Inside his shop in Srinagar, tailor Farooq Ahmad Shaksaaz presses a button on his vintage 1970 Sharp cassette player. With a familiar clack, the machine comes to life, crackling for a moment before the soulful voice of Ghulam Ahmad Sofi fills the air, singing about divine love and longing for the creator.
Shaksaaz inherited his deep appreciation for Kashmir’s Sufi music from his grandfather, along with a carefully preserved collection of cassette tapes from the 1970s. As he sews, he immerses himself in the melodies, belonging to a niche yet devoted group of listeners who insist that cassette tapes offer the purest experience of Kashmir’s spiritual music.
In Indian-controlled Kashmir, Sufi music—rooted in the teachings of local and Central Asian Muslim saints—has long been a source of solace, offering spiritual guidance and a refuge from the region’s frequent unrest. For decades, the hum of cassette players has carried the mystical poetry of Sufi saints and the sounds of traditional Kashmiri instruments like the sarangi and santoor. Even today, many Sufi music gatherings in the region are recorded exclusively on cassette tapes, a format that flourished between the 1970s and 1990s.
Although digital versions of the music are increasingly accessible, many Kashmiris argue that nothing compares to the authenticity of cassette tapes.
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“There is something sacred about pressing the play button on a cassette player,” said Abdul Ahad, a carpet weaver. “For me, it’s like listening to the voices of spiritual guides.”
During the cassette era, local record labels released some of the most treasured Sufi music albums. While the format has declined, devoted fans still bring tape recorders to Sufi gatherings, where digital recorders are often unwelcome due to concerns that they distort the distinct sounds of traditional instruments.
“Tapes give a smooth and rich sound,” said Abdul Hamid Khan. “You can hear each instrument clearly, something modern players fail to capture.”
However, as tapes degrade and more music shifts to digital platforms, maintaining the cassette-listening tradition has become increasingly difficult. Many families have been forced to part with their tape players due to mechanical failures, while others struggle to preserve their cherished collections—some holding rare, irreplaceable recordings passed down for generations. To protect these musical treasures, some enthusiasts have started digitizing old recordings.
Only a few shops in Srinagar still sell tape recorders or blank cassettes, and finding spare parts or repair technicians has become a challenge.
A handful of mechanics in the Kashmir Valley continue to restore vintage cassette players, keeping the tradition alive. Mohammad Ashraf Matoo, a self-taught repairman, has dedicated years to fixing decades-old machines from brands like Sharp and Kenwood, despite the dwindling supply of spare parts. He salvages components from broken players and even manufactures some parts himself to meet demand. Depending on the brand and condition, a fully restored tape recorder sells for anywhere between $150 and $850.
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For Shaksaaz, holding onto cassette tapes is more than just nostalgia—it’s a mission to preserve Kashmir’s cultural and spiritual heritage.
“It’s a bridge to our past,” he said. “A way to stay connected to our roots in an increasingly digital world.”
Source: With input from agency