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. NEW DELHI: The capital witnessed a historic and emotionally resonant celebration of music on the occasion of Pandit Bhajan Sopori Day, observed on June 2, the Nirvana Divas of the legendary Saint - Music Legend Pandit Bhajan Sopori, revered as the “Saint of Santoor” and the “King of Strings.” The event, held at Jhankar Hall, New Delhi, was marked by Hazri performances of a galaxy of musicians of India, bringing together the rich tapestry of India’s musical heritage in a unique gathering featuring just the music fraternity.
The event saw heartfelt performances and offerings by musicians of all age groups like Pandit Ramkumar Mishra, Ustad Akram Khan, Ustad Rafiuddin Sabri, Anand Mishra, Zargam Khan, Rudraksh Srivastav (Tabla Solo), Pt. Chetan Joshi, Anjanaye Joshi, Krishna Prasanna, Raag Yaman (Flute), Vidushi Sudha Raghuraman (Carnatic Vocal), Ustad Murad Ali, Gauri Banerjee (Sarangi), Rajkumar Majumdar (Santoor), Prabhat Kumar (Sarod), S. Shridhar, Shubham Sarkar (Violin), Avinash Kumar, Rindhana Rahasya, Ghulam Hasan, Swati Tiwari, Nitin Sharma, Tanushree Kashyap (Vocal), Vignesh Jairaman (Mridangam), Pandit Shubh Maharaj, Pandit Pradip Sarkar, Sachin Sharma, Sagar Gujrati, Saptak Sharma, Manoj Shrivastav, Chanchal Singh, Ujith Uday, Balram Sisodia (Tabla accompaniment), Zakir Dholpuri, Ujjwal Kumar (Harmonium accompaniment), Shambhu Sisodia (Sarangi accompaniment) and many others.
The musical homage lasted over eight hours, an extraordinary and rare occurrence in today’s musical landscape especially Delhi NCR. Esteemed artists from across generations and genres participated in this soulful tribute, including stalwarts such as Vidushi Shanno Khurana, Pandit Sajan Mishra, Pandit Vidyadhar Vyas, Dr. Suneera Kasliwal, Vidushi Sumitra Guha, Pt. Vijay Shankar Mishra, Vidushi Anupam Mahajan, Pandit Rajnish Mishra, Ustad Mohsin Khan, Pandit Ajay P Jha, Ustad Akhtar Hasan, Ustad Asghar Hussain, Guru Pratibha Prahlad, Ragini Mahraj, Shivan Venrma, Swaransh Mishra, Adnan Khan, Rishi Shankar Upadhyay, Shubhashish Pakhak, Zuheb Khan, Parveen Sethi, Aman Nath, Yesudas BC, Director Doordarshan Sh. Sathish Namboodiripad, Anita Singh, Ranjana Narayan, Sadhna Shrivastav, Shailaja Khanna, Bharti Dhingra, Media personalities and others including members of Sopori family like Dr. Aparna Sopori, Pt. Abhay Rustum Sopori, Sohrab Sopori, Soumil Sopori and Soham Sopori, Ravindra Sharma and Disciples of Sopori Sufiana Gharan of Kashmir, Pandit Bhajan Sopori and Pt. Abhay Rustum Sopori like Usha Kher, Divyansh Srivastava, Anoushka Majumdar, Poushali Dutta, Akash Daniel, Abeer Tikoo, amongst others.
The musical fraternity, deeply moved by the occasion, described it as a rare coming together of senior and young musicians from Delhi and beyond. Pandit Ram Kumar Mishra, the eminent Tabla maestro, remarked, “This is perhaps the first time in over 50-60 years that Delhi NCR has witnessed such a grand music session featuring the entire fraternity, truly a rare and historic moment in Indian music.” Throughout the evening, musicians offered floral and musical tributes, invoking the divine presence of Pandit Bhajan Sopori and recalling his monumental contributions not just to music, but to humanity. Pandit Vijay Shankar Mishra noted, “Pandit Bhajan Sopori ji was not only a musical genius who gave Santoor the stature of a complete Indian classical solo instrument and to have composed over 8,000 to 10,000 songs in various languages, but also a great humanitarian who provided a platform for countless musicians across generations and relentlessly promoted classical, folk, and light music throughout the country.” Maestro Pandit Abhay Rustum Sopori, son and musical successor of Pt. Bhajan Sopori, expressed his heartfelt gratitude saying that the day has become truly memorable because of every musician and thanked everyone for their presence, their music, and love.
