Baramulla, Aug 24: For most 17-year-olds, the money a father hands over is meant for new clothes, a treat, or perhaps a small saving for later. For Mohammad Salman Naik, it became the first note of a melody that would forever alter his life’s score.
Speaking to Kashmir Convener, Salman, a Class 12 student from Salamabad Boniyar in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, shared the story of his musical journey. “My tryst with the guitar began early—in Class 1, encouraged by a teacher—but it was only in Class 10 that the strings truly began to tug at my heart,” he said.
Salman revealed that he had no formal training. “I learned by watching. If someone played in front of me, I would observe their fingers carefully, go home, and practice,” he told Kashmir Convener.
His first guitar came from an unexpected source—the money his father had given him to buy clothes. “I was very passionate about playing the guitar, so I used that money to purchase one,” Salman recalled, noting his family’s initial surprise. “They didn’t say anything at first. But when my father saw me playing and singing, he gifted me a new guitar for my Class 10 exams.”
Since then, Salman has performed across the Valley, including a recent appearance at an event attended by the Lieutenant Governor, where his talent drew praise. “People tell me I’m doing a good job. That motivates me,” he said.
His ambitions, however, extend far beyond the snow-capped peaks of his homeland. “I want to perform in every state of India—and outside India as well,” he declared, before adding with rare humility, “Even if I try, I can never be like Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.”
For Salman, music is more than performance—it is an anchor. “I have a long life ahead of me. I want to stay away from drugs, develop my skills—improve my guitar playing, learn cricket, and enhance my physical health. I want to learn everything,” he said.
When asked about his musical inspirations, he added, “I love a song from Kashmir.” It is, perhaps, the only thing he does not need to explain.
Notably, this is not an isolated tale of Salman or other established names who have already carved a niche and are scaling new peaks in the music and film industry from the Union Territory. In recent years, many young artists have been making their mark locally, nationally, and even globally, creating original music that recalls the Valley’s rich 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—a bond that had frayed during the years of militancy.
However, since the abrogation of Article 370, the situation has not only undergone a significant transformation but has also created fresh opportunities for the region’s youth to explore their creative potential.
In a major boost to the local cultural landscape, Kashmir is all set to host its first-ever International Film Festival (IFFJK), scheduled to be held from September 7 to 10. The three-day event will feature screenings of select films, masterclasses for aspiring filmmakers, and vibrant cultural performances. The inaugural edition has already evoked an enthusiastic response from the film fraternity, with over 1,100 entries pouring in from across the country and beyond.
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