Srinagar, June 23: The 76th birth anniversary of Pandit Bhajan Sopori marked the occasion of the World Santoor Day.
The 1st World Santoor Day hosted a series of Santoor concerts by Indian and international artists.
AR Rahman, Kailash Kher and many others from the music and creative arts fraternity shared their tributes and wishes for the 1st World Santoor Day.
The music world came together to celebrate the inaugural World Santoor Day in New Delhi on Saturday evening. The Sopori Academy of Music and Performing Arts (SaMaPa), founded by the late Santoor legend Pandit Bhajan Sopori, chose June 22 for this celebration, collaborating with artists, music lovers, and various cultural organisations worldwide.
SaMaPa organised a musical evening at Triveni Kala Sangam featuring performances by prominent Santoor player Pandit Abhay Rustum Sopori and Padmashri Pandit Satish Vyas. The event included a diverse line-up of Indian classical, Kashmiri Sufiana, Iranian, Chinese, and Argentinian artists. June 22 also marks the birth anniversary of the late Pandit Bhajan Sopori (1948-2022) known as the “Saint of Santoor” and the “King of Strings.” The “World Santoor Day” pays tribute to his lifelong contributions.
The evening began with an introduction to the programme and tributes were paid to Pandit Bhajan Sopori. The performances started with Ustad Shabir Saaznawaz’s Kashmiri Sufiyana Mausiki, followed by Maestro Siamak Aghaei’s classical Santoor rendition from Iran.
Next, disciples of Pandit Bhajan Sopori performed on the occasion. Dr Mi Xuanye from China presented Raga Kirwani, accompanied by Dr Zhuang Jing on Tabla, while Guido Estrada from Argentina played Raga Charukeshi, accompanied by Demian Acierno on Tabla. These performances were showcased via online projector.
Live performances for the evening began with Divyansh Srivastava, a disciple of Pandit Bhajan Sopori and Pandit Abhay Sopori. He presented Raga Kaushik Dhwani. Divyansh presented Alaap, Jod and Gats in 8 ½ beats and Teentaal in the style of Sopori Baaj of Pandit Bhajan Sopori and Dhrupad Ang in Jugalbandi with Pakhawaj. He was accompanied by Ujit Uday on Tabla and Rishi Shankar Upadhyay on Pakhawaj.
Pandit Abhay Rustum Sopori presented the nuances of Tantra and Gayaki in the style of Sopori Baaj. He presented traditional Bandish and Tarana in Raag Jog in his well-known style and sang together with the instrumental rendition including Alaap, Vilambit Gat in Jhaptaal, Madhyalaya Bandish, and concluded his performance with an Ati Drut Gat in Teentaal. Ustad Akram Khan accompanied him on Tabla.
The first World Santoor Day programme concluded with the country’s renowned and senior Santoor maestro Padmashri Satish Vyas, who was accompanied on Tabla by Pandit Ram Kumar Mishra. He presented Raag Rageshwari. He presented Alaap followed by three compositions in Vilambit, Madhyalaya and Drut Teentaal.
Pandit Abhay Rustum Sopori remarked, “There couldn’t be a better event than World Santoor Day to pay tribute to a legend like Pandit Bhajan Sopori. This day will promote greater appreciation and understanding of the Santoor and its cultural philosophy. Papa’s contribution to the Santoor is immense, and this day will honour his legacy. This day shall not only honour Indian Santoor, but also the resembling instruments in various music cultures around the world like Santur in Iran, Santouri in Greece, Yangqin in China, Hammered Dulcimer in America, Cimbalom or Hackbrett in Europe, etc.”
Prof Aparna Sopori, Chairperson SaMaPa, highlighted the day’s significance, stating, “World Santoor Day will spotlight the rich heritage and historical significance and legacy of the Santoor, the Shatatantri Veena, on global stage, which is more than 5000 years old, emphasising its deep roots in the Kashmir Shaivism culture.”
“Pandit Bhajan Sopori was a complete institution in himself. He used his Santoor and music 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 for which he was hailed as a ‘Saint Musician’, the ‘Saint of Santoor’ and the ‘King of Strings’,” said eminent musicologist Pt Ravindra Misra.