Jammu and Kashmir artists

Jammu and Kashmir's artists include master musicians, poets who sang their own verse and craftspeople whose shawls and carpets are known around the world.

Music

The santoor, a hammered string instrument once used for Sufiana Kalam (Sufi music of Kashmir), was brought to the concert stage by Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, who was born in Jammu. The 16th-century poet Habba Khatoon's songs are still sung, and Raj Begum, whose voice was heard on Radio Kashmir for decades, received the Padma Shri.

Folk theatre and dance

Bhand Pather is satirical folk theatre played by travelling troupes. Rouf is danced by women in rows at festivals, and the Kud and Dogri songs belong to the Jammu region.

Painting and crafts

Basohli in Kathua district gave its name to a bold, bright school of Pahari painting. Kashmir's craftspeople make Pashmina and Kani shawls, hand-knotted carpets, papier-mache and walnut-wood carving.

Sources

• Sangeet Natak Akademi: India's national academy of music, dance and drama (Ministry of Culture)
• Indian Culture: the Ministry of Culture's portal on India's arts, crafts and heritage
• Padma Awards: the official list of Padma award winners (Government of India)
• Lalit Kala Akademi: India's national academy of fine arts (Ministry of Culture)