Meet the Last Guardian of Kashmir’s Indigenous Music Craft। Ghulam Muhammad Zaz। Padma awards

In the heart of Srinagar valley, a fading tradition finds its last custodian, Ghulam Muhammad Zaz who is Kashmir’s last indigenous musical instrument maker. Born into a family of master craftsmen, Zaz took his first steps in his grandfather’s workshop, where the rich sounds of Kashmiri santoor, rabab, and sarangi echoed through generations. By his early twenties, he had honed the skill to craft these delicate instruments independently, keeping alive a centuries-old legacy.