Pt. Sopori’s Santoor takes Delhi listeners into a trance

New Delhi/Jammu, November 08 (Scoop News) –The Great Music Legend Pandit Bhajan Sopori’s Santoor commenced the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of the Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan(BVB), New Delhi. The occasion also marked the 125th birth centenary of its founder K.M. Munshi. The 3 day Sangeet Samaroh was inaugurated by Sheila Dikshit, the Chief Minister of NCT of Delhi. She also released ‘Swar Bharati’, the Annual magazine of the Bhawan dedicated to the great Kashmiri scholar Acharya Abhinavgupt.

Pandit Bhajan Sopori presented Raga Hemant, a rare and complex evening melody. He played a detailed Aalap and Jod followed by compositions in Japtaal, Ektaal and Teentaal. This was followed by a traditional Dadra in Raga Mishra Khamaj. His recital marked high degree of technical virtuosity and erudition combining highly intricate Layakari and Chandhkari’ and speedy Taan patterns running through three octaves with mesmerizing Gayaki and Tantrakari Ang in his recital while demonstrating all the essential stylistic nuances of Hindustani Classical music such as Meend, Glides, Gamak, Bole patters, etc. The concert was attended by a large number of music lovers including Padmabhushan Dr. Shanno Khurana, Padmashri Smt. Sumitra Guha, eminent musicologist and writer Pt. Vijay Shankar Mishra, Prof. Aparna Sopori, Santoor Maestro & Music Composer Abhay Rustum Sopori, and various members of BVB, Delhi Kendra like Chairman Sh. C.R. Gharekhan, Vice CHairmperson Smt. Uma Vasudev, Director Sh. Ashok Pradhan, and many others.   

Pandit Sopori represents the 8th generation of music greats of the 300 year old Sopori Parampara and Sufiana Gharana of Kashmir, the exclusive traditional Santoor family of the country. The Legendary Santoor Maestro and Music Composer has introduced and established the ‘Sopori Baaj’ in the realm of Indian Classical Music for which he is hailed as the “Saint of Santoor” and the “King of Strings”. He has been the pioneer in establishing the Santoor on national and international platforms as a complete solo instrument. The quiet and unassuming maestro has come long way since he created history by being the first person to play the Indian Classical music on the Santoor in concerts way back in the early 1950’s. In his decades of dedicated work he has explored various dimensions of the Santoor, carrying out many path-breaking innovations. He has led the revival of Sufism to spread the message of humanism amongst the masses. Having composed over 5000 songs, he has used his Santoor and his compositions to highlight the concept of oneness and foster unity enshrining the idea of national integration, humanism and peace amongst the common man and the youth in particular. Regarded as the cultural bridge of the State of Jammu & Kashmir and the rest of the country, he has been honoured with various national and international awards and decorations like the prestigious Padma Shri, Sangeet Natak Academy Award, J&K State Award, National Flag Honour of the Arab Republic of Egypt, National Shiromani Award, Delhi Ratan Award, Delhi Telugu Academy Award, Beenkar Samman, Baba Allauddin Khan Award, Sangeet Bhushan Award,Sangeet Vibhuti Award, Raag Sagar and many more including dozens of lifetime achievement awards.

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