State’s first DJ dreams of making his people rock to his music.
After presenting his first act at a fashion show in Kashmir last month, Athar Iqbal Mir, aka DJ Aki, was a bit heartbroken. The audience praised the clothes, but there was no applause for the background score. Soon, the 22-year-old realised that he was performing before people who knew next to nothing about his art.
Luckily for Mir, he has appeared on the horizon at a time when Kashmir is witnessing a renewed boom in music and art. From musical talent hunts to fashion shows, the state is trying to shake off its past and keep pace with trend-setters in the country.
“DJing is a very popular art outside Kashmir. A handful of people know about it here, but I have not lost hope. It is my resolve to take this art to the people and hope it is liked,” said Mir.
Mir did not receive any formal training in DJing. He learnt it by watching DJs perform. He met them through friends who were avid party-goers in Delhi. “I had an inclination towards the art since I was class XII student. But I had no idea how to go about it. I had good friends who used to take me to parties where I saw DJs perform,” said Mir.
Mir was born to an affluent Kashmiri family in Meerut. His grandfather was a railway contractor and his childhood was spent in that town. “But I used to visit Delhi very often and that’s where I got to go to these parties. Once I tried my hand on the machine, there was no looking back,” he said.
Years later, after returning to Kashmir, Mir again found himself in the wilderness. Then, last month, he got a call from the AIP group, who were to organise Kashmir’s first fashion show in Zabarwan Park and Mir was asked to give the background score.
The youngster’s idol is DJ Aqueel, and he wants to travel to his academy to learn more about this art. “I want to be like him. I have even been inspired by his name, which is why I christened myself DJ Aki,” Mir said.
The youngster plays DJ music console and has learnt the rhythm from famed Kashmiri singers Irfan and Bilal. “I am in the business and I have to give my best which is why I am learning music from them,” he said.
Recognising Mir’s passion for his music, the AIP group has decided to promote him. “We have some big events in mind where he could perform. We plan to organise a fashion show on New Year eve. We also plan to bring a few Laughter Challenge artists to perform. These events will give Aki a stage to show his skills,” said Nasir Khan, coordinator of AIP.
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