Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 31: Mushtaq Ahmad Dar, a third-generation Rabab maker from Narbal in Budgam, is keeping this traditional art alive through his skill and dedication.
In his small workshop in Narbal in the outskirts of Srinagar city, Dar and a dozen workers tirelessly craft melodious Rababs, paying close attention to every detail and shape.
Dar not only makes the instruments himself but also teaches nearly a dozen apprentices to ensure the art remains alive. “This art runs in my blood, and I am sure my children, although young now, will learn it just as I did. I am also teaching others so the art lives on,” he said.
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He recalls starting at the age of 10, learning the craft from his father, who learned it from his own father. “I am the third generation carrying on this art. Since I was a kid, I have watched my dad making Rababs. When someone in the family is involved with a craft, everyone else naturally becomes part of it,” he said.
Rababs are mostly made from mulberry wood, known for producing a soft melody. Each piece takes over a month to complete, as it involves several stages. “After sourcing the wood, we first dry it before gradually shaping it into a Rabab. Next, we attach the pegs and strings, followed by decoration,” he said.
He shared that the origins of the rabab trace back to Peshawar, Pakistan, but it has since been adopted globally, including in Kashmir, where it is known as the “king of melody.” The main difference between the Peshawari and Kashmiri rabab is the size, with the Kashmiri version being smaller. “All rababs are the same, but the sizes vary. The Kashmiri rabab is smaller than the Peshawari one,” he said.
Due to his dedication to quality, Dar receives most of his orders from places like Mumbai and Gujarat. “Most orders come from outside Kashmir, including Mumbai and Gujarat,” he said. He has crafted numerous instruments, “We also make Santoor and Sarangi and receive many orders,” he said.
However, his work has received limited recognition. “Apart from the handicraft department, no one has recognized my work,” he said.
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