New Delhi, Jan 19: Renowned Santoor maestro and music composer Pandit Abhay Rustum Sopori has been conferred with the prestigious National Business Excellence Award 2025 by the Global India Business Forum (GIBF), which is connected with over 150 countries embassies and consulates supporting India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
The award recognises exceptional leaders, innovators, and pathbreakers, including entrepreneurs, diplomats, and cultural icons, for their contributions to the nation’s development. The award recognises Pt. Abhay Sopori as India’s Best Santoor Player and Music Composer, and his extraordinary contributions to preserving and innovating the legacy of the Santoor as well as his efforts in promoting Indian music and culture globally.
The award was presented at the Constitution Club of India, Delhi by Dr. Jitendra Joshi, Founder and Global President of GIBF, along with Dr. Ali Achoui, Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to India, and Ganbold Dambajav, Ambassador of Mongolia to India.
Pandit Abhay Rustum Sopori, a scion of the Sopori – Sufiana Gharana of Kashmir, represents a 300-year-old musical legacy with deep roots of Shaivism and Sufi mysticism, and is the son of the Saint Music Legend Pandit Bhajan Sopori and grandson of Master musician Pandit Shambhoo Nath Sopori. Known for revolutionizing the sound and technique of the Santoor, he has elevated the instrument to global prominence through innovation and exclusive renditions. His performances, including at prestigious events like G20 summits and Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas 2025, have showcased Indian classical music on the world stage.
Apart from his artistry, Pandit Abhay Sopori has contributed significantly to the academic and cultural landscape of Jammu & Kashmir and has been instrumental in introducing a Cultural Policy and incorporating music as a subject in colleges, which led to the historic inclusion of Postgraduate Degrees in Music in Kashmir recently. His initiatives have created new avenues for academic and professional growth, empowering countless musicians especially the youth. Pandit Sopori expressed gratitude to Global India Business Forum and dedicated the honour to his fabled legacy, the Sopori Sufiana Gharana of Kashmir and the rich cultural heritage of India. “This recognition is a reflection of the timeless legacy of Indian classical music and the transformative power of culture in uniting the world,” he remarked.
