One trembling but melodious and divine voice echoes in the household of every Kashmiri across the globe for many many years; the devotional words chiselled in this mystic voice send every listener to the Trans and refreshes the soul; that is the Voice of a legendary ‘Sufiyana Mousiaqi Ustad’. Mohammad Abdullah Tibatbaqal, an icon of Kashmir’s composite culture ‘Kashmiryat’. More than fifty years back this great doyen sang the Shiv bhajan in Kashmiri” Bel tai madal ven gulab pamposh dastay,poozayi lagas…..” which lived on and is still part of every Kashmiri Pandith household where ever that will be settled on the globe and on the other hand he recited the Naat and Manqabat in the praise of Hazrat Mohammad ﷺ and of other Awliya Allah (Friends of GOD); This also include popular Persian composition of Hazrat Maulana Jammi (RA) “Ya Rassolay Hashmi ……….”.Ustad Mohammad Abdullah Tibatbaqal worked as a staff artist in Radio Kahmir Srinagar and also performed duties of Imamm-e- Jumma in a nearby mosque on every Friday. Interesting aspect is that Ustad was not from any traditional “Gharana” of musicians but a rebel born in a well to do Kashmiri business family, which was dealing in world famous Pashmina and dry fruits (Apricot in particular) and doing their trade with people from Russia, Ladakh, Tibet, and Yarqandh , thus they were named as ‘Bota Wani or Tibat baqal’ (Traders who deals with Tibet).It is being said that Mohammad Abdullah Tibatbaqal was just 10 or 12years old when his father Khawaja Abdul Ghani took him to one of the famous Mystics of those times to seek the blessings for him; the Murshid (Mystic mentor) was surrounded by his devotees; few local musicians were playing their instruments and as the Khawaja Abdul Ghani along with his son entered the room he (The Murshid) ordered the boy to sit next to him ; offered him some leftover tea from his cup and once the boy took few sips’ the Murshid (Mystic mentor) incoherently announced aloud that “ Finally we got a Voice ” he put his right hand on the boys head and kept murmuring “ سا میآنہ گوبراہ گیوو گیوو )sing…my son…sing .. .)” And that was the turning point for the young boy. He started reciting the Prayers as lead singer at the morning assembly of his Maktab (School) on regular basis.
Because of his liking for Sufiyana Mousiaqi later on he started receiving proper training from great Sufiyana Masters Ustad Ghani Joo and Ustad Ramzan Joo. His family vehemently opposed his interest in singing but he remained steadfast and adamant to continue receive the training and stayed associated with the art. In 1948 as Radio Kashmir was established Ustad Tibetbaqal was appointed a staff artist; his voice started reaching to every household of Kashmir and soon he not only got famous but became a household name .His attempt to blend the Sufiyana Kalam with local Kashmiri dialect was a very good venture and was highly acclaimed. He continued to sing (spiritual songs) from Radio Kashmir while receiving appreciation from lovers of this art especially his best capabilities to play Santoor. He, at times, played other instruments like Saaz-e-Kashmir, Sitar, Harmonium and Tabla. Ustad Tibatbaqal’s contribution is immense in enriching the traditional sufiana music both in style and content. He was first person from the state to receive Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 1972, honored with Robe of Honour by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Pride of Performance, Kala Kendra and Golden Jubilee Award – All India Radio by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. He remained a leading Sufi singer and instrumentalist (Santoor) of Kashmir at global level. In 1944, Taj Company of Lahore recorded some Solo instrumental Santoor recitals of Ustaad Tibetbaqal besides other recitations and archived them for preservation.
It is worth to mention that Marhoom Tibatbaqal’s grandson Aadil Tibetbaqal is now carrying the highly rich and inherited treasure of his grandfather to the upcoming lovers of Sufiyana Mousiaqi.
The author is the Writer & Director and can be mailed at <faiyazdilbar@gmail.com>
