Jammu & KashmirPage 1
CM Omar writes to Union Minister, seeks UNESCO tag for Kashmiri Sufiyana Music
Says global recognition will help preserve centuries-old musical tradition
01 Jul 2026 05:03 IST
MUKEET AKMALI
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Srinagar, Jun 30: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged the Union Ministry of Culture to initiate the process for securing UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) status for Kashmiri Sufiyana Music, describing the classical art form as one of Jammu and Kashmir’s most distinguished cultural and spiritual traditions
In a letter addressed to Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Chief Minister sought sympathetic consideration of a proposal submitted by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Jammu and Kashmir Chapter, for inscription of Kashmiri Sufiyana Music, also known as Sufiana Kalam or Sufiana Mousiqi, on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
The Chief Minister said Kashmiri Sufiyana Music represents a unique synthesis of Sufi philosophy, devotional poetry and classical melody, reflecting Jammu and Kashmir’s composite cultural heritage and centuries-old traditions of harmony and inclusiveness
“Recognition by UNESCO would not only ensure international visibility and safeguarding of this invaluable tradition but would also facilitate its preservation, documentation, promotion, and transmission to future generations,” the letter states
CM Omar acknowledged that the nomination process requires preparation of a comprehensive dossier through the prescribed institutional mechanism and noted that INTACH Kashmir had expressed willingness to provide technical assistance in preparing the nomination documents, drawing on its previous experience with UNESCO-related heritage initiatives
The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to have the proposal examined sympathetically and initiate the necessary action through the appropriate channels, saying international recognition of the musical tradition would be a matter of pride not only for Jammu and Kashmir but for the country as a whole
The proposal was originally submitted to the Chief Minister by Saleem Beg, Convenor INTACH Kashmir Chapter on May 26. In its communication, the heritage body said Kashmiri Sufiyana Music fulfils the core eligibility criteria for inscription under UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage framework, which recognises oral traditions and performing arts of outstanding cultural value
INTACH explained that under the prescribed procedure, the nomination has to be forwarded by the state government to the Sangeet Natak Akademi under the Union Ministry of Culture, following which a detailed nomination dossier is prepared and submitted for further processing before being forwarded to UNESCO for final consideration
The organisation said it had previously prepared UNESCO nomination dossiers for Srinagar under the Creative Cities Network and for other heritage initiatives, including crafts and media arts, and was prepared to undertake the documentation and research required for the Sufiyana Music nomination as well
According to the concept note attached with the proposal, inscription on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List would provide international recognition to the tradition, strengthen community pride, encourage documentation and research, and support sustainable cultural tourism
The note describes Kashmiri Sufiyana Music as a classical musical tradition rooted in Sufi mysticism that embodies Kashmir’s composite culture and long-standing ethos of spiritual harmony
