Popular Kashmiri Sufi singer Ghulam Qadir Langoo passed away in Srinagar today at the age of 100. He was court singer for Maharaja Hari Singh.
Langoo breathed his last at his younger son Mohammad Ramzan’s residence in Aloochi Bagh area of the city at around midnight, family sources said.
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, Langoo, 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).
He also sang and played the instrument for political stalwarts like first Prime Minister of the country, Jawahar Lal Nehru, former chief ministers Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad.
Langoo is credited with giving the Kashmiri music some of the finest female voices like Raj Begum, Zoon Begum and Naseem Akhtar.
