NEW DELHI : Kashmiri folk and sufi music dominated a concert led by santoor players Pandit Bhajan Sopori and son Abhay Sopori to raise funds for those affected in floods of Jammu and Kashmir.
Organised by German Ambassador Michael Steiner on the lawns of his residence here, the concert late last evening evoked sublime melodies with typical Kashmiri instruments like Tumbaknaer, clay pot (matka), banjo and tabla among others. Sufi singer Ragini Rainu also gave a special performance.
“The purpose of this ‘Ehsas-e-Kashmir’ concert is to show our solidarity with the people of Kashmir,” said Steiner, who along with his wife Eliese felicitated the concert.
“The events in Kashmir are heartbreaking. These are worst floods since 1904. The situation there is still difficult and it is not over because the water is receding. In many respects, it will become worse, it will become cold and there is risk of water-borne diseases,” he said.
Efforts by the German ambassador has so far mobilised a total of Rs 75 lakhs and Steiner said he has set himself “a goal of Rs 1 crore.”
“I have set myself a target of Rs 1 crore for Kashmiris. Of course, Kashmir and Kashmiris need much more. It is a devastating situation. It is only a gesture we are talking about but a gesture coming from the heart,” he said.
The funds thus collected, he said, would go towards supplying food rations, chlorine tablets, cooking utilites, syringes and warm clothing for the flood victims.
The supplies would be transported to Kashmir in three trucks, the first of which was flagged off by him yesterday.
“Of course, Kashmir and Kashmiris need much more. It is a devastating situation. It is only a gesture we are talking about but a gesture coming from the heart,” he said.
Meanwhile, Abhay Sopori said the idea of a concert originated after a conversation with Steiner and his wife.
“I called him up and in between the conversation asked him can we do something. He didn’t hesitate,” said the junior Sopori who had also participated in a concert at the Shalimar Bagh in Srinagar by legendary music maestro Zubin Mehta and his Bavarian music orchestra organised by the German Embassy in September last year.
Mehta had conducted “Haftrang” which Abhay had composed as a tribute to Kashmir.
“We had never heard of floods in Kashmir and the water levels rising to 30 or 40 feet high. The enormous levels of water coming up to the second floor is unusual. We had heard about the floods in 1901 but this was unexpected,” Abhay said.
Abhay said he would hold two more concerts in the city for the flood victims on October 1 with young musicians and another one on October 27 with a clutch of senior musicians. He said he also plans to go to places like Mumbai.
“I want the music community to come together. Kashmiris should know that apart from money people are also concerned about them,” the musician told.
Meanwhile, the German Ambassador said he and his wife have a “crush on Kashmir” and their efforts for the state would go beyond the immediate relief efforts.
“We believe in Kashmiris and despite the current sufferings we have to think of the future also about Kashmir’s identity,” Steiner said.
Referring to the September 2013 concert in Srinagar, Steiner said efforts would be taken for the restoration of the Black Pavillion in the city’s Mughal Gardens.
The Mughal-era monument had come under water in the recent floods.
“Salim Baig (INTACH) had yesterday inspected the pavillion and assured us that it has not been affected by the floods. We would be giving an additional Rs 32 lakh to INTACH to restore the pavillion to its historic beauty,” Steiner said. (AGENCIES)
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