Ghulam Qadir Langoo, Kashmiri sufi singer, Died at 100

Ghulam Qadir Langoo died on October 6, 2015 at the age of 100, he was a noted Kashmiri Sufi singer and court singer for Maharaja Hari Singh.

He breathed his last at his younger son Mohammad Ramzan’s residence in Aloochi Bagh area of the city at around midnight, family sources said.

Ghulam was a court singer for Maharaja Hari Singh, Langoo enthralled people of Kashmir with his voice and music.

The musician belonged to the family who had a long association with the royal courts.

His grandfather Shabaan Langoo was a Nakaal (entertainer) in Maharaja Pratap Singh’s court.

Durng his long career, Ghulam, who retired from Radio Kashmir nearly four decades ago, shared stage with musical greats like Lata Mangeshkar, Aasha Bhonsle and Mahendra Kapoor, mostly playing Tanpura (a musical instrument).

Ghulam also sang and played the instrument for political stalwarts, the first Prime Minister of the country, Jawahar Lal Nehru, former chief ministers Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad.

Ghulam was credited with giving the Kashmiri music some of the finest female voices like Raj Begum, Zoon Begum and Naseem Akhtar.

Ghulam passed away at age 100 in October 2015.