Dr. Usha Bagati
My association with Guru Shamboo Nath Sopori Ji goes back almost four decades. Seeing my aptitude for music, my uncle Late Dwarika Nath Kher, who also used to play the Sitar as a hobby introduced me to his friend Master Ji. Master Shamboo Nath Ji with is disarming smile greeted me warmly putting all my apprehension at rest.
A real believer in “Guru Shishya Parampara,’’ he initiated me in to the world of music, and even accompanied me to Late Rehman Zoo’s shop a manufacturer in musical instruments to purchase a sitar.
After that he started teaching me the techniques and fundamentals of Indian Classical Music and the nuances of Ragas along with their comparative study. To develop melody, appeal and aesthetic sense in Swaras (notes) along with the concept of rhythm, he insisted on long hours of Riyaz both vocal and instrumental, with dedication and discipline.
Master Ji always showed a lot of patience with his disciples irrespective of caste, creed and colour. He was “Samrat” in Tanravada Sitar, Santoor, and classical vocal in J&K State as well as in the whole of country. Master Ji lived for his music. His life reflected his belief that musicians are to be heard, not seen. His simple unostentatious existence in his beloved Kashmir contrasted in his rich melodious notes that emerged from his Santoor.
He was punctual and regular. He took into his fold all his disciples and was always concerned about their well being. This relationship continued over the years together, inspite of his falling health.
He would inspire people from all walks of life to sing and play and awaken them to nuances of melody, feeling with emotions.
He was a versatile musician with great command on languages like Persian, Sanskrit, Urdu, Hindi, Kashmir, Dogri, Arabic etc. He had a huge deposit of compositions. His star, Santoor classical vocal took his favoured instruments to the centre stage of the music world.
With his good looks humble, humorous personality mastery over his choosen instruments gave him a crowd of fans and disciples to name just a few:- Maharani Yoshoraj Laxmi, Shameena Azad, the melody queen, Late Mohd Ashraf, Prof Rifat Javeen, Late Omkarnath Raina, Prof. Kailash Mehra Nightingale of Kashmir, Mrs Sunaina Kaul H.O.D. Vocal institute of Music and Fine Art, renowned singer and classical vocal music performer, Prof. Jaikishori Kaul, Dr Rajkumari Mazine, Dr Bushanlal Bhat. Some are excellent performers and some academicians of repute.
Late Miss Mohmooda Ahmad Ali Shah former Principal of Women College M A Road Srinagar was highly impressed by his knowledge of music in his tenure in the college. Master Ji made great contributions in staging various operas, light classical, Music classical, vocal and instrumental classical music at M.A. Road Women College one of the prestigious colleges in Kashmir Valley.
Since he is not with us, we all disciples should adopt his path of dedication and zeal. He will always be remembered for his humane qualities.
(The author is former HoD Music Govt PG MAM College Jammu)
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