page 1 of 23 - sahajasahaja.eu/music/abhay_rustum_sopori_profile.pdfpage 8 of 23 some of the awards...

of 23

Abhay Rustum Sopori „Santoor Maestro, Music Composer & Conductor‟

Versatile is one word that describes Abhay Rustum Sopori, for he is the youngest

Santoor maestro, youngest classical musician to compose and conduct orchestras and

folk & Sufi ensembles, and has also been the youngest recipient of all the awards that

he has received including the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi‟s first „Ustad

Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar‟, 2006 and „J&K State Award‟ (the highest Civilian Award

of the State of Jammu & Kashmir, 2011) in recognition of his outstanding contribution

and achievements in the field of music. He has also been honoured with the prestigious

„Sabzaar Award of Excellence‟, 2013, „Kashmir Kirti Samman‟, 2012, KECSS Award‟, 2011,

„Glory of India Award‟, 2010, „Best Citizens of India Award‟, 2010, „Sangeet Shree

Award‟, 2010, „Bharat Shiromani Award‟, 2009, „Ma Sharika Samman‟, 2009, „National

Dogri Award‟, 2008, „Sangeet Bhushan Award‟, 2007, „Excellence Award‟, 2007, „Young

India Award‟, 2006, „Juenjo Korean International Heritage Award‟, 2005, „Kalawant

Samman‟, 2004, etc. Abhay‟s name also features in various Biographical-note Volumes

like Reguerson Inc.‟s “Famous India‟s Who‟s Who” and Rifacimento International‟s “Asia

Pacific Who‟s Who” and “Asian Admirable Achievers”.

Abhay has had the honour of being the only contemporary composer of India whose

composition “Haftrang”, as a tribute to Kashmir, has been conducted by the legendary

music maestro Mr. Zubin Mehta before his presentations of classic legends like

Beethoven, Haydn and Tchaikovsky giving international recognition to the music of

Kashmir creating history in the world music. The composition was performed by the

Bavarian State Orchestra, one of the top most and the biggest orchestra of the world,

together with Abhay‟s Kashmiri ensemble. Abhay also had the honour to share the stage

and conduct along with the legendary Mr. Zubin Mehta.

Abhay has participated in various prestigious festivals across the world and has more

than 35 notable albums and releases to his credit. EMI, the world‟s leading music label,

has released various albums with him which include Dancing Dewdrops (India), The

Urban Grooves – Kashmir (India), Tum Jo Mile (India), Voyage au coeur de l'Inde -

Journey to the heart of India (France), etc. He also has the credit of releasing the

first International albums of J&K like Aalav, Shehjaar, Runjhun, etc.

Abhay has composed music for the International Award winning film „Ziyarat‟

(California, USA), National Award winning film „BUB‟ and „Mahatma‟, a film by

Government of India on Mahatma Gandhi, presented at the „United Nations‟ marking the

first International Non-violence Day. He also composed the song “Aao Kadam Badhayain” for raising relief funds for the Kashmir earthquake victims. The song featured some of

the most renowned and legendary classical musicians of India and went on to become the

greatest musical hit of Jammu and Kashmir. He has also served as the youngest Visiting

of 23

Faculty at the University of Massachusetts (Amherst, USA). Abhay also happens to be

the first Indian Classical musician to be invited at the prestigious International

conference TEDx.

A graduate in Management and Computers with Masters in Music, Abhay was born in

Srinagar and inherited a profound sense of music from his fabled Sufiana Gharana of

Kashmir – the exclusive traditional Santoor family – with its roots spanning over nine

generations over more than 300 years. Abhay learnt music under the traditional Guru-Shishya Parampara from his grandfather Pandit Shamboo Nath Sopori, hailed as the

„Father of Music‟ in Jammu and Kashmir, and from his father Pandit Bhajan Sopori, the

legendary Santoor maestro and music composer.

A gifted and prodigious musician, Abhay continues to innovate and experiment with the

Santoor further extending its dimension. In keeping with his lineage he has established

the concept of „Gayan-Vadan Baaj‟ in the Indian classical system and introduced the

„Open String Concept‟ on the Santoor together with the „Enhanced Sustain Technique‟. He has also invented, designed and introduced a new 30-stringed instrument „Sur

Santoor‟. Abhay has revived the old Sufiana Tarana compositions of his predecessors

and adopted them in the Indian Classical scenario and also composed and introduced new

Khayal compositions based on Sufi Saints of Kashmir. He has also composed and

introduced a new Raga named „Nirmalkaunce‟.

