Rooted in Faith, Rising Through Resilience
“God is Great. Parents are Gods in the form of humans who bring us to this Mother Earth.”
These words encapsulate the belief that has guided me throughout my remarkable life—a journey of resilience, artistic pursuit, social service, and spiritual awakening. I have believed this from the very first day I opened my eyes to the snow-washed sky of Kashmir. To me, God appeared first in the gentle faces of my parents. They were the first divine forms I could touch—their love the first prayer I ever uttered. My father, Pandit Piyare Kishen Kher, and my mother, Shanta Kher Sadhoo, built a home where faith and discipline, music and compassion, lived side by side.
In the scenic valley of Kashmir, I inherited from my family not only a rich cultural lineage but also an enduring faith in humanity and hard work. My life has been a living testament to the belief that even amid displacement and turmoil, art, devotion, and service can illuminate one’s path.
With this belief, my life began—in a small corner of paradise known as Kashmir, where snow-kissed mountains cradle emerald valleys, and every breath carries the scent of faith and poetry.
I was born into a humble yet proud Kashmiri Pandit Hindu family. My family belonged to the Khar clan of Kashmiri Pandits, modest in means but rich in culture, where spirituality and art were not just practices but ways of living.
From my earliest memory, my parents were the center of my universe. They were the first reflection of God that my eyes could see. My father’s voice echoed through the walls of our home and the airwaves of our valley, while my mother’s calm strength held our world together. Every morning began with the fragrance of incense, the sound of a conch, and my father’s clear voice rehearsing lines for Radio Kashmir. I grew up believing that words carried power, that every sentence, if spoken with sincerity, could heal hearts. It was a lesson that would shape my entire life.
Faith, discipline, and devotion were not taught through words—they were lived. I learned to bow my head before God not only in temples but also before the ideals of honesty, service, and love that my parents embodied.
Those formative years in Kashmir were like verses of an unfinished poem—serene, musical, and full of divine grace. I did not yet know that those tranquil days would one day be replaced by turmoil, migration, and struggle. But perhaps God had already written my destiny—to experience loss and rebirth, to lose a homeland but find a voice stronger than ever before.
Name - Sunita Kher Trisal (Sunita Trisal)
Father’s name – Lt. Shri Piyare Kishan Kher (P.K. KHER)
Mother’s name – Lt. Smt. Shanta Sadhoo Kher (Shanta Kher)
Place of birth – Srinagar, Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Primary Education from Mahila Mahavidyalaya school, Sathu Bar-Bar Shah, Srinagar
10 + 2 from Government higher secondary school, Kothi bagh, Srinagar
Graduation from Govt College for women, Srinagar (Kashmir University)
Diploma in music(classical vocal) from Chhaya School of art, Chandigarh
Hobby – listening music, writing devotional songs, and Singing
A Father’s Legacy – Pandit Piyare Kishen Kher
I inherited my artistic spirit from my father, Pandit Piyare Kishen Kher (P. K. Kher), a legendary artist, broadcaster, and cultural icon of Kashmir, J&K, India, belonging to the respected Khar clan of Kashmiri Pandits.
As a broadcaster associated with Radio Kashmir Srinagar from 1958 until the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990, he was known for his mesmerizing voice in the iconic Waadi Ki Awaz program and several other news and cultural broadcasts. He was a revered figure in Kashmir’s cultural and artistic community. His work celebrated the beauty, poetry, and traditions of Kashmir, bringing to life the stories of its people during an era when radio was the beating heart of the valley’s culture.
But the journey to that prestigious platform was not without its own drama. In his youth, driven by the fire of artistic ambition, my father left home at barely eighteen, seeking to make a mark in the world of cinema. He travelled to Bombay (now Mumbai), then the dream city for every aspiring artist. There, he found small but meaningful opportunities in the film industry and even appeared in the 1953 Hindi film Ladki, alongside some of the era’s cinematic legends.
However, destiny called him back home. Bound by family responsibilities and personal commitments, he chose to return to Srinagar—a decision that revealed not defeat but duty. This story passed on to me by my grandmother and this act of responsibility and sacrifice profoundly shaped me. In Kashmir, he transformed his passion for performance into a lifelong career in broadcasting. As a voice artist, news presenter, and cultural anchor, he became a pillar of Radio Kashmir, contributing not only to news and entertainment but to the preservation of Kashmiri language, folklore, and music. I grew up admiring his balance between ambition and duty, his dedication to his craft, and his love for his homeland.
The early 1990s brought immense changes for my father and our family. As political turmoil and violence escalated in Kashmir, the region became a flashpoint for tensions. In 1990, the mass migration of Kashmiri Pandits due to rising militancy, known as the Exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, forced thousands of families, including ours, to leave. Despite the overwhelming tragedy and the forced departure from our homeland, my father’s resilience shone through.
