Rajinder Tickoo, Face of Ladishah, Passes Away | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Rajinder Tickoo, a prominent Kashmiri theatre artist, actor and producer associated with Network18, has died, marking the loss of one of the most recognisable figures in the revival of Ladishah, Kashmir’s traditional satirical musical storytelling form. He was widely known for bringing contemporary relevance to the nearly extinct folk art through performance and broadcast.

Tickoo gained prominence through televised Ladishah performances on ETV Urdu, where he appeared in traditional attire including a pheran and turban, accompanied by the dhukar instrument. His performances combined humour, satire and commentary on social and political themes, drawing attention to a form historically rooted in oral folk expression.

A native of Anantnag, Tickoo had been associated with theatre since 1990. Over more than three decades, he acted in hundreds of stage productions and telefilms, developing a reputation for sharp wit and accessible storytelling. His work is widely credited with introducing Ladishah to younger audiences through modern media platforms.

Cultural practitioners in Kashmir have regarded his contribution as instrumental in preserving and reinterpreting a fading performance tradition. Further details regarding funeral arrangements were not immediately available.