The Queen of Kashmiri Folk: Remembering Razia Ashrif

 

Razia Ashrif

Razia Ashrif is remembered as one of Kashmir’s most powerful and authentic folk voices, often hailed as the Queen of Kashmiri Folk Music. Deeply rooted in the Gujjar-Bakerwal tradition, her songs reflected the lived realities of nomadic life—migration through mountains, emotional bonds with land, and the quiet strength of Gujjar women.

Her rise came through Radio Kashmir and Srinagar Telivision Centre, where her earthy, unpolished voice stood apart from mainstream styles. Razia Ashrif sang not for fame, but for memory. Each performance carried oral histories that had survived for generations, turning folk songs into living archives of culture. Her music spoke of love and loss, resilience and dignity, echoing the rhythms of highland life in Kashmir.

What made Razia Ashrif unique was her ability to blend emotion with authenticity. She remained faithful to folk traditions at a time when many artists were moving toward commercial music. Today, her songs continue to circulate on social media and community platforms, reconnecting younger audiences with their cultural roots.

In Gujjar and Bakerwal households across Kashmir, her name still commands respect. Razia Ashrif was more than a singer—she was a cultural bridge between past and present, a voice that ensured Kashmir’s folk soul would never fall silent.

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