Shallu Jasrotia
Man has created art and culture by manoeuvring or imitating the nature to fulfill and satisfy his needs and desires. In the same way music is a wonderful creation which communicates emotions, thoughts and inspiration transcending race, religion and culture, transforming itself into a divine world.
Musical tradition of India is as old as vedic tradition, so our music has a great history and glorious past. It has been renewed and rejuvenated at every stage. In its development numerous musicians have played a vital and important role. These extraordinary, matchless and efficient musicians have made a valuable contribution in different ways which have enriched our Indian music to a great extent. They have made India proud by establishing their talent of art and by developing Indian Music to the national and international level.
As a result, not only Indian but foreign lovers of this Art shall always remain indebted to the great artists of India. Such unrivalled artists have left indelible impression due to which they are praised and worshipped throughout the world. These artists on their different styles of singing, playing instruments and dancing, have made their different categories which are technically known as ‘Gharanas’. To transfer the musical art, from one generation to the next, became the root of the Ghrana system. As a result many ghranas in vocal music as well as instrumental has come in Hindustani music. Vocal has been given the first position as compared to instrumental music, which has a second position. But in present time, instrumental music is also gaining more importance and becoming more popular. As a result, the different varieties of instruments are being added in our Hindustani classical music. Santoor is one such instrument. It is an ancient stringed Musical instrument of Kashmir.
The instrument Santoor, recently adapted in Hindustani music, is among the most outstanding developments of this century. From the valley of Kashmir an accompaniment to the Sufiana Musique, it underwent a total transformation and emerged with features of a solo instrument on the international concert scenario, whose complete credit goes to the musician, music composer and the present Santoor maestro of Sufiana gharana of Kashmir Padamshree awardee Pandit Bhajan Sopori.
Pandit Sopori of Kashmir, now residing in Delhi, has done a lot of improvements, innovations and efforts to make it a complete solo instrument. And to raise its standard at the highest and prestigious level he has used his Santoor and his compositions to highlight the concept of oneness and foster, unity enshrining the idea of national integration, humanism and peace amongst the common man and the youth in particular. Pandit Bhajan Sopoori, a living legend and a musical genius, he is more than an individual, a performer and composer par excellence, musicologist, teacher, writer, poet and an extraordinary human being. He is infact a complete institution in himself.
Born in 1948 in a family of musicians of ‘Sufiana Gharana’ of Kashmir, Pandit Sopori has been the pioneer in bringing Santoor on National and International platforms by giving it the honour and prestige of a complete concert solo instrument. His family has played Santoor for over six generations.
A highly learned person, Pt. Sopori did his masters both in Santoor and Sitar besides having Masters degree in English literature. He also studied Western Classical Music at the Washington University, USA.
Pt. Sopori hails from Sopore in Kashmir valley and traces his lineage to ancient Santoor experts. Pandit ji was initiated into Santoor playing by his Grand father pandit S.C Sopori, and later by his father Pandit S.N. Sopori, the veteran musician of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, under whom he had rigorous training that provided him a strong traditional base of Raga-Sangeet combining both the Gayaki and Tantrakari styles in his instrument. His highly intricate laylakari, chandhkari and speedy taan patterns running through three octaves and melodious Alaap leave a scintillating effect on the listeners.
The quiet and unassuming maestro has come a long way since he created history by being the first person to play the Indian Classical music on the Santoor way back in the early 1950s. After 13 years of militancy in valley, he has been the only classical musician to go back to Kashmir to revive the Indian classical music amongst the masses by his concert in the state.
Pandit Ji also runs a Music Academy called Sa Ma Pa (Sopori Academy for Music & Performing Arts), which is actively involved in promoting Indian Classical Music. The academy has trained several musicians and revived old instruments. Pandit Sopori, through his Academy provided stage and platform to efficient musicians of Hindustani music including those who never got opportunity to show their talent on stage. He has been organizing a musical fest ‘Sa Ma Pa Alap’ since 2004 in the states of Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir .
Pandit Sopori is the only classical musician to have composed music of more than 6000 songs in various languages of the country including Persian, Arabic, Sindhi, Sanskrit etc.
Pandit Bhajan Sopori’s research on sound and his instrument Santoor are remarkable. Pharmaceutical companies have released his album on ‘sound therapy’. One of the highly commendable albums, which have had tremendous effects on the listeners, is ‘Naad (sound) Yoga on Santoor’.
His religious Hymns and vedic chanting of shaloka’s, mantra’s Naats, Guru-Bani etc, are unparallel like ‘Mahamritunjaya’, ‘Durga Kavach’, ‘Surya upasna’ etc. His recitals and compositions have proved him to be a trendsetter in the north Indian musical scenario of the country.
Pandit Ji has led the revival of Sufism to spread the message of humanism and the patriotism amongst the masses, especially the youth. Pandit Ji has also composed and introduced three new Raags: Raag Laleshwari, Raag Patwanti, and Raag Nirmalranjani.
Pandit Bhajan Sopori has composed music for films, commercial, documentaries, serials, opera, choirs, orchestras etc. He has been the youngest composer to compose for the national orchestra (vadya vrinda). He has performed in India and many foreign countries, such as in Belgium, Egypt, England, Germany, Norway, Syria, USA etc.
He has revived and recomposed the INA songs for the national integration and unity of the country. He has composed various patriotic songs, which are loved by the people of all age groups, like “Bharat Bharat Hum Iski Santaan”, “Hum Honge Kaamyaab”, “Bharat Ki Beti”, “Vijayee Vishwa Tiranga Pyaara”, “Vande Maataram”, “Sarfroshi Ki Tamanna”, “Naman Tujhko Mere Bharat”, etc. for the national integration. His compositions bear the distinctive stamp of his virtuosity and erudition and have been sung by eminent vocalists of the country. His classical version of “Saare Jahan Se Achhaa….” and instrumental version of “Vande Maataram” are recognized pioneering efforts.
For his enormous contributions, he has received numerous awards including the prestigious Padma Shri, J&K State Award (the highest civilian award of J&K State), Sangeet Natak Academy Award, Delhi Ratan Award and many more. He has also been honoured with the National Flag of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
As a result, it can be said that Pandit Bhajan Sopori’s contribution in the field of Music is incredible and appreciable. His efforts to raise and to maintain the standard of Hindustani music and his musical journey is still continuing.
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