Renowned Kashmiri singer Ustaad Ghulam Nabi Bulbul passes away. Radio Kashmir colleagues, fans recall his contributions

Ziraat Times News Desk 

Srinagar: The world of Kashmiri music and folk tradition suffered an irreparable loss today with the passing away of legendary singer and Sarangi maestro, Ustaad Ghulam Nabi Bulbul. He breathed his last at 6:00 AM this morning in his native village Batsuma, Dangiwacha, Rafiabad, Baramulla district.

Ustad Bulbul was widely known for his soulful renditions, graceful stage presence, and profound contribution to the cultural heritage of Jammu & Kashmir.

A towering figure in the landscape of traditional Kashmiri music, Ustaad Bulbul was not only celebrated for his melodious voice but also revered for his deep humility and noble temperament. A lifelong member of the Kashmir Singers’ Society, he mentored generations of young artists and remained an active custodian of Kashmir’s folk traditions until his final days.

His burial prayers were held today at 10:00 AM in his native village, with a large number of mourners from the local community, music fraternity, and cultural circles in attendance. The Fateha Khwani (special prayer ceremony) is scheduled for June 14, 2025, at the same location.

The Kashmir Singers’ Society expressed its profound grief and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, especially to his son, Sarwar Bulbul. “His departure has left a deep void in the musical soul of the valley,” said the Society in a statement. “May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdous and give patience to his family and admirers.”

The loss has also been keenly felt by stalwarts of Jammu & Kashmir’s cultural and literary communities. Rafeeq Masoodi, patron of Adbi Markaz Kamraz and former Secretary of the J&K Cultural Academy, who is currently in Berlin, Germany, described Bulbul as a “versatile artist par excellence,” lauding his mastery over folk glass dance and Sarangi playing. Speaking to this news portal, he said, “This is a huge loss to the art and folk performance traditions of J&K. Bulbul Sahib will be remembered for a long time.”

Former Director of the J&K Information Department and noted author Khalid Bashir Ahmad also paid a moving tribute, recalling Bulbul as part of a closely-knit group of creative professionals who shaped the golden era of cultural broadcasting and documentation in the region.

“Each recent loss—Feroz Jan, Nisar Rahi, Mohammad Sultan Bhat, Bashir Ahmad Bazaz, and now Bulbul Sahib—feels like another chapter of Kashmir’s cultural history closing. Their memory is now both a legacy and a sorrow,” he wrote.