The rabab — a lute-like instrument with 16-17 strings originating from Afghanistan and adapted by Kashmiri musicians centuries ago — has remained an essential part of Kashmiri folk music. Ganaie, an amateur himself, has started a Kashmir Rabab Academy in his hometown, Budgam and is offering preliminary rabab lessons to children. “We regularly organise folk music festivals and many artistes participate in it. A US-based organisation, Funkar International, focused on preserving Kashmiri folk music, has promised to contribute two or three rababs for Ganaie’s academy. “I tell them that if they want to listen to Kashmiri folk songs, it cannot happen without the folk instruments, like rabab or sarangi,” he said.

Source: Hindustan Times December 02, 2017 14:32 UTC