Dr. Rizwan Rumi
There are some voices that do not merely sing songs; they preserve time. They become repositories of memory, carrying within them the fragrance of forgotten evenings, the stillness of old homes, the innocence of vanished generations, and the emotional geography of an entire people.
In Kashmir, one such voice belonged to Vijay Malla.
A few evenings ago, while absentmindedly scrolling through social media—lost in the endless, restless noise of the digital world—a small video clip suddenly appeared before me. Yet, before my mind could even recognize the singer, my heart already had.
It was Vijay Malla, singing his immortal rendition of “Chani Loolech Daagdari Mea Ratem”—a melody soaked in longing and remembrance. Within moments, the modern world disappeared.
Suddenly, I found myself transported to the Kashmir of another era—a Kashmir where evenings carried silence instead of notifications, where homes breathed warmth and where radios were treasured companions in every household. Those were evenings scented with noon chai and the comforting warmth of the kangri. After Maghrib prayers, families would quietly gather together while the cold Kashmiri air pressed softly against wooden windows.
Back then, people did not search for songs; they waited for them. And among the countless voices that flowed from Radio Kashmir, Vijay Malla’s voice possessed a rare and mystical power.
From Habba Kadal to the Hearts of Millions
Born in Srinagar’s culturally vibrant locality of Habba Kadal, Vijay Malla grew up amidst the rich traditions of Kashmiri music and poetry. His journey into music was not merely a profession but a calling shaped by the artistic spirit of the Valley.
Trained in classical music under distinguished maestros, Malla developed an extraordinary command over melody and expression. His grounding in classical traditions endowed his voice with depth and versatility, allowing him to move effortlessly between Kashmiri folk songs, Sufi compositions, bhajans and ghazals.
As a leading artist associated with Radio Kashmir and Doordarshan, he soon became a household name. Long before the arrival of streaming platforms and smartphones, his songs travelled from one home to another through radio waves, becoming part of Kashmir’s collective memory.
His voice transcended geography. Though he later worked beyond the Valley and collaborated with major music labels, his soul remained deeply rooted in Kashmir.
A Voice That United Memories
Vijay Malla belonged to a generation whose music transcended social, political, and religious boundaries. In a land marked by displacement and upheaval, his songs remained a shared inheritance for Kashmiris across communities.
His renditions of the verses of great poets such as Lal Ded, Habba Khatoon, Rasul Mir and Mahjoor transformed poetry into living emotion. For those who left Kashmir, his voice became the sound of home itself—a reminder of snow-covered rooftops, flowing rivers, and the golden chinars of autumn.
For those who stayed behind, his songs became companions during long winter evenings and silent moments of reflection.
Even today, when one listens to “Harmokh Bartal Gov Walo Myani Dilbaro…”, something within the soul begins to stir. His music carried the tenderness of love, the ache of separation, the serenity of spirituality and the quiet dignity of Kashmiri life.
The Art of Singing Emotion
What distinguished Vijay Malla was not merely the beauty of his voice but his profound understanding of poetry. He did not simply sing words; he inhabited them.
Every note carried meaning. Every pause held emotion.
Songs such as “Chani Loolech Daagdari Mea Ratem” remain timeless expressions of love and longing, while compositions like “Harmokh Bartal” reveal the spiritual depth and classical finesse that defined his artistry.
His ghazals possessed a softness and intimacy that touched listeners across generations. Whether performing a folk melody or a classical composition, Malla infused each song with an unmistakable Kashmiri sensibility.
An Irreplaceable Loss
The world of music was plunged into grief when Vijay Malla passed away in October 2012. His untimely departure left a void that remains unfilled.
Yet, some artists do not truly leave us.
Today, music often arrives hurriedly and disappears just as quickly into the endless digital stream. Songs are consumed in seconds and forgotten within days. But certain voices defy the passage of time.
Vijay Malla belonged to that rare category of artists whose work continues to resonate long after the final note has faded.
The Melody That Refuses to Die
The radios have largely fallen silent. Wooden homes have given way to concrete structures, and glowing smartphone screens have replaced evening gatherings around a transistor set. Time has marched forward without pause.
And yet, somewhere in the Valley, against the whispering winter wind and beneath the shadow of snow-covered mountains, Vijay Malla’s voice still plays softly.
It lives in old cassette collections, in cherished memories, in nostalgic conversations, and in the hearts of those who grew up listening to him.
More than a singer, Vijay Malla was a custodian of Kashmir’s emotional heritage. His songs preserved not only melodies but an entire way of life.
Years after his passing, he continues to remind us that some voices never fade, some memories never disappear and some melodies never truly die.
Dr. Rizwan Rumi is a writer, columnist and author with a doctorate degree. He regularly writes for various national and international publications and has published extensively on education, society and contemporary issues.
