Against the Odds: Young Kashmiri Musician’s journey from Gurez to Glory
By: Sualiha Zubair, Maleeha Sofi
Srinagar: In the serene Gurez Valley of Kashmir, the journey of 23-year-old ZieaUlAalam serves as a testament to the saying, “hard work pays off.”
Coming from a family steeped in musical tradition, with both his grandfather and father as musicians, Ziea’s path has not been without challenges. Despite facing setbacks, his unwavering determination has allowed him to carve out a unique niche in the Indian classical and contemporary music.
The young boy’s life took an unexpected turn in 2009 when his father, a guiding light and a musical mentor, passed away. Struggling with grief and an uncertain future, the then 8 year-old Ziea was faced with a harsh reality – the lack of family support to pursue his musical dreams.
The spectre of doubt cast by his family was rooted in concern, fearing that his talents may not flourish without his father’s guidance.
“It was a confusing time. On one side remained my passion for music, but on another side was my family,” he says.
After father’s demise, the notes of music were silenced in Ziea’s life for a brief period. But a year later, an unquenchable fire ignited within him, compelling him to pursue his love for music.
“I told myself that sooner or later, the family will accept me back, however if I give upon music, it will be my biggest regret for life.” Leaving the comfort of home behind, Aalam went to seek out a ‘guru’ who could help him realize his potential. With steely resolve, he went to Delhi in search of knowledge and inspiration.
Arriving in the bustling capital city, Aalam’s musical odyssey began with an emphasis on instrumental mastery. He dedicated years to honing his skills with various instruments like the keyboard and harmonium. He learnt from a teacher, a known musician,SharadTiwari.
Later, upon coming back to Kashmir, fate led him to cross paths with Baber Mudacer, another renowned Kashmiri musician and singer. The two souls connected on a deeper level, recognizing in each other a shared passion and purpose.
Mudacer, recognized Ziea’s latent vocal talents. It was under Mudacer’s guidance that Ziea’s journey took a new direction, steering him toward the realm of singing. Once again, Ziea went to Delhi, juggling his musical aspirations with the demands of daily life. Working in a school to sustain him, Ziea tried to overcome obstacles and prove his worth.
Ziea’s struggle was not just against societal scepticism but also a battle within himself. He realized that to succeed, he needed to close the doors to distractions and external opinions, focusing solely on his own growth and satisfaction. His family and relatives remained dubious of his chosen path until his actions spoke louder than words. Slowly,, the doubters became believers and Aalam’s hard work bore fruit.
“People of Gurez have become my biggest support,” he says. “Apart from supporting on social media, they have shown support in person as well. They saw me perform a first solo live concert in 2017 and upon realising I belong to Gurez, the expectations of my people have increased,” he added.
As the years progressed, Aalam made his name in the music industry of Kashmir and performed outside the region as well. He contributed his musical prowess to numerous Kashmiri music videos, adding his signature touch to the work. Not content with being just a musician, ZieaUlAalam took his destiny into his own hands, launching his own YouTube channel to showcase his compositions and arrangements.
Today he enjoys a fan base of over 5K subscribers on youtube.
“I believe in patience and consistency. Due to social media, many people become overnight sensation, but I strive to be here in the long run. Hence, my path is different,” claims Aalam.
The year 2019 marked a significant milestone in his journey as Ziea’s melodious voice resonated through the airwaves of All India Radio. Singing in the Sheena language, native to the Gurez valley, Ziea added yet another layer to his multifaceted musical persona. In 2023, he performed live at Shaikh Rashid auditorium, Dubai along with BabarrMudacer. Aalam’s released his latest song “JanaanRalim” in October, 2024, which is receiving huge applaud from his fans.
Presently, he is producing Sufi instrumental music and sharing his work with his fans through social media. As Aalam completes 15 years in the field of music, his journey from Gurez’s secluded valleys to the grand stages of self-expression is a tale that resonates with aspiring artists and dreamers alike.
“ I have a set a goal of working every day for not less than 12 hours, these small things will lead me to big success one day,” affirms Aalam.
