Excelsior Correspondent
![Abhay Rustum Sopori during ‘Idea Jalsa-Music for the Soul’ at Jammu on Friday.](http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/page1217-300x169.jpg)
JAMMU, Mar 27: Punjabi folk singer Master Saleem and young santoor virtuoso Abhay Rustum Sopori enthralled Jammuites during Idea Jalsa-Music for the Soul here today.
‘Idea Jalsa-Music for the Soul’ is back with a new season, offering a wide variety of Indian music presenting over 20 genres of Indian Music, featuring more than 150 performing artistes across its 12 city concert tour.
Idea Jalsa has always provided music lovers worldwide, with high quality Music performances across diverse genres and has also formally entered the Limca Book of Records 2014 for being the ‘Largest Platform for Indian Music’ featuring the largest number of artistes across the most genres of Music. In its successful ninth year, this unique property reached Jammu with beguiling performances by Abhay Rustum Sopori and Master Saleem.
While commenting, Durga Jasraj, Founder and Director, Art and Artistes said, “Idea Jalsa is a journey which goes beyond the proverbial “Dream come True”, it’s a “Blessing”. Its entry into the Limca Books of Records for being the largest platform for Indian Music is an acknowledgement of the phenomenal journey it has taken along with Idea Cellular. Today, Idea Jalsa is truly a celebration of Music for the Soul. We are sincerely grateful to audiences across the world, our performing artistes and Idea Cellular for this.”
On the success of the event, Abhay Rustum Sopori said, “Idea Jalsa over the past years has been doing various concerts across India and this is the first time ever it has travelled to Jammu and Kashmir which is a huge accomplishment. This is something that I personally wanted as Idea Jalsa is a platform which depicts the true meaning of Indian Art and Culture through music and also has that welcoming spirit which will give a good boost to the young and upcoming musicians in J&K. This was my first recital at Idea Jalsa and I am very happy that I embarked this journey from my very own state. I was delighted to see so many people at the event who welcomed Idea Jalsa and me with the same spirit and warmth as always.”
Sudhir Pradhan, Chief Operating Officer, Punjab, J&K and Himachal Pradesh said, “Idea Cellular has always considered music to be one of the important avenues to connect with our customers across the country. Idea Jalsa is one such platform which brings together legends, maestros, stars, and rising stars from the Indian music fraternity, to present a rich & diverse showcase of Indian culture for all music enthusiasts across the country and champion Hindustani classical music. We are happy to bring these unique performers and musicians to Jammu and hopeful that our customers enjoyed this celebration of music.”