Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 7: Music legend, Pandit Bhajan Sopori, has been conferred the honorary degree of Doctorate of Literature (Honoris Causa) by the Utkal University of Culture, Bhubaneswar, Odisha in recognition of his unparalleled contribution to Indian music and culture by the Board of Management.
The honour was conferred upon Pandit Sopori during the 6th Convocation of the University by Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Kamal Kant Misra, Registrar, Dr Suman Das, Director Culture, Bijay Kumar Naik, Board Members and Members of the Executive Council. This is the 2nd honorary Doctorate degree conferred upon Pandit Bhajan Sopori.
While expressing his gratitude to Governor and Chancellor of the University, Dr SC Jamir, Vice-Chancellor and the Board of Management for bestowing the honour upon him, Sopori said “We have to contribute to our society, country and the entire world with creative works which makes a difference in the lives of the people and for that one has to take strong initiatives for which we need strength through pillars like rigorous training, dedication and devotion with a positive approach”.
He further added “I hope that all the students excel in their respective fields and achieve success with new creative works and experimentations bringing smile on the faces of everyone around the world”.
Pandit Bhajan Sopori is a complete institution in himself. Regarded as the cultural bridge of Jammu & Kashmir state with the rest of the country, he is hailed as the “Saint of the Santoor” and the “King of Strings”. 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.
He has composed music for more than 6000 songs and created history by being the first person to play the Indian Classical music on the Santoor in concerts way back in the early 1950’s. In his six decades of dedicated work, he has explored various dimensions of the Santoor, carrying out many path-breaking innovations”.
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