Gulzar Ahmad Ganie

Born in 1960 in village Mirgund, Pattan, Baramulla district in the State of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Gulzar Ahmad Ganaie was groomed under the tutelage of various illustrious folk musicians of Kashmir namely Shri Bashir Ahmad Shah, Shri Ali Mohammad, Shri Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Bhat, Shri Abdullah Ganaie, and Shri Abdul Rahim Bhat. An exceedingly popular performer, Shri Gulzar Ahmad Ganaie has an extensive experience of performing, disseminating, teaching, and promoting the folk music of Jammu and Kashmir especially Chakri. He is a graded artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan, and has created and produced an acclaimed musical programme based on various folk music genres of Jammu and Kashmir, Chakker te Rouf. He has represented his State in many prestigious festivals in the country and abroad. Shri Gulzar Ahmad Ganaie has authored a book on the art and culture of Jammu and Kashmir, titled, Indrazun Darbar. He has to his credit a large number of recordings of folk music. For his service to folk music, Shri Gulzar Ahmad Ganaie has received several awards from various cultural organizations. Presently, he is serving as a Member of the General Council of the Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Srinagar, and is Chairman of the Kashmir Gulokar Society. Shri Gulzar Ahmad Ganaie receives the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his contribution to the folk music of Jammu and Kashmir.