‘Songs of Paradise’ brings Kashmir’s nightingale back to life on screen

Srinagar: A musical drama inspired by the life of Kashmir’s legendary singer Raj Begum is striking a powerful chord with audiences, shining a light on the Valley’s rich poetic and musical heritage often eclipsed by narratives of conflict.

Songs of Paradise, now streaming on Amazon Prime, stars Saba Azaad and Soni Razdan in lead roles. Directed by Danish Renzu, known for Half Widow (2018), the film is a tribute to Padma Shri Raj Begum—endearingly called the “Nightingale of Kashmir.”

Raj Begum holds a pioneering place in Kashmir’s cultural history. She was the first woman singer to perform on Radio Kashmir (now All India Radio, Srinagar), at a time when women rarely entered public spaces of art. Her songs resonated across social divides, weaving together the diverse communities of the Valley with melodies that carried both longing and resilience.

Born in 1927 in Srinagar’s Magarmal Bagh as Rehti, Begum grew up in a poor, conservative household. Married off early to businessman Mohammad Abdullah, she had no formal education and never learned to read or write.

Nor did she have any formal training in music. Yet her voice became her destiny—first heard at weddings across communities, where she sang to help support her family, and later carried across the airwaves into countless Kashmiri homes.

The film, while a fictionalized account, reimagines her struggles and triumphs against the odds. More importantly, it underscores a Kashmir rarely depicted in mainstream Bollywood—the Kashmir of poets, musicians, and women who dared to break barriers.

People in the valley say the movie feels like a cultural homecoming. “For years, our stories have been reduced to headlines about violence. Songs of Paradise reminds us of the Kashmir that breathes in poetry, music, and love,” said Nayeem Ahmad, a literature student.

For many older residents, the film stirred memories of Raj Begum’s actual broadcasts. “When we heard her voice on the radio in the 1960s and 70’s, it felt like Kashmir itself was singing. Watching her journey on screen brought tears to my eyes,” said Abdul Rasheed Dar, a retired teacher from the old city.

Critics and viewers alike note that ‘Songs of Paradise’ arrives at a time when Kashmiri culture, literature, and music are fighting for visibility amid conflict-driven narratives. By retelling the story of Raj Begum, the movie revives a softer, humanistic memory of Kashmir, one rooted in art, resilience, and shared traditions.

For many in the Valley, the film is not just entertainment but a reminder of Raj Begum’s enduring legacy: a woman who, without schooling or training, became the voice of her people.

Begum’s contributions to Kashmiri music earned her some of the country’s highest honors. She was conferred the Padma Shri in 2002, followed by the Jammu and Kashmir State Award for Excellence in Folk Music in 2008. In 2013, she received the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

Three years later, in 2016, she passed away at the age of 88 at her daughter’s residence in Chanapora, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations.