The first ever open-air Kashmiri music and cultural event was organized at the scenic meadows of Dhoodpathri in Budgam on Saturday, organisers said in a statement.
“Dozens of Kashmiri folk artists and musicians from variousparts of Kashmir performed at the event, ‘Vath’, which attracted hundreds oflocals, students and tourists,” they said.
“The idea behind the event was to promote the Kashmirilanguage and culture among the young audience. The reason they chose Doodpathrias the venue was to give audience a feel of Kashmir’s stunning landscape andit’s rich culture,” they added.
Rizwan Javed, the co-founder of the Srinagar based startupSlickRoute, that organized the event, said “Vath” was organised to provide anopportunity and a platform for tourists, locals, and businesses from all overKashmir to celebrate the rich history and heritage of Kashmir for centuries.”We have somehow become distant from the language and the culture,especially the young people of Kashmir. Vath was an effort to revive theinterest,” Javed said.
The locals and tourists who attended the event were left inawe by Bandpather performed by Rayees Wathori and his troop. Other performancesincluded Ladisha and Sufiyana Kalam, there was also a performance by nationalaward winner Manzoor -Ul- Haq. A painting exhibition was also held at theevent.
The other co-founder of SlickRoute, Asif Firdous, said,”Kashmiri music and art has not picked up as nobody has marketed it well.”