Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 14: Music legend, Padmashree Pandit Bhajan Sopori and young music maestro, Abhay Rustum Sopori were today conferred with Pride of India awards by NRI Institute in New Delhi.
The awards were presented to various personalities having contributed to India enormously in their respective fields. NRI Pride of India Award were constituted to be conferred on peoples of Indian Origin living in India and abroad for their outstanding achievements in the chosen field of activities for contribution to the socio-economic development of India.
The awards are presented to individuals who have surpassed exceptional standards with selfless service and deep understanding of community’s need.
Pandit Bhajan Sopori was honoured with Pride of India Lifetime Achievement Award The citation presented to Pt Bhajan Sopori reads “The great Santoor legend and music composer Pandit Bhajan Sopori is a complete institution in him. Regarded as the cultural bridge between J&K State and the rest of the country, he is hailed as the ‘Saint of the Santoor’ and the ‘King of Strings’. Representing the fabled 300 year old Sufiana Gharana of Kashmir, 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.……”.
Pride of India Award was also conferred upon the young music maestro Abhay Rustum Sopori. The citation reads “Versatile is one word that describes Abhay Rustum Sopori, for he is the youngest Santoor maestro, youngest classical musician to compose and conduct orchestras and folk & Sufi ensembles, and has also been the youngest recipient of all the awards that he has received including the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi’s first Ustad Bismillah Khan Puraskar, J&K State Award (highest Civilian Award of Jammu & Kashmir) and Bharat Shiromani Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution and achievements in music”..
The awards were presented by NRI Institute’s Secretary General, Manu Jagmohan Singh, Hatem Tageldin, Ambassador of Egypt and others.
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