Ramzan Drummers: Kashmir’s Human Alarm Clocks
It’s A Tradition That Wakes You Up—Literally!
Peerzada Masarat
As the world rushes towards high-tech solutions for everything—smart homes, smart cars, and even smart toothbrushes—Kashmir, in its timeless charm, sticks to an age-old practice that no mobile alarm can match. While most people rely on their buzzing smartphones to wake them up for their pre-dawn meal (sahar) during Ramzan, a few dedicated souls in Kashmir take it upon themselves to do the job the old-fashioned way: with drums, loud calls, and unwavering commitment.
Enter the Sehar Khans, Kashmir’s human alarm clocks, who have been waking up fasting Muslims in the valley for centuries. Before dawn, as the rest of the city sleeps, the rhythmic beating of drums echoes through narrow lanes, accompanied by a powerful voice declaring, “Waqhtey Sahar!” (Time for Sahar!).
Meet Kashmir’s Most Persistent Wake-Up Call:
Take, for instance, two young brothers from Shalimar, Mehraj and Tawseef. Their daily pre-dawn mission is simple: ensure no one oversleeps and misses their meal before the long day of fasting. While Mehraj beats the drum with relentless enthusiasm, Tawseef occasionally amplifies the experience by shouting the time-honored call, all while holding a torch to guide their way.
The spectacle is as dramatic as it is effective. No snooze button exists in this method—once the Sehar Khans have drummed outside your house, you are awake whether you like it or not!
Ramzan More Than Just Fasting:
Ramzan, the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar, is not just about abstaining from food and water from dawn to dusk. It is a time for self-discipline, spirituality, and community bonding. Across the world, Muslims observe the fast as one of the five pillars of Islam.
However, in Kashmir, fasting has historically come with a special pre-dawn wake-up service. The tradition of Sahar-khwani (calling for sahar) has been passed down for generations. Long before the age of smartphones and alarm clocks, this was the only reliable way to ensure the entire neighborhood woke up in time for their meal before the fast began.
A Job With No Holidays and No Pay:
Unlike modern alarm clocks, which operate on batteries and require no effort, the Sehar Khans do their job entirely out of devotion. There is no salary, no retirement plan, and certainly no customer feedback surveys. Whether it’s freezing cold, heavy rains, or pitch-dark streets, these human alarms never miss a beat—quite literally.
One might wonder why anyone would voluntarily take up such a thankless job. The answer lies in the deep-rooted cultural and religious sentiment behind it. Many Sehar Khans see it as their duty to serve the community during this holy month, believing that their efforts earn them spiritual rewards.
However, despite their dedication, the response from the younger generation has not been entirely encouraging.
Generation Z Prefers Alarm Apps Over Tradition:
While the older generation continues to appreciate the efforts of the Sehar Khans, the younger crowd has other ideas. For many young Kashmiris, the concept of being woken up by someone banging a drum outside their house seems almost absurd. “Why rely on an actual human when you can just set an alarm on your phone?” they argue.
Some find the tradition too loud, too outdated, or simply unnecessary. In a world where everything is automated, why wake up to the sound of a drum when a soft, customized ringtone will do?
As a result, fewer and fewer people are stepping up to carry on the tradition. While some neighborhoods still have their loyal Sehar Khans, in many areas, their numbers have dwindled. Some drummers report that younger residents even find their work annoying and disruptive.
Will the Sehar Khan Tradition Survive?
The big question now is: how long will this tradition last?
If the trend continues, the Sehar Khans may eventually become a thing of the past, remembered only in nostalgic stories told by elders. Technology has replaced so many old customs—could this be next?
However, some argue that traditions like these should be preserved not out of necessity, but for the sake of culture. The Sahar-khwani is more than just a wake-up call—it’s a reminder of Kashmir’s rich heritage, a symbol of unity, and an act of selfless community service.
A Tradition Worth Keeping Alive:
Yes, alarm clocks and smartphones have made life easier, but they lack the human touch that the Sehar Khans bring. A pre-dawn meal in Ramzan is not just about waking up and eating—it is about the feeling of togetherness, the echoes of drums in the streets, and the voice of a stranger reminding you that this month is special.
So, the next time you hear the loud drumbeats and the call of “Waqhtey Sahar!”, instead of reaching for your phone to complain, take a moment to appreciate the dedication, tradition, and history behind it. Because when this tradition is gone, no smartphone app will ever replace its spirit.
