The last custodian: A Kashmiri artisan's battle to save a musical legacy

Ghulam Mohammed Zaz, Kashmir's last traditional santoor maker, is fighting to preserve this musical legacy in a world of declining demand for handcrafted instruments. As the sole artisan left in the region, he works diligently in his century-old shop to handcraft santoor instruments, an iconic part of Kashmir's musical heritage. Zaz's dedication to this ancestral craft has been recognized with India's Padma Shri award, honoring his commitment to preserving the centuries-old tradition of santoor-making.