I want Kashmiri language to reach Bollywood, says singer Ishfaq Kawa

Ishfaq kawa, a young Kashmiri singer from Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir is aspiring to promote more Kashmiri language in Bollywood through his singing.

“I want the Kashmiri language to reach Bollywood and I also want to reach Bollywood. I am working hard to reach Mumbai and perform in Bollywood,” said Ishfaq.

Kawa who is part of a local music band Rooh, has performed in various major cities around the country.

“There was no such atmosphere of singing here, but I learned by listening to others. I wanted to make Kashmir proud. I am having God gifted talent which inspired me towards singing”, said the young singer while sharing his interest.

He is said to have been inspired by Vijay Kumar Malla, a renowned Kashmiri singer.

“We were not having any platform, but with social media the latent of Kashmir gets recognition. I also got appreciation through social media”, said the young singer.

The viral Song ‘channa mereya’ , which the Kashmiri singer launched in a Kashmiri version went viral and gave him the motivation to sing more and take singing as a career.

“Having performed in Chandigarh, Delhi and Hyderabad along with Jammu & Kashmir, I am eager to make a mark in Bollywood. I got very good responses from everywhere. People appreciate our singing style”, Ishfaq added.

Ishfaq states that in Kashmir folk music is very popular and it needs to be promoted at the same level as Punjabi songs, which are popular both nationally and internationally. “We have now started promoting Kashmiri in a new style”, stated kawa.

In this latest feat, Ishfaq has completed a video shoot for his next Kashmiri song in a nearby village. This video album will be launched to promote Kashmiri music.