Maurif Bashir: Singing Against the Odds

Suhail Khan

Srinagar, Dec 23 : In Kashmir, pursuing one’s passion or following one’s dreams has been a challenge for centuries. It is a society where one must often think carefully before taking any step, wondering, “Will society accept this move?” This is a society where barriers still exist and stereotypes remain to be broken not just for women, but for men as well.

When it comes to villages, these challenges are perhaps even greater. However, with the era of digitalization and information, people’s mindsets are changing. Slowly but surely, these evolving perspectives are beginning to transform circumstances.

Over the years, claims have been made about change in the situation, development, prosperity, and progress. Yet, despite these claims, one shocking and disheartening trend is the growing involvement of youth in drugs and other social evils; a number that has been increasing in recent years.

But amid these deteriorating and challenging conditions, flowers are still blooming. There are stars in the making who are shining brightly—young guns who are making their mark. They are not only challenging barriers but are also setting an example.

In recent years, such youngsters have reached great heights. They fight, they fought, they win, they shine. They have made their families, society, Kashmir, and indeed the entire country proud. They are setting a mark for others to follow their dreams and passions, no matter the challenges or circumstances.

A gradual change is becoming visible. Despite a challenging phase, stars are in the making.

Among them is a young gun setting his mark on the music world. His voice is winning hearts and creating a space for people to celebrate his soundtracks.

Meet Maurif Bashir, a young musician in the making.

Born in a small village in the northern region of Kashmir’s Sopore a town with a long history where following one’s dreams was always a significant challenge. Once a hotbed of militancy, where separatists held a strong grip, the changing mentality of its people has transformed Sopore’s circumstances. Slowly, the youth here have begun to not only follow their dreams but also compete with young people across the country. This process continues…

Grown in a village where mindsets are often limited and people prefer to live within boundaries, most households operate on the notion that one should get an education and then try for a government job or involve themselves in local agriculture. However, this trend is changing. The shift is gaining momentum as the youth become more aware and efforts toward building a bright future are underway.

“It took me a long time to decide whether I could really step forward to follow my dream in the music world,” said Maurif Bashir in an exclusive interview with Kashmir Convener.

He said, “It was tough at the initial stage. I used to sing secretly, even hiding it from my family. However, after years of struggle and on my friends’ suggestion, I told them.”

After a lot of thought, I informed my family. Though it was difficult for them to accept me at first, things gradually began to change, and they started to support me.

I started with hip hop in my early days, but later, when I found its style didn’t suit the local taste in Kashmir, I began singing cover songs and uploading them to Instagram.

This was also a challenge initially, as I had very little reach. My motive was never fame; it was simply my passion that I was following.

Being from Kashmir, I have always felt a sense of pride in my mother tongue, so I later switched to promoting the Kashmiri language through my music.

As the saying goes, efforts never go to waste. When you have a true passion to follow, it definitely gets recognized. The same happened for me my efforts were valued by Kashmir’s famous musical duo, Faheem Abdullah and Arslan Nizami, who have recently made history and now follow me on Instagram.

As a young artist, I said that their support gave me a boost to continue pursuing my dream.

I believe that although there are always challenges ahead, but nothing is impossible. Your determination towards your goal can always take you to the heights you wish to achieve.

Kashmir has a long and rich musical tradition, and today, music is becoming its new voice. Young men and women are no longer hindered in pursuing their passion for music.

In recent years, many young artists have been making their mark locally, nationally, and even globally. They are creating original music that recalls the Valley’s Sufi traditions.

Recently, a musical duo from Kashmir became a household name worldwide after their hit track in the Bollywood film Saiyaara. Their success has reestablished the historical connection between Bollywood and Kashmir.