Gharana of Kashmir which has a long and rich tradition in sufiana music. His contribution was acknowledged at a highest level through Sangeet Natak Academy Award and the State Award.
The Secretary prayed for the departed soul and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family
It may be mentioned that Ustad Ghulam Mohammad Saznawaz belonged to the family of Ustad Hadi joo, who came to the Kashmir during the times of Mughals. Saznawaz learned this art right from his childhood when he was only 6 years old under the guidance of his father Ustad Ramzan joo and his Uncle Ustad Sidiq joo. Though being a group member of father and uncle, saznawaz learned this art with a great perfection. Saznawaz attain fame very quickly as his father and uncle was already well recognized sufiyana maestros.
Saznawaz was employed in Radio Kashmir as staff artist in the year. He becomes most popular musician of the valley. He had performed in hundreds of programs in and out of the state. Ustad saznawaz has been honored by many appreciations and awards by state as well as central government like, “sanad” appreciation by Sadiq memorial committee, sangeet natak academy award by central govt., Tulsi award by Madhya Pradesh govt., Shakir and Aslam award by state govt., Sher-e-kashmir sheikh Mohammed Abdullah award by sopori academy (SAMAPA) and also so many appreciations from the state govt. saznawaz was honored as “Man of the year 2001” by American biographical institute (ABI).
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