Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: Santoor, the ancient Shatatantri Veena of Kashmir, is among a few instruments that capture the delicate blend of melody, meditation and storytelling in a subtle way like none other. Nurtured through the rich legacy of age-old Sopori Sufiana Gharana rooted in the century's old musical traditions of Kashmir, it has travelled from valleys to stages across the universe.
Keeping the living legacy from legends to senior and young artists, the 3rd edition of World Santoor Day was organised by SaMaPa (Sopori Academy of Music and Performing Arts) here at the Chinmaya Auditorium, New Delhi witnessed by music lovers and prominent personalities. The programme marked the Birth Anniversary of the ‘Saint of Santoor’ and the ‘King of Strings’, the great Saint Music Legend late Pt. Bhajan Sopori, celebrating his enduring legacy and his continued relevance in the contemporary times.
The annual programme by SaMaPa honours the glorious legacy of the Indian Santoor and its journey into newer generations of artists. The day “22nd June” was announced and celebrated as the first ever ‘World Santoor Day’ in the year 2024 by the artist and the creative arts fraternity including legends like Sh. AR Rahman, Sh. Anup Jalota, Sh. Kailash Kher, Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Vidushi Sumitra Guha, Sh. Siddharth Kak, Pandit Vijay Shankar Mishra, Ustad Akram Khan, Ustad Rafiuddin Sabri, Pt. Bholanath Mishra, Ustad Asghar Husain, Sh. Ravindra Misra, and many others together with various prominent cultural organizations of the country.
Talking about the programme, Pandit (Dr.) Abhay Rustum Sopori said, “World Santoor Day pays homage to an instrument which is synonymous with the centuries-old musical heritage and culture of India. It is indeed a highly significant day for me as it is observed on the birthday of my father and guru, Pandit Bhajan Sopori ji, who dedicated his entire life to enhancing the sanctity of the Santoor, continuing the tradition of Sufiana of Kashmir and ensuring that classical music becomes relevant and accessible for people across the globe. His aim was much more than performance; he wanted people to understand the importance of values, conversation and human connection through music, and Santoor was the medium of this mission.”
This year, the festival saw Santoor performances by young talented Divyansh Srivastava accompanied by Khurram Ali Niazi (Tabla) and Varun Rajasekharan (Ghatam) presenting Raga Jhinjhoti in the ‘Sopori Baaj’ style; Pandit Sandip Chatterjee accompanied by Pandit Durjay Bhaumik (Tabla) presenting Raga Kaushik Dhwani; and maestro Pandit Abhay Rustum Sopori accompanied by Ustad Akram Khan (Tabla) and Pandit Vishwambhar Nath Mishra (Pakhawaj), the Mahant of Sankat Mochan Mandir, Varanasi, presenting Raga Malkauns highlighting the essence of Sopori Sufiana Gharana and Sopori Baaj.
The programme was compered by eminent TV personality Ms. Sadhna Shrivastav. Apart from the main sessions of the World Santoor Day Delhi, the additional sessions this year were organised in Argentina, China, USA, Germany and within India like Odisha. On this occasion a number of Santoor players of all age groups were felicitated by SaMaPa and maestro Sopori including Pt. Dishari Chakraborty, Pt. Raj Kumar Majumdar, Divyansh Srivastava, Anoushka Majumdar, Poushali Dutta, Dheeraj Vaishnav, Luis Vega, Pradeep Sharma and others.
"Among the most notable aspects about World Santoor Day is performances by the senior maestros and young performers. This highlights the positive continuity and evolution of the Santoor as it changes with time yet holds onto its identity. In an increasingly fast-paced and technology-driven world, music continues to offer reflection, balance and connection. The growing participation of young musicians and audiences shows that the Santoor remains relevant and continues to inspire across generations and geographies," said Prof. Aparna Sopori.
The occasion, a day after World Music Day, remembers the late Pandit Bhajan Sopori, the musician known as the "Saint of Santoor" and the "King of Strings". He created the Sopori Baaj, a way of playing Santoor and worked to preserve and expand Indian classical music and the Sufiana tradition of Kashmir. The day also acknowledges the contribution of all Santoor players who have contributed to the instrument's legacy and popularity.
