Tauseef Ahmad, Sajid Raina/TwoCircles.net
Srinagar: As Kashmir valley sleeps beneath a blanket of stillness, a steady rhythm begins to echo through the streets in the early hours of Ramadan. The drumbeats of the Sahar Khans, the traditional drummers, break the silence, serving as the human alarm clocks that awaken Muslims for their pre-dawn meal (sehri). Despite the prevalence of modern technology, these drummers continue to uphold an age-old tradition, symbolising the region’s rich cultural heritage and the deep communal bonds that tie its people together.
Every year, during the holy month, the rhythmic beats of the Sahar Khans resonate throughout the valley, ensuring that thousands of Muslims are up in time for sehri. This practice has persisted for centuries.
These drummers have been an essential part of Kashmir’s Ramadan rituals for generations. Their primary role is to awaken people for sehri, ensuring they partake in the pre-dawn meal before the fast begins. Armed with drums and resonate voices, they navigate dark alleys, loudly calling out, “Waqt-e-Sahar” (time for sehri), signalling the community to eat before dawn.
Altaf Ahmad, 38, who has dedicated over two decades to this tradition, travels 75 kilometers from his village in Bandipora to Srinagar every Ramadan.
“We work as labourers throughout the rest of the year, and doing this work during Ramadan also provides a respite from the hard labor that is especially taxing during fasting,” he explains.
“This work is more than just labour for me, I do it for the sake of Allah. Even if only 10-20 people are awakened by my efforts, I know I will be rewarded by the Almighty,” says Mohd Anwar, 39, a Sahar Khan from Bandipora.
Anwar begins his journey at 3:00 a.m. each night, accompanied by his fellow drummer. Together, they travel more than six kilometers through neighbouring villages, ensuring the community is awake for sehri.
Challenges in the digital age
In today’s digital era, where alarm clocks and smartphone reminders have become ubiquitous, the necessity of the Sahar Khans might seem diminished. Junaid Nazir, a resident of Raj Bagh, says, “The loud sound of the drums disturbs people with medical conditions who struggle to wake up for suhoor. It also affects families with newborns, as the noise can frighten the babies.”
Another drummer, Ghulam Nabi, 38, says, “These days, people rely heavily on modern technology. The younger generation claims Sahar Khawani (calling for pre-dawn meals) is outdated, but it remains an integral part of our tradition. We will keep it alive.”
“People now ask us not to disturb them in the middle of the night. Nowadays, everyone sets an alarm on their phone, but there are still some who wake up to the sound of the drum,” he adds.
Contrary, Talib Bashir, 29, says he does not need to listen to the drumbeats. “I don’t need to hear the drumbeats to wake up. I set an alarm half an hour before the Fajr Azan and wake up to eat my pre-dawn meal.”
Despite these challenges, many Kashmiris continue to cherish and uphold this tradition.
Mohammad Sultan, a 70-year-old resident of Downtown, hails the Sahar Khans as heroes. “The drummers add to the zeal and zest of the holy month. These drummers are an integral part of the centuries-old Ramadan tradition in Kashmir.”
Community support, respect
The support for Sahar Khans within the community remains profound. Beyond the spiritual rewards, these drummers often receive tokens of appreciation from the community at the end of Ramadan. Many offer gifts, food or money to the Sahar Khans as a gesture of gratitude for their efforts.
“We don’t ask for money from people. This is work for which we will be rewarded on the Day of Judgment,” says Mohammad Altaf, one of the drummers.
As society becomes more digitalised, the sound of the Sahar Khans’ drums stands as a powerful reminder of resilience, spiritual faith and community unity. As dawn breaks over the valley, the beats not only offer a wake-up call but also remind everyone of the enduring strength of tradition amidst change. In this way, the sacred thread of Ramadan remains vibrantly alive in the hearts of Kashmiris.