Srinagar, Apr 21: Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir Saturday said the conservation of Kashmiri culture and Sufism should be prioritized over technological advancements.
  “We have to first understand our culture and get into the peaceful genre of Sufism. It is our identity and the key to peace. When there is peace every other thing does follow,” Mir said addressing Sakoon, a function held to commemorate 16th death anniversary of Ustad Ghulam Muhammad Qaleen Baft, at Institute of Hotel Management Raj Bagh.
 The commemoration function was organized by Space Communications in association with Qaleen Baft Memorial Sufiyana Music Institute and Kashmir Sufi Movement.
 Mir said people must remember personalities like Ustad Ghulam Muhammad Qaleen Baft who had stood for Kashmiri culture and peacemaking.
 “Kashmiriyat is incomplete without Sufism. We have to dig out people who have this jewel in them so that the future generation may get the essence of culture. The pupils of Ustad Qaleen Baft must come forward and spread this great art which has so far revolutionized the minds and hearts of n number of people,” the minister said.
 Ustad Muhammad Yaqoob Sheikh, on the occasion, enthralled the audience with Kashmiri Sufiyana numbers. Ustad Yaqoob presented Makaam-e-Nawah from the Lalwakh, the poetry by Lal Ded.
 The founder of Kashmir Sufi Movement, Dr Qazi Haroon said there was a “need to study indigenous poetry”.
 “Kashmir students are these days inclined to read Keats and Shakespeare, which is good. But they must also read people like Wahab Sahib Khaar and Shams Fakeer to not only preserve the culture but to get the understanding of things more accurately,” the paediatrician said.
 The CEO Space Communications Amit Wanchoo said such events of cultural importance would be held in future as well.
 On the occasion, students of Qaleen Baft Memorial Sufiyana Music Institute presented the classical Kashmiri songs.
 The function was also attended by specially-abled children who were enthralled to listen to the instrumentals.
 Later mementos were presented to the young Sufiyana singers.
 Amongst others Director Health Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman was also present on the occasion.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 21 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 21 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 22 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST