Renowned Cultural Figure Master Haji Mohd Hussain Silmoo Passes Away
In Ladakh, in a somber announcement today, the Ladakhi community grieves the passing of Master Haji Mohd Hussain Silmoo, a revered cultural icon, State Awardee and custodian of Ladakhi folklore. At the age of 80, Master Mohd Hussain breathed his last, leaving behind a profound legacy that resonates through generations.
Master Mohd Hussain, affectionately known as the “Father of Ladakhi Folk Songs,” dedicated his life to preserving and promoting Ladakhi culture. Hailing from Silmoo, his unparalleled knowledge of Ladakhi folk songs, idioms, and proverbs, numbering over 400, earned him widespread admiration and respect throughout the region.
His passing has sent shockwaves through the community, with tributes pouring in from across Ladakh and beyond. CEC LAHDC Kargil Dr. Mohd Jaffar Akhone paid condolences, acknowledging Master Hussain’s multifaceted contributions as a historian, writer, and poet, enriching Ladakhi cultural heritage.
Others who expressed condolences include Haji Anayat Ali, Former Chairman J&K LC, Qamar Ali Akhone, Former Minister, former CEC LAHDC Kargil Kacho Ahmad Khan, Feroz Ahmad Khan and Haji Hanifa Jan, and Anayat Ali Shotopa, Convenor Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation, Kargil Chapter.
Master Hussain’s legacy is multifaceted, spanning from oral tradition to recorded broadcasts and publications. His cultural impact reverberates through All India Radio Kargil’s broadcasts and the recognition he received from the UT Ladakh Administration and local district administration. Moreover, his extensive repertoire of proverbs, along with the inspiration he provided to local writers, demonstrates his enduring influence on literature and culture in Kargil.
The Ladakhi community mourns the loss of a cultural giant, but Master Mohd Hussain Silmoo’s legacy will continue to inspire and resonate for years to come.
Contributed by A. Shotopa, NomadLawyer Volunteer From Kargil.