From the timeless strings of the santoor and rabab to contemporary folk, Fankar-E-Kashmir Season 4 brought together a vibrant new generation of Kashmiri musicians, culminating in a grand finale at Tagore Hall, Srinagar, on September 28.
The fourth edition of the cultural initiative saw nearly 120 young artists register, with 70 making it to the live audition stage and the final 15 performers earning a place at the grand finale. The two-day auditions featured 35 performers each day and witnessed a notable rise in instrumentalists, alongside emerging contemporary voices, including two rappers.
Azaan Ayoub Mir of Manasbal was adjudged the Fankar-E-Kashmir 2026 title winner, while Umer Majeed, a young santoor player from Mujgund, HMT, emerged as the runner-up.
Organised by Kashmir Rabab Academy, ShowCase Events and The Eagle, Fankar-E-Kashmir has steadily evolved from a folk-music showcase into a wider platform combining live performances, mentorship, knowledge sessions, recording opportunities and professional exposure for young artists.
“This year, we are seeing a particularly diverse pool of talent, with many instrumentalists and even rappers coming forward. It shows that Kashmir’s musical tradition is not static. Young artists are finding new ways to interpret and carry it forward,” journalist and of Founder, Kashmir Rabab Academy, Nazir Ganaie, said.
Angelina Fernandes, Founder, The Eagle, said the initiative had grown considerably since its inception, with the platform working to connect emerging artists with recognition and professional opportunities beyond Kashmir.
Nanni Singh, Chief Executive, ShowCase Events, said Fankar-E-Kashmir was focused on creating sustained opportunities for young talent while contributing to a wider cultural economy around local music.
The initiative has also brought together institutional and community partners. The Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) supported the initiative, while Sustainnovate Research & Advocacy Foundation (SIRAF) joined as the NGO partner and RAAB Foundation came on board as the Title Sponsor.
With its mix of traditional folk voices, instrumentalists and contemporary performers, Season 4 underscored the changing landscape of Kashmir’s music scene—where heritage and experimentation are increasingly finding space on the same stage.
As Fankar-E-Kashmir enters its next chapter, its larger ambition remains clear: to keep Kashmir’s folk traditions alive while giving its young artists the stage, mentorship and opportunities to take their music forward.
