GHULAM QADIR LANGOO
I would see him walking to his office or returning from his duties
along the Residency Road . He probably lived across Budshah Bridge in Shaheed
Ganj locality . His communication style , dress and appearance was more of a
Dervish than a singer or musician .He would sing , mimic and play Noatt ( Matka
) Tumbaknaari , Harmonium and finally Taanpura . He had a strikingly distinct
voice when he sang in a group. He is credited with bringing Raj Begum and some
other female singers to Radio Kashmir .Lively , humorous and sharp , he always
maintained a low profile . Some friends called him a joker but many would agree
that he knew all the basics of sufiana singing and Hafiz Nagma . He himself
once told me that his Grand father was a mimic Artist while his father was a
sufina singer and Santoor Player . He also informed that his Father and Grand
father performed at the Darbar of Maharaja Hari singh .
Ghulam Qadir langoo has performed before Pandit jawahar lal Nehru
,Sheikh Mohd Abdullah and Bakshi Ghulam Mohd .He has sung individually as well
before Bakshi Ghulam Mohd many times .
once i suggested to him that he should give up smoking . To this he
replied ..
“ Tche vuchh shanker Maharaj Kyah karie or Let you see what Lord Shiva
shall do ”
When i brought SHASTRIYA SANGEET to our discussion, he was all praise
for Pandit Shamboo Nath Sopori who gave him some professional training and made
him familiar with some Ragas of Hindustani classical music . When i switched
over to contribution of Radio kashmir towards creating Quality in traditional
Kashmiri music , he was full of praise for Mohan Lal Aima ,who ,according to
him ,revolutionized Kashmiri music and singing .
( Ghulam Qadir Langoo with Vijay Malla)
( Ghulam Qadir Langoo with Vijay Malla)
Ghulam Qadir Langoo was himself employed in Radio Kashmir Srinagar whereat
he mostly played Taanpura for some eminent performing artist like Lata Mangeshkar, Mohinder Kapoor and Begum Akhtar . Taanpura supports and
sustains the melody of another instrument or singer by providing a continuous
harmonic drone.
Syed Zeeshan Fazil , who retired
from a very senior position in Doordarshan adds:
“ I first time interviewed him in 1986 soon after my return from DDK
jalandhar. It was a great production by Naseem khan.I had an another chance to
book him for New year programme of 1989, this time in a special appearance
singing a kashmiri song in a pop tune which turned to be a super duper
item of the show. Langoo sahib used to give tanpora
accompaniment to Begum Akhtar. He introduced many female voices in the field of
music. He is himself a versatile folk singer. Fazil memorial has honoured him
with an Award for his outstanding contribution some years back.”
Noted kashmiri singer Rita kaul adds:
"Whenever i used to sing in Radio kashmir ,he used to play Tanpura .
Really a great artist who always gave blessings. I have great regards for him .God bless Langoo Sahab.”
Adds Arti Tiku Kaul another well known
singer from kashmir:
“ Brings back so many memories of him sitting with his tanpura and
accompanying me on so many radio programs and recordings and other stage shows.
He was such a spiritual being in the Radio Kashmir musical fraternity and would
always put his hand on my head and say words of blessings before and after my performances.
He would sometimes also entertain the artists with his mimicry acts of
different styles of music especially western music, using gibberish words but
keeping the musical style which threw everyone into laughter. He was also very
appreciative of Mohan lal Aima who helped him and other artists find an
identity and respect.”
He must be more than 95 years but service to kashmiri music remains
still uppermost in his mind . I conclude this post with lines from a song of
kashmiri poet late Dina Nath Naadim.The lines have also been rendered to simple English by me ..
Assavun soantaa iyee taara Tarithh
Aeissi Praraan Teihendiss Deedarus
Vizi Vizi Bormuut Athh lol panun
Sheenus Taapus Maagus Haarus
( Dina Nath Naadim )
A Blushing spring shall soon cross over this side
We too are waiting to spot it over here .
We offered love’s warmth every time to it ,
Even during Snowy winter month of Maagha
or the Summer month of Haar .
( Avtar Mota 12.06.2014 )
PS
My special thanks to "Kashmir Life" a weekly Published from kashmir for this photograph of Shri Ghulam Qadir Langoo..
Based on a work at http:\\autarmota.blogspot.com\.
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