Music is the only universal language that finds audience irrespective of all formalities of life. It is said to be the medicine to the wrinkles of heart. This breathtaking impulse has enough verve to transport a listener beyond the realms of mundanity. And when this enthralling ecstasy is sweetened by connoisseurs, the elements of cosmos unfold their mysteries and anything that impels it to be felt as a whirl is indeed the voice. Every lyric that finds apt strings and soulful voice creates history. Music, lyrics and singing are symphony each contributing to the whole. One exists because other compliments, the third persuades to the extent of turning the verse into profound feeling by infusing into it melody and mood to haul up a blue bruised lesser god to the heights of solace. One such voice that rules the hearts of music lovers is the tuneful voice of late Abdul Rashid Farash, S/O Late Abdul Ahad Farash.
From a business class family of Maharaja Bazaar, Srinagar Ab. Rashid Farash started his career from a scratch by participating in customary programmes as a co-singer but owing to his talent and natural flow in singing he touched the skies. He was an approved All India Radio High Grade singer. As the handout provided to the author by his family members conveys that Ab. Rashid Farash has more than five hundred songs in different languages in his credit. He started his career with one more melodious singer of the valley who brought freshness and innovations in the field of music namely Waheed Jeelani in 1990. According to him, Farash sahib was down to earth artist, dedicated and sincere singer who had a clear cut policy of promoting his mother tongue. The duo started their singing career in Doordarshan once their voice from the then Radio Kashmir flocked the crowd round them. The popular number which according to Waheed Jeelani opened new horizons for them was: Wallah Mein Wadaan Gaash Sotuom Mein Ni Matoiu Hoo written by Mohi-ud- Nawaz and composed by late Gulam Nabi Sheikh the then Music In charge at Radio Kashmir. Abdul Rashid Farash gained the attention of the other legendary music composers like Nasr-ul Khan Sahab, Bhajan Sopari, Krishan Ji Langoo and Mohammad Ashraf Sahab. Abdul Rashid Farash ruled the heart of music lovers when his song Ha Moute Tchooro Karith Khalee kam kam Khana Ti. It was the time when he gained much attention and admiration from his fans.
He mesmerized the audience at Sham-e-Kashmir, a concert held at New Delhi by Central Production Centre Doordarshan, wherein not only his voice that was copious with simplicity and regional flow was applauded but also his selection of songs was attributed to his wisdom. His participation in programmes like Gul Gulshan Gulfaam and Saaye Deodar Ke as singer brought him in limelight which later influenced many Producers to make him sing the title songs for their works which include Anhaar, Katputli, Heemoch, Lolenaar, Samanbal and Kashur Adub. His famous album Yumberzal was the talk of the town.
According to Talha Jahangir, a famous broadcaster, Farash Sahab belongs to third generation singers which include Gh. Nabi Sheikh, Vijay Mala, Rahmat-ul-allah Khan, Munner Ahmad Mir, Waheed Jeelani and others who filled the void that was created during Nineties in Radio Kashmir. Talha sahab termed Ab. Rashid Farash as a noble soul filled up to the brim with love for mankind and devoted to art. He described Farash sahib as a true artist who was devoid of any professional rivalry, and an artist who knew the road to inexplicable heights of excellence, stuffed with substance and penetration. A sincere and a spot on learner. Farash who passed after two days before recording his last interview with G. R. Akhoon, in which he described his musical journey and the challenges he faced is enough for the upcoming singers to get inspiration and motivation.
Last year HF Foundation in a function held at Hotel Shahanshah Palace in memory of the late singer highlighted his role as a sincere singer and awarded the posthumous Award of Honour “Late Ghulam Mohammad Dar Memorial Award”.
Krishan ji Langoo, an outstanding music composer and a mentor of Ab. Rashid Farash expressed his views: “Farash Sahab was a keen learner; he would do a lot of riyaz before going to the public either through Radio or Television. I trained him, corrected his pitch, enriched his modulation, sweetened his flow, polished his voice and above all treated him like my son for the reason he was always ready to learn and listen.” Krishan Ji also revealed that Ab. Rashid Farash was an active singer in the chorus of Malika Pokhraj when she recorded a Kashmiri song Deke Doun Ma Phatrav. “I had a dream to see Ab. Rashid Farash emerging as a classical singer, but death had other plans”
Gulam Hassan Gamgeen, a well-known poet and Naat Khawan portrayed Ab. Rashid Farash as an inborn artist, humble, composed and a hardworking human being who worked tirelessly to combat with the challenges of life. Gamgeen Sahab described Ab. Rashid Farash an apt and impactful artist aided with melody and accurate pronunciation of words especially while dealing with the Shrukhs of Sheih-ul-alam R.A. Ab. Rashid Farash has skillfully sung Gamgeen Sahab’s famous Ghazal Yemberzal : Sazus Divan Mizrab Chakh Toshan Yemberzeil. His voice was dulcet to taste, aroma to senses and appropriate to rhythm and rhyme of lyrics.
This touching singer of the Valley left us on 30th December 2009. He will be remembered for his contribution in the field of singing for the generations to come. His songs shall definitely create a stir enough sturdy to imbibe a pulse, a pain and pleasure to encourage the echo within our hearts and keep refreshing the souls. Whenever we will tune in the Radio sets, his song: Mote Churo will definitely find us wanting. He may not be physically waving at us but his voice will indeed create a ripple and reach to the bay with a clear message that art lives in the human hearts and as long as the hearts throb, the artist will find his admirers.
Mushtaq B.Barq is a Columnist, Poet and Fiction Writer. He is the author of “Feeble prisoner, “ Wings of Love” and many translation works are credited to the author like “ Verses Of Wahab Khar” and “ Songs Of Sochkral”
