Kashmir’s New Record Label Renzu Music Launches Debut Release with Pensive Song ‘Hoshdar’

After spending a couple of years creating music videos for labels, Jammu and Kashmir’s filmmaker and entrepreneur Danish Renzu decided it was time to launch his own record label. Renzu Music, which has currently tied up with label Big Bang Music for distribution, have now released their debut song “Hoshdar,” sung by Noor Mohammad and Huzaif Nazar and composed by Hyder Dar.

The melancholy song grows spirited as it progresses, with the vocalists and Dar reinterpreting the poetry of 19th century Sufi mystic Wahab Khar. The song introduces Renzu Music’s artists and sets things up for a steady flow of at least five to six more Kashmiri songs releasing in the coming months. The goal – which also proved a challenge – for Renzu, has been to create a platform for “mostly Kashmir-based artists and musicians creating a completely new genre.”

While Renzu has put together teams of Kashmir-based and Kashmir-origin musicians and film personnel for music videos commissioned by labels like Zee Music in the past, he says now he’ll take on creating a whole new audience. “I’m all for it, as it’s my love for music that keeps me driving forward,” Renzu says. The video for “Hoshdar,” which is co-produced by Tahir Hussain, narrates a frosty, spiritually-informed love story between two protagonists, essayed by actors Kunal Thakur and Yaaneea Bharadwaj.

Dar, for his part, says that working with Renzu across projects and now on “Hoshdar” has always proved fruitful. He says in his statement, “It is always different and challenging, and through this way, I have explored my own sound as a music producer and my skills as a music producer and composer are enhancing and getting nourished with each new song. I started this journey with a strive to make my people proud and I look forward to the day where Kashmiri music reigns over the music industry.”

Renzu Music is also still positioned as a production house in addition to being a label, according to its founder. The filmmaker adds, “We’ll be collaborating with different labels only as distro/release partners. Eventually based on how it comes together, we’ll release it ourselves.” The next music video coming from Renzu Films and Renzu Music is “Dil Khanjar,” sung by Rashmeet Kaur.

In addition to Huzaif Nazar, Dar and lyricist Sunayana Kachroo, other artists enlisted on the Renzu Music roster so far include singers such as Masrat un Nisa, Archana H, Duha and composer Abhay Sopori.

Kachroo, who has worked with Renzu and Kashmiri artist Yawar Abdal in the past, says her role is to contribute a contemporary voice and narrative for the mainstream music space. “I am very passionate about the work we do for cultural preservation and restoration at Renzu Music,” she adds.

Watch the video for “Hoshdar” below. Listen to the song on Spotify.