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The historic region of Kashmir, an area disputed by India and Pakistan, encompasses the modern regions of Kashmir, Ladakh and Jammu. One of the most popular folk instruments of the area is the rabab, introduced by Zain-ul-Abidin from Turkistan.
Kashmir
Rouf is an ancient dance performed on holidays, especially the evenings of Ramzan and IDD dayes. It is performed by women.
Sufiana Kalam is the classical music of Kashmir, which uses its own ragas (known as muquam), and is accompanied by a hundred-stringed instrument called the santoor, along with the Kashmiri saz, wasool, tabala and sitar. Sufiana Kalam has been popular in Kashmir since arriving from Iran in the 15th century.
The dance based off the sofiyiana kalam is the hafiz nagma.
The most popular form of folk music in Kashmir is called chakri, a style which is similar to the chakra of Uttar Pradesh. Chakri is played with the harmonium, rabab, sarangi and garaha.
Ladakh
One of the main features of a Ladakh marriage is the recitation of lengthy narratives by singers in unusual costumes.
Popular dances in Ladakh include the jabro and alley yate.
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