Ishfaq Kawa | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ishfaq Hussain Kawa 5 June 1995 Shadipora, Sumbal, Bandipora district, Jammu and Kashmir, India |
| Origin | Kashmir Valley |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Labels |
|
Ishfaq Hussain Kawa (born 5 June 1995) is an Indian playback singer, songwriter, music composer, and actor from Jammu and Kashmir. He is known for his work in Kashmiri music and has gained widespread recognition for his soulful voice, earning comparisons to Arijit Singh. [1] His song "Nundi Bani" became a viral sensation, garnering millions of views on YouTube. [2]
Ishfaq Kawa was born on 5 June 1995 in Shadipora village, located in the Sumbal area of Bandipora district in North Kashmir. [1] [3] He comes from a humble agricultural family with no prior connection to music. [1] He completed his education at Higher Secondary Sumbal and later pursued a Bachelor's degree in Hotel Management. [2] He also obtained a diploma from the Industrial Training Institute (ITI). [1]
Kawa lives with his parents, two brothers, and a sister. [2] Despite his family's modest means, they supported his musical aspirations. [1]
After completing his studies, Kawa moved to Hyderabad to work as a waiter at a five-star hotel. [2] It was during this period in 2015 that he discovered his potential as a performer. In a defining moment, he performed live in front of approximately 500 people at the hotel, receiving a standing ovation that gave him the confidence to pursue music professionally. [2] [4]
Kawa began his musical journey around 2017 by uploading Kashmiri renditions of Hindi Bollywood songs on social media platforms, which received positive responses. [5] His early song "Balyara Ho" achieved significant success, accumulating 4.5 million views on YouTube, while his remix of "Afsoos Duniya" garnered 4.1 million views. [6]
Due to financial constraints early in his career, Kawa struggled to find quality recording facilities. His breakthrough came after the establishment of Qalaam Studio, where he recorded several hit songs with the assistance of Basit, the studio's founder. [5]
Kawa gained widespread recognition with his original composition "Nundi Bani Yaar Myaani" (also spelled "Nund Bani"), a deeply emotional song he wrote, composed, and performed. [2] [4] The song tells the story of a mother whose son has disappeared, dedicating it to mothers who have lost children to the Kashmir conflict. [2] It took him approximately one week to write the song and develop its music video concept. [2] The song resonated strongly with audiences, receiving over 10 million views on YouTube and establishing him as a prominent voice in Kashmiri music. [4]
Kawa's other popular songs include "Zaroori Chum," "Cheerth Be Hawas Dil," "Dilbar," "Ha Yaroa Walo," and "Madnoa," all of which he wrote and composed himself. [4] His ability to blend Western musical elements with traditional Kashmiri music has helped him attract younger audiences who had been gravitating toward Punjabi and Bollywood music. [6]
Kawa made his Bollywood playback singing debut with the title track for the film Welcome to Kashmir, which was shot in North Kashmir. [4] The song features primarily Kashmiri lyrics with some Hindi verses. [4] He has expressed his aspiration to bring the Kashmiri language to greater prominence in Bollywood through his work. [7]
In addition to singing, Kawa has demonstrated his abilities as an actor and has performed across India with his music band Rooh, including shows in Chandigarh, Delhi, Hyderabad, and various locations in Jammu and Kashmir. [7] [8]
Kawa's vocal style has drawn comparisons to Indian playback singer Arijit Singh, earning him the nickname "Arijit Singh of Kashmir." [1] Some have also likened his voice to that of Bryan Adams. [1] He cites Kashmiri singer Vijay Kumar Malla as a major influence on his musical development. [7]
His music combines traditional Kashmiri folk elements with contemporary pop and Western musical arrangements. He emphasizes originality in his work, writing his own lyrics to ensure authenticity. [6] Kawa has been vocal about the challenges facing Kashmiri music, including the lack of sponsors and production houses, which limits production quality compared to Punjabi music industry. [6]
Kawa has established a significant online presence, particularly on YouTube, where he has accumulated over 492,000 subscribers. [4] His music videos consistently receive millions of views, making him one of the most watched Kashmiri artists on digital platforms. [8] He actively uses social media to connect with his audience, bypassing traditional media channels like radio and television. [6]
Unlike many commercial artists, Kawa has stated that he self-finances his music production and has not earned significant monetary returns from his work. [1] He invests his own money to produce and promote Kashmiri music, expressing hope for sponsorship that would help him reach wider audiences. [1]