JAMMU: The Great Music Legend of India, Late Pandit Bhajan Sopori has been honoured with the Pandit Kshitipal Mallick Dhrupad Ratna Award 2024 for his lifelong contribution and unparalleled service to music. The function was organized by Pandit Kshitipal Mallick Dhrupad Society at India International Centre, Delhi. The music community came together to remember and honour the legendary Santoor Maestro & Music Composer Pandit Bhajan Sopori, who was fondly known as the Saint of Santoor and the King of Strings.
“Late Pandit Bhajan Sopori introduced Dhrupad on Santoor with the accompaniment of the Pakhawaj and contributed significantly in popularizing Dhrupad music. Keeping in mind his 7 decades of service to music; taking Santoor to international platforms; establishing the Sopori Baaj which is the style he created combining aspects of Dhrupad, Khayal and Tantrakari, Panditji took Santoor to a new level. His music and Santoor continues to inspire millions even today”, said senior musicologist and writer Pandit Vijay Shankar Mishra at the occasion.
The award was received by Pandit Bhajan Sopori’s sons Sohrab Sopori and Pandit Abhay Rustum Sopori, the present representative of the 300-year-old Sopori Sufiana Gharana of Kashmir, with its age old roots of Shaivite – Sufi Parampara. The award was presented by members of the Dhrupad Society, Mallick family and renowned musicians and scholars like Pandit Vijay Shankar Mishra, Vocalist Pandit Bholanath Mishra, Violinist Ustad Asghar Hussain, Tabla maestro Ustad Akram Khan, Guitar player Pandit Ajay Jha and many others.
The occasion featured Dhrupad recital of Dr. Prabhakar Narayan Pathak Mallick who presented Raga Yaman followed by Santoor recital by Pandit Abhay Rustum Sopori, who presented the shades of Sopori Baaj dominated by Dhrupad Ang Meends and Gamaks in Raga Bhawani, a self composed Raga by Pandit Abhay Sopori. He was joined by Pandit Mithilesh Jha on Tabla and Rishi Shankar Upadhyay on Pakhawaj.
Pandit Bhajan Sopori received hundreds of national and international awards and honours, and titles and decorations during his lifetime including the prestigious Padma Shri, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Rashtriya Kalidas Samman, J&K Government Lifetime Achievement Award, J&K Government Award, multiple Honorary Doctorates by different Universities, amongst others. J&K Government named the auditorium at DIPR Kashmir in Pandit ji’s name as “Pandit Bhajan Sopori Auditorium” at Srinagar on 15th August 2022. He was also honoured posthumously with the prestigious Maharaja Banaras Vibhuti Narayan Singh Award 2023 Varanasi, Circle of Excellence Award 2022 by Kashmir Overseas Association USA, and Parampara Lifetime Achievement Honour 2022 by Parichay Foundation Odisha.
