Echoes of tradition: Ramadan drummers awaken Kashmir’s streets
TDT | Agencies
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As the holy month of Ramadan envelops Kashmir, the pre-dawn hours come alive with the resonant beats of drums. In the quiet bylanes of Shalimar, on the outskirts of Srinagar, brothers Muneer and Tauseef take on the sacred duty of waking their community for sehri, the pre-dawn meal before fasting begins. While Muneer beats the drum, Tauseef holds a torch and calls out, “waqt-e-sehar,” echoing a tradition that has defined Ramadan in the valley for centuries.
A Legacy of Faith and Dedication
The siblings are newcomers to the role of “sahar khan,” or Ramadan drummers, inspired by their uncle Ghulam Hassan, who walked these same streets for years. “Since childhood, we watched him wake the faithful for sehri,” says Muneer. Across Kashmir, each neighbourhood has its own sahar khan, a human alarm who marches through towns and villages, drum in hand, to ensure no one misses the spiritual preparation for the day-long fast.
Spiritual Satisfaction
in Service In Ganderbal, 60-year-old Abdul Rasheed has been a sahar khan for four decades. “This role gives me immense spiritual satisfaction,” he says with a smile. Similarly, in Shopian, Nazir Ahmad Mir rises at 2 a.m. to beat his drum, even from within his home’s premises. For these drummers, the task is more than a duty—it’s a connection to their faith and community.
A Community’s Lifeline
For many Kashmiris, the drummers’ beats are an essential part of Ramadan. “It’s hard to wake up in the middle of the night, but the drummers make it easier,” says Shaista Akhter, a homemaker from Srinagar. Her children, she adds, refuse to rise for sehri until they hear the familiar drumbeat. This deep trust in the drummers’ timing underscores their importance in a region where modern alarms coexist with ancient traditions.
Centuries of Tradition and Craft
The tradition of sahar khan dates back centuries, with roots tracing to Central Asia. Zareef Ahmad Zareem, a cultural expert, notes that during medieval times, people relied entirely on these human alarms. Today, drummers like Mohammad Jaffar from Budgam continue the legacy, braving freezing temperatures as low as -12°C to fulfill their role. Many drummers craft or purchase their drums from Lolab village in north Kashmir, known for its quality instruments, which cost between Rs. 3,000 and Rs. 5,000.
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Rewards of Devotion
At the end of Ramadan, the drummers are rewarded by their communities. Moving door to door on Eid, they collect cash, rice, and other gifts, earning between Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 20,000 for their month-long service. This tradition not only sustains the drummers but also strengthens the bond between them and their communities.
A Tradition That Endures
In a rapidly modernizing world, Kashmir’s Ramadan drummers stand as living reminders of a rich cultural and spiritual heritage. Their beats, echoing through the valley’s cold, dark nights, continue to unite communities and preserve a tradition that has withstood the test of time.
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