Arun Jasrotia
Udhampur :TDD, In a touching testament to India’s living cultural heritage, 70-year-old Gori Nath’s lifelong dedication to preserving Dogra music through his century-old sarangi has caught the attention of none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The humble musician from Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir, who received a heartfelt mention in Modi’s “Mann Ki Baat,” can barely contain his joy at this unexpected national recognition.
For six decades, Gori Nath has been a familiar figure in his community, walking from home to home with his treasured sarangi – an heirloom passed down from his grandfather when he was just a wide-eyed 10-year-old boy. Speaking in his native Dogri language, the elderly artist’s face lights up as he recalls hearing his name from the Prime Minister’s lips, a moment that validated his lifetime of devotion to this ancient art form.
In an age where electronic beats dominate the airwaves, Gori Nath stands as a remarkable cultural sentinel, using his weathered hands to coax divine melodies from strings that have resonated through three generations. The centenarian sarangi, which he describes as singing in harmony with his own voice, helps him earn a modest living while keeping the spiritual traditions of Dogra culture alive through devotional hymns and tales of deities. His story serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes, the most precious cultural treasures are preserved not in museums, but in the hands of dedicated individuals who choose to carry forward their ancestral legacy against all odds.TDD
