New Delhi, Mar 02: Santoor maestro and composer Pandit Abhay Rustum Sopori has been conferred with the Swar Shri Samman 2025 by Sargam Mandir during its 61st year celebrations in Delhi recognising Pt. Abhay Sopori’s path breaking works and contributions in the field of music at Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi.
Sargam Mandir is a well-known cultural organisation of Delhi which was founded in 1964 by late Pt. Jagdish Mohan, an eminent vocalist of Kirana Gharana. Dr. Deepak Sharma, Secretary of Sargam Mandir congratulated Pt. Sopori while presenting the award. Pandit Abhay Rustum Sopori is the present custodian of the age-old Santoor tradition and the Shaivite – Sufi musical tradition of Kashmir. A scion of the fabled Sopori – Sufiana Gharana of Kashmir, he represents the 3 centuries old Santoor legacy.
Taking forward the legacy of great masters like Pandit Shamboo Nath Sopori ji and Pandit Bhajan Sopori ji, Pt. Abhay Sopori dedicated the award to his Gurus, his father and grandfather, and thanked Sargam Mandir organization for bestowing the honour upon him. Post award function Pt. Abhay Sopori presented his Santoor recital accompanied by Pandit Ram Kumar Mishra on Tabla. Pt. Sopori presented Aalap, Jod and Gats in Vilambit and Drutlaya Teentaal in Raga Bageshree highlighting his ‘Sopori Baaj’ style of Santoor with variations of Meend, Gamak, Laya, Chhand and Bol patterns and his Gayaki and Tantrakari aspects receiving a long standing ovation from the music connoisseurs.
