SANJAY PANDITA
In the cultural fabric of Jammu and Kashmir, the Gojri language, spoken predominantly by the Gujjars, takes center stage. This region serves as a dynamic hub for ethnocultural activities, fostering a rich heritage that extends beyond linguistic nuances. The Gujjar community in Jammu and Kashmir has been instrumental in propagating, preserving, and documenting various facets of their cultural identity.
At the core of this cultural mosaic is the Gojri language, serving as a vital thread that binds the community together. This linguistic expression is complemented by a range of rituals, customs, and traditions that have been handed down through generations. Jammu and Kashmir, in particular, play a pivotal role in not only sustaining these cultural properties but also in ensuring their proliferation.
The Gojri culture in this region is a living testimony to the resilience and uniqueness of the Gujjar tribe. The cultural landscape encompasses not only the linguistic diversity encapsulated in Gojri but also an array of rituals that reflect the deep-rooted traditions of the community. Customs passed down through time, each with its own significance, contribute to the colorful fabric of Gujjar life.
Folklore and literature further enrich the cultural heritage of the Gujjars in Jammu and Kashmir. These narratives, handed down through oral traditions or documented in various forms, encapsulate the collective wisdom, history, and ethos of the community. The literature, in particular, serves as a mirror reflecting the aspirations, struggles, and triumphs of the Gujjar tribe. A vibrant fusion of rituals, customs, traditions, folklore, and literature paints a distinctive canvas, captivating not only the Gujjars but resonating as a cultural beacon across the subcontinent. Within this tapestry, Bashir Mastana emerges as a colossal figure, his musical prowess elevating Gojri music to celestial heights. His contributions echo not only within the Gujjar community but reverberate across the entire state, etching his name as a household legend in the vast realm of musical artistry. Born on December 20, 1964, in the remote village of Khankote in Doda District, Bashir Mastana has a remarkable journey tied to the nomadic life of the Gujjar-Bakerwals community. Despite starting his education in a Mobile School, which moved with the migratory students through the Himalayan reaches, Bashir was drawn to the enchanting world of folk singing.
From the age of 12, Bashir’s melodious voice resonated in Mobile School programs and tribal community gatherings. His unique singing style quickly endeared him to the hearts of the Gujjars, Bakerwals, and other communities. Today, the echoes of Gojri Folk music concerts remain incomplete without the presence of Bashir and the rhythmic cadence of his ‘Sarangi.’
Captivated by the rich musical heritage of his tribe, Bashir made a significant decision to leave his formal education midway. His dedication to preserving and celebrating the cultural legacy of the Gujjar community through folk singing became a lifelong commitment. His journey unfolds against the backdrop of the Himalayas, where nomadic life shapes his experiences and influences his musical expressions.
In 1994, Bashir Mastana donned the uniform of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, serving as a cop in Doda. Even within the realm of law enforcement, his passion for music remained unwavering. As a member of the Police Cultural team, he continued to infuse the vibrant strains of Gojri folk music into the fabric of his everyday life.
What sets Bashir apart is not only his vocal prowess but his groundbreaking contributions to the very instruments that accompany his songs. Among Gojri artists, his name stands at the pinnacle for transforming the traditional ‘Sarangi’ into the ‘Gojri Sargi.’ This metamorphosis involved adding nine more strings to the original instrument’s base, extending the ‘Gaj’ (the stick that plays the Sarangi) to double its normal length. The result was a musical masterpiece, producing slow and soft rhythms that encapsulate the true essence of Gojri Folk music.
Bashir’s ingenuity did not stop there; he coined the term ‘Toota Sargi’ for this modified Gojri Sarangi. This instrument, distinct from those played in Classical, Punjabi, Kashmiri, or Dogri music, became a vehicle for Bashir to weave tales of valor, love, and life through his soulful renditions of Gojri Folk Songs, Gojri Bait, and Si-Harfis.
His deep connection with the Gojri literary tradition is evident in his renditions of works by eminent poets like Mian Nizam ud Din Larvi, Khuda Baksh Zaar, Zabeh Rajourvi, Shams ud Din Mehjoor Poonchi, Shams ud Din Mehjoor Rajourvi, Israel Asar, Nazir Ahmed Nazir, and other Sufi poets of Gojri. Bashir’s performances extend beyond mere entertainment; they are a testament to the cultural richness and linguistic vibrancy of the Gujjars.
Joining the ranks of renowned Gojri folk singers, Bashir Mastana achieved the coveted ‘Grade A’ status from All India Radio in Folk-Singing, a rarity among regional languages in Jammu and Kashmir. His influence transcended regional boundaries when, in 2013, his Folk singing program was uplinked on the National hook-up, reaching 200 stations of ‘Vividh Bharati Service’ across India and major cities, covering 97% of the population.
He is the only ‘Tribal Singer’ in J&K whose Folk singing program was uplinked on National hook-up relayed by 200 -stations of ‘Vividh Bharati Service’ across the country and major cities covering 97% of the Indian population, in the year 2013, .
Bashir’s artistry extends to more than 500 songs in Gojri and Badherwahi, leaving an indelible mark on the musical landscape. His popular audio records, including Changair, Kuku Paradesiya, Shopiyaa Wahy, Baisakh Baharr, Charkho, Sohnny Gujaraniye, Dhokk, Si-Harfein, Gojri Chanat, Dard Firaq, Gojri-Louk Geet, and Apu Dil Laita Tusha – Badherwahi, showcase the depth and versatility of his musical expression.
Draped in the traditional attire of the Gujjar community, Bashir graces high-profile programs organized by All India Radio, Jammu, the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, the Department of Tribal Affairs, and other cultural institutions. His performances, marked by a turban, trimmed mustache, and long beard, exude a unique demeanor that resonates with the essence of the Gujjar culture.
Beyond the local stage, Bashir Mastana has been a vital part of J&K Cultural Troupes in interstate events held across India. His participation in the month-long Delhi Republic Day parade in 2014 and 2019, representing J&K Tribals under the banner of the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages, underscored his cultural ambassadorship.
Collaborating with renowned artists such as Kalaish Mehra, Deepali Watal, Shabnum Akhter Bano, Ardo Benerji, and others, Bashir Mastana has showcased the universality of Gojri folk music. His duets and collaborations add another layer to the intricate fabric of cultural exchange within the diverse musical landscape of Jammu and Kashmir.
Acknowledged for his exceptional contributions, Bashir Mastana has received accolades from the J&K Government, Tribal Affairs Department J&K, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Doordarshan, Gurjardesh Charitable Trust Jammu, and Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation. His journey stands as a testament to his unwavering commitment to preserving and revitalizing tribal music in the north-western states of India, where the Gujjars find their home.
In conclusion, Bashir Mastana emerges not just as a singer but as a custodian of a cultural legacy. His innovative approach to musical instruments, his profound connection with Gojri literature, and his mesmerizing performances have carved a niche for Gojri folk music on the national stage. Bashir Mastana is not just an artist; he is a cultural luminary whose legacy reverberates through the mountains and resonates in the hearts of those who cherish the rich heritage of the Gujjars.
The writer can be reached at sanjaypanditasp@gmail.com
