
Kanwal Kishore Jalla: A Voice That Once Enchanted
(Kashmir Rechords Desk)
In the forgotten corridors of memory, where melodies once soared and hearts swayed to the rhythm of soulful Ghazals, the name Kanwal Kishore Jalla remains an echo—faint but unforgettable. A singer of unmatched grace and elegance, Jalla was once the pride of Kashmir’s musical fraternity. But like many of his fellow community members, his journey was marred by displacement, his voice drowned in the silence of exile. And now, that voice has been silenced forever.
Kanwal Kishore Jalla, a name that once resonated across the airwaves of Radio Kashmir from 1959 to 1989, recently breathed his last in exile, away from the land where his soul belonged. He was not just a singer; he was a custodian of Kashmir’s lyrical heritage, a guardian of melodies that have now faded into oblivion. Yet, his story, like many unsung heroes, remained largely untold—until it was too late.

It was only last year that Kashmir Rechords managed to track him down, hidden away in the Janipur locality of Jammu. A once-revered Ghazal and devotional singer, Jalla had retreated into the shadows after being forced to leave Kashmir in 1990. His exile was more than just a physical displacement; it was a silencing of his art, an erasure of a legacy that should have been celebrated.
A Voice That Defined an Era
Dr. Rafeeq Masoodi, a noted broadcaster and former Secretary of J&K Cultural Academy, recalls Jalla’s mesmerizing presence at Radio Kashmir, Srinagar. His recollections take us back to a golden evening in 1986 when legends Bhajan Sopori, Vijay Malla and Ghulam Nabi Sheikh gathered in Studio-06 for a composition. Among them stood Kanwal Kishore Jalla—his appearance a striking resemblance to Dev Anand, dressed in a tight yellow trouser, crisp shirt and a knotted tie. But it wasn’t just his flamboyant presence that captivated; it was his voice—soft, velvety, reminiscent of the great Talat Mahmood.
Jalla’s songs weren’t just melodies; they were emotions woven into rhythm. His Ghazals touched the depths of sorrow and longing, while his patriotic renditions during the 1962, 1965, and 1971 wars stirred the spirit of nationalism. Yet, fate played a cruel game. After his migration, he was lost to the world, his legacy left unpreserved. Not a single one of his Ghazals, devotional, or patriotic songs found a home in the archives of Radio Kashmir. A treasure trove of melodies—forgotten, erased, lost.

Last year, when Kashmir Rechords appealed to its readers to help locate the maestro, the story took a bittersweet turn. His daughter, residing in Dubai, reached out, revealing his whereabouts. It was a moment of both triumph and heartbreak. Jalla was touched to know that his contributions had not been entirely forgotten. But time is unforgiving. Just as the world began to remember him, he slipped away forever, leaving behind only the whispers of his songs, carried away by the wind.
Today, we mourn not just the passing of a singer but the fading of an era, the vanishing of a legacy that deserved more recognition, more love. Kanwal Kishore Jalla was Kashmir’s son—a voice of devotion, passion and patriotism. Yet, like so many others, he became a victim of time and circumstance. As we pay our tributes to this maestro, let us not let his memory fade as his songs did. Let us remember Kanwal Kishore Jalla—not just as a Ghazal singer of yesteryears but as a soul who sang for Kashmir, loved his homeland, and carried its melodies in his heart till his last breath.
Comments
Dalip Langoo
Nice to read about Mr Jala Aahee!
Kamod Jalla Bhat
Beautiful words, so so greatful to Kashmir Rechords Om Shanti.🙏…Kamod jalla bhat
Anusha
Jalla sir has left an incredible legacy, RIP 🙏