YEMBERZAL- THE KASHMIRI BAND

Before we embark onto this spectacular journey of few brave Kashmiri girls, let me quickly acquaint you with the relevance of the name in title; “Yemberzal”, is a name with Sanskrit origin and means “Daffodil” in Kashmiri language, the flower is Popularly known as ‘Nargis’ in the Indian subcontinent and has a traditional and cultural significance for the people of Kashmir. Yemberzal flower symbolises the arrival of spring in Kashmir after a harsh winter. The name gained its fame in the present generation after the all women Sufi band of Kashmir named their band as Yemberzal. The journey of this band was not as comforting as this flower is known for, in the contrary they faced a daunting online abuse in year 2020. However, Likewise to its true name, this band is trying hard to come out of its harsh patriarchal and conservative society and bloom like a Yemberzal, with an aim to resurrect the dying artform of Kashmiri Sufi music.

It was the year 2011, Irfana Yousuf, had just enter the adolescence and was still learning the way of life in the fragile paradise on earth. She was in the process of exploring humanity and purpose in her life, when she came across traditional Sufi music of Kashmir. At the age of 13 Irfana Yousuf was very excitedly seen by her village inmates on the public broadcaster Doordarshan playing this artform. was motivated by her father, Mohammed Yousuf who himself is a Sufi musician. Mohammed had only two daughters and no sons, hence he passed on his knowledge to both his daughters in order to keep the artform alive in the family; he has been the true inspiration to these girls and he is solely credited for the success of this band. The Story of this “All Women Sufi Band” started with this screening in year 2011, where Irfana could motivate other girls in the neighbourhood and since then she tried very hard to grasp the soul of sufiyana music and has mastered four classical instruments – Sitar, Santoor, Saaz-e-Kashmir and tabla. Riding the wave of confidence, Irfana founded the music band to revive Sufiana and Kashmiri traditional music.

The band faced a lot of criticism and hate since they started their journey, according to some, Sufi music is only for the male members of the society and was forbidden for the females, but these brave girls and their mentor paid no heed to the haters and overcame all the hurdles in their way. Over a period of time this band performed for public broadcasting and at various cultural events around the valley gathering quiet a name in the Kashmiri society. However even after so long they were not able to decide the name of their “All Women Sufi Band”. Finally they chose a name “Yemberzal”. According to the members, “people want to listen music and nothing can be better than embracing their lost tradition and culture in form of music”. Art generating Art nothing, can be more homogenous and purer form of creation.

If we go in annals of history, the Kashmiri society has had rich history of female artists and achievers. However, it is very disheartening to see the forbearance and endurance for women going below sub-zero. They are being placed in strict and regressive social boundaries fenced by the male chauvinists. The band got criticized on social media platforms and received threats from the conservative groups. Even after the online abuses, the band continued performing in various social functions and gatherings with great courage and conviction. The band believes that they will sail through the chill cold attitude of the conservative people around them and find their spring. They look forward to a society where they can pursue their dreams freely and take sufiyana music to greater heights. One day, Kashmir will resurrect into a modern yet traditional society and bloom in its full glory like a Yemberzal.