Jammu, March 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) Sat-urday organised the ‘Meet the Eminent Artist’ programme featuring renowned classical singer and former Director of Radio Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Sambyal, affectionately known as ‘Rangeeley Thakur’.
Held under the guidance of Harvinder Kour, Secretary, JKAACL, the event aimed to introduce the younger generation to distinguished artists and preserve their artistic heritage. Born on 17 January 1955, in Mandi Kehli Samba, Jammu and Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Sambyal discovered his passion for Hindustani classical music at an early age. Trained by eminent gurus, he mastered vocal music and tabla, earning accolades nationwide. A retired civil servant and scholar, he holds a Master’s degree in Hindustani Vocal Music and Sociology. Committed to the Guru-Shishya Parampara, he continues to mentor young musicians, ensuring the preservation of India’s rich musical traditions. The event be-gan with a felicitation by Sanjeev Rana, Additional Secretary, JKAACL, who praised Vijay Kumar Sam-byal’s invaluable contributions to Indian classical music. Captivating Performance: The maestro deliv-ered a spellbinding recital, demonstrating his musical mastery. Sharing his journey, experiences, and challenges, he inspired the audience with insights from his illustrious career. Javaid Rahi, Divisional Head, JKAACL, Jammu, expressed gratitude to all attendees for their presence and support. The pro-gramme was eloquently conducted by Rajkumar Behrupia, adding vibrancy to the proceedings. The event was a celebration of India’s classical music heritage, reinforcing JKAACL’s commitment to pre-serving and promoting the region’s rich cultural traditions.