Even as he faced personal and professional upheaval, he did not abandon his passion for broadcasting. After resettling in Delhi, he re-joined All India Radio as a Kashmiri migrant employee and continued his service until retirement. His voice, once the sound of the valley, became a bridge for displaced Kashmiri communities longing to reconnect with their homeland.
His transition to Delhi was not easy, and his adjustment to the new city, far removed from the familiar landscapes of Kashmir, was a testament to his dedication to his work and his commitment to serving his audience. He continued to contribute to All India Radio with programs that spoke to the plight of Kashmiri migrants, preserving the cultural essence of Kashmir even in the face of adversity.
As a father, he passed on his artistic and cultural values to me. I recall accompanying him to the Radio Kashmir studios, where I witnessed his remarkable ability to connect with his audience, his deep confidence, and his unwavering commitment to his craft. These moments had a profound impact on me, inspiring me to pursue my own artistic dreams, even when circumstances seemed challenging.
Through his work and personal example, he taught me the importance of resilience, dedication, and the preservation of one's heritage. His legacy lives on through me, as I continue his work of fostering Kashmiri culture, particularly through my devotional songs and community activism.
Even after retirement, my father remained a figure of reverence and respect in the Kashmiri community. His contributions to radio, his love for Kashmiri traditions, and his unyielding spirit in the face of adversity have cemented his place as a legend in Kashmir’s cultural history. His life serves as a beacon of perseverance, artistic integrity, and deep familial devotion, inspiring not just me but countless others touched by his work.
His life and career are a testament to the power of the arts and culture in overcoming adversity and keeping one’s heritage alive. His unwavering dedication to preserving and promoting the culture of Kashmir has left an indelible mark, and his legacy continues to inspire future generations to stay connected to their roots, no matter the challenges they may face.
To me, my father was not just a professional inspiration but a personal hero. She recalls accompanying him to the studio in Kashmir, observing the calm authority with which he narrated programs and the passion that radiated from his every word. His discipline, humility, and artistry left an indelible impression on her, nurturing within her a quiet yet powerful creative spirit.
Growing Up Amid Art and Adversity
As the eldest daughter, I grew up in a home where music, literature, and spirituality were everyday companions. My father’s voice filled the air with poetry and news; my mother, Smt. Shanta Sadhoo Kher, balanced tradition with compassion, instilling in us the values of integrity and respect.
After completing my graduation, I joined HMT Company, Srinagar, for a brief period. In 1988, I got married.
But with the beauty of the valley came the shadow of turbulence. The late 1980s brought growing political instability and violence in Kashmir. The exodus of 1990 forced our family, like many others, to abandon our homeland overnight, leaving behind not just property but memories, roots, and identity. My husband, our two-month-old daughter, and I migrated from Srinagar to Jammu, where we began life anew under difficult circumstances.
For me, the displacement was more than geographical—it disrupted my artistic aspirations. I had inherited my father’s “artist bloodline,” as I call it, but the atmosphere of uncertainty and struggle stifled my creative expression. Family responsibilities and the practical burdens of migrant life demanded my full attention. The dreamer inside me grew quiet, waiting for its moment to resurface.
A Spark Rekindled – The Return to Music and Writing
Despite the adversities, the turmoil of migration and the responsibilities of family delayed my artistic journey, but my inner creative flame never extinguished. Even while raising my children, I kept my love for music alive. I never gave up on my artistic roots. I felt a divine calling to reconnect with my inner artist. “With God’s grace,” I say, “I began again.”
Time arrived when my children grew up and family life found stability. With the house quieter and responsibilities lighter, I felt an ache—a pull back toward music and writing. Encouraged by my husband, I rekindled my passion for music, particularly devotional songs. I began to write and compose, gaining attention and appreciation from those around me. My soulful renditions, filled with emotion and sincerity, drew encouragement from relatives and audiences alike. What began as humble family performances gradually evolved into a renewed artistic journey.
At family gatherings, I would sing them, hesitantly at first. The applause of my relatives felt like sunlight after a long winter. Encouraged, I wrote more—songs of gratitude, exile, and surrender to God. Listeners said my voice carried both pain and peace. That mixture, I realized, was the essence of every migrant soul.
Perhaps it was my father’s unseen hand guiding me once again.
To hone my craft further, I took formal music training under Shri Ravi Bhan Ji, a renowned Kashmiri music teacher and composer. His patient guidance refined my vocal technique and deepened my understanding of traditional Kashmiri ragas and devotional expressions. Simultaneously, I did my graduation/ diploma certification in music and also had a brief but cherished association with Radio Sharda, Jammu, a cultural radio station dedicated to Kashmiri migrant voices, where I contributed as a singer and writer/broadcaster. The microphone no longer frightened me; it felt like home.
The Inspiring Life Story of Sunita Kher Trisal
My deep connection to my cultural roots drove me to take part in numerous cultural activities organized by Kashmiri forums. My songs and poems reflect my devotion and lived experiences of displacement, faith, and hope. They are available on social media platforms, where they continue to inspire audiences. Each performance feels like a prayer—a tribute to my parents, my homeland, and the resilience of my community.
I was invited to perform at numerous cultural programs organized by Kashmiri Pandit organizations in Jammu and Delhi, where my devotional songs and cultural speeches were met with admiration. I have been honored with several citations and awards recognizing my artistic contributions and my role in upholding the community’s traditions.
For a short period, I also engaged in political and social work, in the BJP Women’s Wing (Nari Shakti initiative & Jammu Tawi (river) cleaning drive) in Jammu. Though brief, this reflected my growing interest in social empowerment and public service.
Much of my stability and success/progress came from my husband, Shri Deepak Kumar Trisal, a former Deputy Manager in the Telecom Ministry of India, whose steadfast support became the pillar of my strength. Together, we navigated the practical and emotional challenges of relocation. Our children, too, were a source of motivation and guidance, helping me embrace new technologies and expand the reach of my music through online platforms. Delhi offered not just challenges but also opportunities—a canvas to merge my artistic, spiritual, and social aspirations. I deeply involved in philanthropic work, ultimately taking on the role of President of Sri Krishna Sewa Samiti, a government-approved NGO based in Delhi NCR.
Under my leadership, the NGO expanded its initiatives in education for children, women’s empowerment, environmental protection, health awareness, and skill development. I believe that service must arise from empathy, not obligation, and I strive to instill that ethos in every program we undertake. Scheme for rendering education to the children of marginalized communities, health camps, women’s skill development workshops, and community programs on civic responsibility are now part of our ongoing efforts.
Cultural revival remains a core focus of the Samiti. We host programs that celebrate traditional Indian music, dance, and art, ensuring that heritage continues to thrive even far from the homeland. Sustainability and environmental stewardship are also central to our mission, echoing the ancient wisdom that humanity is intimately connected with nature.
My guiding principle is Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam— “The world is one family.” To me, this is not merely a phrase; it is a way of life. Every act of service, every moment of empathy, becomes an offering, a living prayer in service of humanity.
Even as I sing, I write—poems and lyrics that speak to the migrant experience, the longing for home, and the quiet power of devotion. I have found that music opens hearts, while social service transforms communities. To me, there is no separation between the two. A devotional song uplifts the spirit; social work uplifts society. Both are prayers—one sung, one enacted.
Mentoring young women and aspiring artists has become a deeply rewarding part of my journey. Many fear that marriage, migration, or family responsibilities will silence their inner voice. I tell them: “You are never too late to begin again. Every dusk hides a new dawn.”
In simple, Message is clear: “Never let circumstances silence your inner voice. Every woman has the strength to rise, rebuild, and shine.”
My devotional songs are available on YouTube and other social platforms:
https://www.youtube.com/@sunitakher1515
https://soundcloud.com/sunita-trisal
🎵 https://youtu.be/dIzy2mrZ7WE?si=sszIYnH4ueZTchbm
🎵 https://youtu.be/DPvfmL2MbKM?si=Yb7Tjm-GyHK0lIiR
Listeners often describe my voice as soothing yet powerful, carrying the sincerity of prayer and the strength of lived experience.
My father’s words still resonate with me:
“When the world gets loud, listen to your inner voice—that’s where truth lives.”
That inner voice now sings through me.
Though uprooted from my homeland, my roots remain deep in faith, culture, and love for humanity. Wherever life takes me, I will continue to sing—not just with my voice, but with my soul. I may have been uprooted, but I never stopped growing. From the studios of Radio Kashmir to migrant camps in Jammu, from private devotion to public service in Delhi, every step has been guided by faith. My songs are offerings; my work is worship.
Sacred Vision
Philosophy and Vision
At the heart of my life lies faith, family, and service. Faith is not confined to temples or rituals; it is expressed in action. Family grounds me, inspires me, and reminds me of continuity amid change. Service is the highest form of devotion, a way to translate compassion into tangible impact.
I dream of establishing a cultural and educational center/school/university dedicated to preserving Kashmiri Pandit heritage—a space where art, literature, and spiritual wisdom converge, inspiring future generations to stay connected to their roots. Every initiative, every song, every act of service is part of this ongoing mission.
Harmony Of Purpose
Summary of Achievements
A gifted musician and social worker, she bridges devotion and service, empowering communities while preserving the soul of Kashmiri heritage.
Closing Reflection
My life is a story of rebirth. It reflects the journey of the Kashmiri Pandit diaspora: a people who lost their land but not their light. Through faith, artistry, and service, I continue to honor my parents, my husband, my heritage, and my community.
I live by three words: Faith, Family, Service. As long as I can sing, write, or help another being, I will continue to proclaim: God is Great.
