Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 20: Rich tributes were paid, in a memorable programme organised at K.L.Sehgal Hall here today, to music legend Pandit Shamboo Nath Sopori who passed away recently.
Pandit Shamboo Nath Sopori, who was known as Master Ji by his disciples and admirers, sowed the seeds of Hindustani Classical Music in the State. Pandit Sopori was a musician with phenomenal energy, artistic qualities, devotion, dedication and perfection. A legendary name in the musical world of Jammu and Kashmir, he was Guru of thousands of students and Hindustani classical music grew with him in Kashmir Valley.
A large number of professionals, music performers and teachers are among his disciples. ‘Melody Queens’ of Kashmir Shamima Dev Azad and Kailash Mehra were his disciples. His disciples also included Prof. Jai Kishori Kaul, O.N.Raina, Prof. Usha Bagati, Prof. Hawa Bashir, Prof. Rifat Jabeen, Prof. B.L.Koul, Prof. Nancy Dhar, Prof. Renu Sehgal, Late Mohd. Ashraf, Dr. Rajkumari Magazine, Rita Kaul, Prof. Sunaina Kaul, Jawahar Kaul and Neerja Pandit. Even the Late Maharani Yasho Rajya Lakshmi of the royal family of J & K State was Pandit ji’s disciple.
Besides, his son Pandit Bhajan Sopori and grandson Abhay Rustum Sopori are among the top notch musicians of the country and have taken the musical genius of their Guru to new heights.
Speaking on the occasion well known singer Kailash Mehra recalled the qualities of head and heart of her guru and said that his devotion to music was exemplary and that he took keen interest in the development of his disciples. Veteran Tabla player K.L.Verma narrated his personal experience about the teaching methodology of Pandit Ji and spoke about his immense knowledge about Hindustani classical music. Dr. Usha Bagati read a paper about the life and contribution of her Guru Pandit Sopori.
Well known columnist and cultural activist Ravinder Kaul presented a detailed paper on the life and contribution of Pandit Shamboo Nath Sopori. Renowned sculptor Padamshree Rajendra Tikku also fondly recalled his association with Pandit ji and said that his devotion to music was all encompassing and infectious. Arvinder Aman, Additional Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages also spoke on the occasion and said that other fields of art and literature need to inculcate the discipline to guru-shishya parampara in order to ensure propagation and spread of creative pursuits. Bhavya Kaul, a young student and daughter of Master Ji’s disciple Prof. B.L.Kaul read out the feelings of her father who could not attend the programme.
Prof. Aparna Sopori, daughter-in-law of Pandit Shamboo Nath Sopori and wife of Santoor maestro Pandit Bhajan Sopori, had specially come to Jammu to attend this programme. She spoke about her personal association with the departed legend and his humility and affectionate nature.
Sunaina Kaul, D.L.Kaswalia and Brij Mohan also spoke on the occasion.V.K.Sambyal, Station Director, Radio Kashmir, Jammu, also attended the programme.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel