A 10-year-old boy from central Kashmir’s Budgam district has won people’s hearts with his voice and art.
Shahid Manzoor from the Nadigam village has mesmerised the audience by singing Kashmiri folk songs and performing them along with instruments on various occasions.
Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Shahid said he took an interest in music from his father. “My father is an artist, and I used to accompany him on several occasions when I was studying in the Second standard. At the time, I wasn't singing; instead playing small boxes. My father recognised a skill in me, and over time, I began singing and playing instruments like Tabla and Tumbaknaer – a traditional musical instrument in Kashmir,” he said.
“When I attended the events with my father and his group, I began picking up tips from him. People were complimenting me on how well I performed, and this encouraged me,” Shahid said, adding, “After returning from school, I attend the rehearsal in addition to studying and playing with my friends.”
The 10-year-old has been singing for five years now and has travelled to Mumbai, Kerala, and other places to perform. “The love I received from people encourages me to keep doing it,” he said.
Manzoor Ahmad, his father, told KNO that he wants to pass on this talent to the next generation.
“Whenever I go to any event, whether it is a wedding or a government event, people want Shahid over me and they adore and support him a lot,” he said, adding that his son took a little time to learn the talent.
The reason to keep him engaged with this culture is to preserve it for the next generation, he added.
“Nowadays, we see the government is taking steps for reviving the cinema in Kashmir and many Bollywood films are being made here. It is high time that the government supports and helps him in taking this art into the film industry,” Manzoor said. “The people across the country will surely love it.”
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