Some of hallmarks of Abhay's performances are mellifluous playing, lightning tempo,

clarity and accuracy of Raga exposition and adoption of the Sopori Baaj (style) the

unique format of Santoor playing created by Pandit Bhajan Sopori. The Sopori Baaj incorporates the essential technical nuances of both the Gayaki (vocal) and Tantrakari (instrumental) Angs (aspects) such as „Meend‟, „Gamak‟, „Glides‟, „Taan‟, „Bol‟, „Chhand‟ and „Laya‟ patterns, which are absolutely essential for the correct rendering of Raga-Sangeet in the true Indian Classical tradition. Performing with the accompaniment of

the Pakhawaj is also a special characteristic of his Baaj. Another remarkable and unique

quality of his presentation is that he sings the composition along with its instrumental

rendering reviving the traditional Santoor playing.

Abhay has carried forward the great legacy of his family in propagating and promoting

the Indian culture globally. He has the credit for creating a Cultural Revolution in the

Jammu and Kashmir State bringing the youth together through music. His efforts and

initiatives have been path-breaking creating a new generation of music connoisseurs and

bringing more recognition to the art and culture of the country. He has not only

established himself as one of the most prominent musicians of the present generation

but simultaneously promoted numerous upcoming and talented musicians of the country.

Res: 21/79, Lodhi Colony, New Delhi -110003 Tele-Fax: +91. 11. 24625652

Email: [email protected] Mobile: +91. 9811622055

of 23

Abhay with the legendary music maestro Mr. Zubin Mehta

of 23

Some of the Music Albums / Releases of Abhay Rustum Sopori

of 23

Some of the Awards bestowed upon Abhay Rustum Sopori

J&K State Award 2011(The Highest Civilian Award of Jammu & Kashmir State)

Abhay being honoured by H.E. Governor of J&K Sh. N.N. Vohra, Honb. Chief Minister

Sh. Omar Abdullah and Honb. Dy. Chief Minister Sh. Tara Chand

KECSS Award 2011

Abhay being honoured by Honb. Chief Minister of Delhi Smt. Sheila Dikshit

of 23

Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (Ust. Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, 2006)

Abhay being honoured by Sh. Ram Niwas Mirdha, Chairman SNA

Bharat Shiromani Award 2008 – 2009

Abhay being honoured by H.E Shri M.S Bhandare, Governor of Orissa

of 23

Maa Sharika Samman 2009 National Dogri Award, 2008

Abhay being honoured by Prof. M.L. Madan, Abhay being honoured by H.E. Lt. Gen. S.K.Sinha

VC – Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya University Governor Jammu and Kashmir

Sangeet Bhushan Award, 2007 Kalawant Samman, 2004

Abhay Being honoured by Ust. Ghulam Saddiq Khan Abhay Being honoured by Ust. Abdul Halim Jaffer Khan

Youngs India Award, 2006 Excellence Award, 2007 Abhay being honoured by (New Delhi)

Prof. A. Mattoo, VC Jammu University

of 23

Kashmir Kirti Samman 2012 (Pune)

Smt. Sheila Dikshit, Hon’ble Chief Minister

of Delhi felicitating Abhay Rustum Sopori

Smt. Sonia Gandhi &

Sh. Rahul Gandhi,

Hon’ble Members of Parliament

felicitating Pt. Bhajan Sopori &

Abhay Rustum Sopori

of 23

Some Selected Press Review

of 23

Some of the major concerts and presentations of Abhay Rustum Sopori

of 23

Abhay Sopori conducting & presenting the J&K Folk music Ensemble

of 23

Abhay Rustum Sopori conducting & presenting the ‘Sufi Kinship’,

the first ever Sufi ensemble of the world

of 23

Abhay Rustum Sopori presenting Santoor recital at the far flung areas and

remote corners of the country including border areas, Jail, etc. propagating the

cultural heritage of the country to Lakhs of people

of 23

Abhay conducting the J&K Folk Music Ensemble with around 50 musicians in Delhi

Abhay conducting the J&K Folk Music

Ensemble with around 50 musicians

H.E Governor J&K Sh. N.N. Vohra, Hon’ble

Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Pt. Bhajan Sopori

enjoying Abhay Sopori’s Santoor recital

H.E Governor J&K Sh. N.N.. Vohra

felicitating Abhay Sopori after the concert

Hon’ble Sh. Rahul Gandhi greeting Abhay

after his presentation

page 1 of 23 - sahajasahaja.eu/music/abhay_rustum_sopori_profile.pdfpage 8 of 23 some of the awards...

Documents