Ustad Ghulam Nabi Shah, a renowned Kashmiri singer, popularly known as Hamle Bulbul, passed away on Wednesday, 11th June, 2025.
Coming from the villages of Dangiwacha Rafiabad, Shah’s artistry reflected the cultural ethos of Kashmir’s centuries-old heritage. Serving the Department of Information for over three decades, Shah went beyond his role as a mere performer, working toward the representation and preservation of the essence of Kashmiri music, both nationally and internationally.
He was credited with taking local music to new heights, devoting his life promoting Kashmiri culture and art. He represented the Kashmiri folk and music at both national and international levels, earning a number of accolades and thereby setting a legacy for others to follow. His journey and commitment was not only about excellence, but also a service towards his art, his state and his people.
His soulful music, command over the sarangi and ‘glass’ dance performances (balancing a glass of water on the head while performing intricate dance moves), had captivated the audience for decades. He was famous for his mastery of the Bacha Nagma, a traditional Kashmiri folk dance. His art was deeply rooted in the lived experiences of his people, which explains its deep resonance among his audience.
His colleagues and admirers have described his unfortunate demise as a loss to local music and art. An official of the Jammu and Kashmir administration has stated his demise as: “The Bulbul of Kashmiri music and art has fallen silent today. Ustad Ghulam Nabi Shah, famously known as Hamli Bulbul, rendered more than three decades to the Information Department and took Kashmiri music to new heights.”
Nabi Shah was honored with the prestigious Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah Award in 2011, for his significant contributions in promoting Kashmiri Lok Sangeet or folk music. His demise also marks the end of a golden era in Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural and musical history.
Shah breathed his last at Baramulla's Dangiwacha Rafiabad, his ancestral place.