Partition of India in 1947, and its aftermath, has proved detrimental to the wealth of traditions, which people on both sides of the dividing line suffered in course of history. It is true of Jammu city. Just before the tribal incursion and liquidation of Dogra rule, over the years, Jammu developed true cultural integration primarily initiated by the Raj Durbar and subsequently accepted by the civil society. Dogra ruler Maharaja Ranbir Singh did the pioneering work of laying foundation of social, religious and cultural traditions by reviving what was the best in Indian civilization. Classical music, both instrumental and vocal, has had significant history in our country. The State also patronized artist of great reputation and bringing it out of the precincts of temples and shrines, made classical music popular among people as their traditional wealth. However, most of the classical artists remained associated with Raj Durbar, but following the axiom yatha raja tatha praja, many prominent persons from Jammu civil society adopted the tradition to adorn their family history. Pahari miniature paintings, which while portraying royal personages of Jasrota, Mankot, Jammu, Ramnagar and Poonch, often show them surrounded by musicians or listening to musical concerts. During the time of Maharaja Ranbir Singh, Pandit Kakaram Shastri, wrote a two-volume manuscript on classical music titled Sangeet Mahodadhi, in which the author wrote a number of compositions in Dhrupad and Dhammar.
The tradition lost its glory after the populist Government took over in 1948. Service to cultural fund is now entrusted to the Cultural Academy and gharanas of traditional classic music have vanished. It is a loss, and Jammu in particular, badly feels the loss.
Follow our WhatsApp channel