Ex-Indian Idol Singer’s Twist to Kashmiri Folk Song Goes Viral

Abha Hanjura’s spin to an old Kashmiri children’s song is winning hearts.

Aabha Hanjura’s vibrant re-interpretation of a traditional Kashmiri song is winning hearts. (Photo Courtesy: YouTube Screenshot / Abha Hanjura)

Former Indian Idol contestant Aabha Hanjura’s reimagining of a popular Kashmiri folk song ‘Hukus Bukus’ has taken the Internet by storm. In less than three days since it was uploaded to Hanjura’s YouTube channel, the video has garnered 15,027 views. According to a Scroll report, the song is a part of the ‘Humans of Kashmir – Stories’ project. Its origin is attributed by some to the 14th century mystic Lal Ded’s era, and then there are those who insist it’s from the time Kashmir was born.

An upbeat song, the video opens with the lively sound of a ukulele – the musician’s finger picking style is reminiscent of the Mexican acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela. Many interesting instruments feature in the video, and the instruments blend in well together. Overall, the mood is lighthearted and it is easy to see why the song has mass appeal.

The Scroll report called the song a traditional children’s tune, and quoted Hanjura as saying that it was a song “our grandmothers used to sing for us.” The report also mentions that the song draws on the poem ‘Hukus Bukus Teli Van Tch Kus’. Watch the video below: