Srinagar: Kashmir’s 13-year-old singing prodigy Ayaan Sajad on Thursday said it was a surreal feeling to receive the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2024 from President Droupadi Murmu. He asserted it was a huge responsibility as well.
The Bal Puraskar is the highest award given to children for extraordinary accomplishments in social service, innovation, sports, bravery, art and scholastic achievements.
Sajad, a Sufi singer from south Kashmir, was honoured for his soulful contributions to Kashmiri music.
Sajad said he felt excited and honoured when he received the news of him being awarded.
“I became very excited but honoured as well. It was a kind of an unreal feeling, but the enhanced feeling was when I actually got the award in my hands,” he said.
The singing sensation, who went to Delhi to receive the award with his parents, said the recognition “feels like a very big responsibility”.
“My family is really happy and obviously feel very proud,” he added.
Sajad, resident of Anantnag, gained fame for his soulful rendition of the Kashmiri song ‘Be Dard Dadi Chane’. The song has originally been written by Kashmiri poet Shamas Fakeer.
Having started singing quite early in life with small performances and stage shows, Sajad began his professional journey with the song which gained popularity and gave him instant fame.
“It was almost four years ago that I started singing professionally with ‘Be dard’ song,” the class 10 student said.
He said along his journey; he was inspired by the independent artists in Kashmir.
“When I actually started singing professionally, there were a few inspirations like the artists in Kashmir who were working independently. When I met them, they inspired me, their music inspired me,” the young singer said.
Sajad describes singing as his passion and said no matter what profession he chooses, “it will stay with me”. However, he has not yet made up his mind on what profession he will choose.
Prestigious Rashtriya Bal Puraskar For Ayaan Sajad
