Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 4: To celebrate the birth centenary of Ustad Allah Rakha, world-renowned Tabla maestro and son of the soil, Nami Dogri Sanstha organised a special programme here today and conferred “Ustad Allah Rakha Ji Award” to eminent tabla player of the State, Rajinder Kumar Raina.
D C Raina, Advocate General of Jammu and Kashmir State, was chief guest on the occasion whereas Mohd Aslam Qureshi (Retd IAS), presided over the function. Senior journalist Sohail Kazmi was special guest while, businessman Sachin Sharma was guest of honour and Rohit Chaudhary, social and RTI activist, was special invitee on the occasion.
Roshan Bral, a literary personality, read a detailed paper in Dogri on life and works of Rajinder Kumar Raina. Parshotam Kumar performed on Tabla accompanied by Raj Kumar Sharma who gave Nagma on harmonium.
D C Raina, in his address, said that Rajinder Kumar Raina has taken forward the Dogra legacy of tabla playing following the footsteps of Allah Rakha with same zeal and dedication taking Tabla playing to new heights.
Sachin Sharma lauded the long and tireless struggle of Rajinder Kumar Raina for scaling new heights in the field of Tabla playing. Rohit Choudhary said that struggle and life time achievements of Rajinder Kumar Raina is a source of inspiration for the budding artists of the State. Sohail Kazmi said that people get infused with pride when they read on internet Jenab Allah Rakha as Dogra artist who thundered the world with his mesmerizing beats.
Mohammed Aslam Qureshi, in his presidential address, said that a humble Dogra bestowed with favourable opportunities has the potential to become world leader in any discipline and that holds true in case of Allah Rakha.
Dogra Harish Kaila, president NDS, demanded that new Artists Club coming up in the Abhinav Theatre complex, should be named after Allah Rakha ji and an annual award for the promising artist be instituted by the Cultural Academy on the name of this world renowned legendary Tabla maestro.
Capt Lalit Sharma, while paying rich tributes to Allah Rakha, lauded this great son of a soldier turned farmer, who was born in Ghagwal town and popularised the art of tabla playing all over the world.
Yashpal Yash conducted the program and presented vote of thanks.
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