Iraqi Maqam Tradition Preserved by Last Master Vocalist

Across diverse regions, several cultural traditions and crafts face the threat of fading into obscurity as modern influences and changing tastes diminish their practice and appreciation. In Kashmir, Ghulam Mohammed Zaz is the last artisan handcrafting the santoor, a traditional string instrument integral to the region's musical identity, struggling against the decline caused by modern music trends and machine-made alternatives. Similarly, 67-year-old Hamid Al-Saadi is the final master of the Iraqi maqam, a centuries-old vocal tradition, expressing concern over the lack of successors to carry on this intangible heritage. Assam's forgotten musical genius, Shivaprasad Bhattacharya, contributed profoundly as a composer and social reformer, yet his legacy has largely been overlooked despite his cultural impact. Meanwhile, Katyuri Kingdom in India revitalizes royal heritage by blending traditional spiritual symbolism with contemporary craftsmanship in luxury products, committing profits to Himalayan conservation. These narratives collectively highlight the tension between preserving deep-rooted cultural legacies and the pressures of modernity.