Songs of Paradise: A Tribute to Kashmir’s Nightingale

Songs of Paradise, directed by Danish Renzu, is a moving cinematic tribute to Kashmir’s legendary singer, Raj Begum. Renzu, son of Farooq Renzu—himself a scholar of Sufism—has already established himself as a sensitive filmmaker through works like Half Widow, based on the Kashmir conflict. With this film, he turns his lens towards music, memory, and the struggles of women artists in Kashmir.

The film stands out for its technical finesse—rich colors, evocative backgrounds, and finely crafted details. It portrays Raj Begum not only as a velvet-voiced icon who captivated every Kashmiri but also as a woman navigating a deeply patriarchal world. Some contemporaries from Radio Kashmir feel the film slightly amplifies her role as a fighter for women’s rights, but the artistic liberty taken serves to highlight a larger truth: women singers of that era had to work much harder than men to earn their rightful place.

One narrative thread touches upon her husband being a poet and an educated man. While not firmly established in history, the film uses this device effectively. In reality, many women artists of that time did indeed benefit from the encouragement of well-educated partners, which added to their sense of confidence and visibility.

The performances are strong throughout, but what truly elevates the film is its music. Abhay Rustum Sopori, son of the legendary Santoor maestro Bhajan Sopori, has composed a soul-stirring score. His music not only anchors the story but also bridges the golden era of Kashmiri music with today’s cinematic imagination.

In essence, Songs of Paradise succeeds in reminding us of Raj Begum’s unmatched voice and her place in Kashmir’s cultural history. It is a film both visually beautiful and musically profound. I strongly recommend everyone to watch it—not just as entertainment, but as an important cultural document of Kashmir’s artistic legacy. It is available at Amazon Prime .