New Delhi, June 2:
Santoor maestro Bhajan Sopori, often referred to as the ‘saint of santoor’ and ‘king of strings’ for his mastery over the instrument, died today at a Gurugram hospital following a battle with cancer. He was 73.
Sopori is survived by his wife and two sons Sorabh and Abhay, who also plays the santoor.
“He was diagnosed with colon cancer last year in June. We admitted him to Fortis, Gurugram, three weeks back for immunotherapy treatment. It didn’t work for him and his health deteriorated,” his son Abhay said.
“Papa has been with me whenever I have performed. I don’t know how my life is going to be without him,” the grieving son added.
The last rites will be held at the Lodhi Road crematorium here tomorrow.
In a statement, Fortis Memorial Research Institute said the santoor exponent was diagnosed with “colon cancer stage IV” and was under treatment at the hospital since February this year. Click here to watch video
“The disease had spread to the liver and bones. (He) had received chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy over the last couple of months.
“He was admitted at FMRI on May 18, 2022, after his condition had deteriorated. In spite of the best efforts of the doctors, however, he succumbed to multi-organ failure on June 2, 2022,” the hospital further said.
Sopori’s death comes just weeks after santoor virtuoso Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, who also belonged to J&K and took the stringed instrument to the classical music stage, died on May 10. And on Saturday, playback singer KK passed away on Saturday in Kolkata following a cardiac arrest.
Sopori received multiple awards through his career, including the Padma Shri in 2004, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1992 and the Jammu and Kashmir State Lifetime Achievement Award.
The musician-composer belonged to north Kashmir’s Sopore area of Baramulla district and came from the ‘Sufiana Gharana’.
Sopori, who gave his first public performance at the age of 10, was initiated into the intricacies of santoor playing by his grandfather Pandit Samsar Chand Sopori and later by his father Pandit Shamboo Nath Sopori.
The musician is considered a pioneer in establishing the santoor on national and international platforms as a complete solo instrument. He is also credited with innovating the instrument to improve its tonal quality and range.
The Jammu & Kashmir NC also mourned Sopori’s death in a tweet.
“Dr Farooq, @OmarAbdullah condole demise of Santoor Maestro Bajan Sopori. They said ‘He was a great human being, a very talented musician. His contribution to music will be remembered by generations to come. They prayed for peace to the deceased & strength to the bereaved family’.”
Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad also condoled the demise of Bhajan Sopori.
“It’s a shocking news for me and my wife Shameem to learn about the sudden demise of eminent santoor maestro and ace music composer Pandit Bhajan Sopori ji. He was family to us. Shameem and Sopori Sahib were dear brother and sister. Both took music lessons from Bhajan ji’s late father Pt. Shambhoo Nath Sopori ji,” said Azad.
“I am speechless as I have not only lost a great mentor but a dear brother. My long association with Guru-bhai in the field of music was more than four decades. I am short of words to express how deep a void I feel. Bhajan ji will live-on in my memory. My sincere condolence to his wife and sons. May his soul rest in peace. I pray Almighty to give strength and courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss”. said Shameem Azad.(PTI)
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