KUPWARA — Bollywood singer Kumar Sanu, who visited Kashmir for the first time, on Wednesday called for the establishment of music schools and academies in the Valley and urged organisers to take talent promotion programmes to remote areas to provide aspiring artists with greater opportunities.
Speaking on the sidelines of the ‘Kashmir Got Talent’ event in Handwara, Kupwara district, Sanu said he was happy to visit the Valley, meet its people and experience the region firsthand. “I came to Kashmir for the first time in my lifetime, and that too in Kupwara. I am so happy that I came here and saw the reality. I really want to come to Kashmir again and again,” he said.
The singer said he was impressed by the talent among Kashmiri youth and stressed the need to provide them with platforms to develop their skills and pursue careers in music and other creative fields.
He said he would try to collaborate with local artists and contribute to promoting their work. Sanu also revealed that he was working on a duet with a Kashmiri female singer and planned to record a romantic song in Kashmiri.
Calling for more talent promotion events, he said such programmes should not remain confined to major towns but should also be organised in remote areas, including Bandipora, where aspiring artists often lack opportunities to showcase their abilities.
“There is a lot of need for such events. I am requesting that these programmes should be organised not just at one place but in areas like Bandipora and other remote places. These people have talent but are unable to come out and showcase it,” he said.
Sanu added that he would be willing to visit such areas and participate in programmes aimed at encouraging young artists.
He also urged the government to establish music schools and academies in Kashmir, saying structured training facilities could help young people develop their musical abilities. “I will definitely tell the government to open an academy here. I will ask them to open a music school here and will do whatever I can,” he said, according to the news agency KNS.
Reflecting on his visit, Sanu said apprehensions about the security situation had kept him away from Kashmir for many years. He said the visit had allowed him to experience the region firsthand and added that he found the atmosphere to be improving.
He also acknowledged the Indian Army's role in encouraging him to visit Kashmir and participate in the event, saying its support had helped him overcome his apprehensions.
Appealing to other celebrities and members of the entertainment industry to visit the Valley, Sanu urged them to interact with young people and understand the challenges faced by aspiring artists.
“I would like to say that you should come to Kashmir. What we have been told for so many years is not true. You should meet the children of Kashmir and understand their problems. I would like to give this message to every celebrity,” he said.
Describing Kashmir as “the heaven of India”, Sanu expressed hope that he would continue his association with local artists and contribute to promoting Kashmiri talent.
He also called for events such as Kashmir Got Talent to be organised regularly to give young people opportunities to showcase their abilities.
The article first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse at https://kashmirpulse.com/jk/kashmir/kumar-sanu-calls-for-music-academies-to-promote-kashmiri-talent/117356.html
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