Music Legend Pt. Bhajan Sopori remembered

New Delhi, October 12, 2022: Parichay foundation, the well known foundation known for its social projects, which had helped countless women in getting economic and social upliftment, celebrated the 8th edition of its prestigious Parampara Awards 2022 on the occasion of Kumari Purnima in New Delhi held at the Constitution Club, New Delhi honouring 15 eminent personalities from different walks of life. The lamp lighting ceremony was done by Sh. Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh International, Dr. P. K. Patasani, former Member Parliament, Pt. Abhay Rustum Sopori, Santoor Maestro & Music Composer, Kathak Exponent Smt. Shovna Narayan, Ms. Sharon Lowen, Odissi Exponent, Sh. Priyadarshi Mishra, former MLA, Sh. Amarendra Khatua, Retd. IAS, Sh. Mukul Verma, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India, Sh. Manish Chaudhury, founder of Respect India foundation and Dr. Rosalin Patasani Mishra, founder of Parichay foundation. The function was also graced by the Chinese Consular General H.E. Sh. Zha Liyou and Dr. Nisha Kohli from Singapore.

The function had a special prayer meeting in the memory of Late Pandit Bhajan Sopori ji, the great music legend of India hailed as the ‘Saint of Santoor’ and the ‘king of Strings’. A Two-minute silence was observed in the memory of the legendary Santoor Maestro & Music Composer, and was posthumously honoured by the Parichay foundation for his lifetime contribution to the field of music. The honour was received by Pandit ji’s elder son Sh. Sohrab Sopori.

On this occasion internationally acclaimed music maestro Pt. Abhay Rustum Sopori was awarded the 8^th Parampara Award presented by Hon’ble Dr. P. K. Patasani, H.E. Sh. Zha Liyou and Dr. Rosalin Patasani Mishra. Abhay Sopori thanked Parichay foundation for acknowledging his work and contribution.

Parichay foundation in its citation said maestro Abhay Sopori represents the 300 years old traditional Santoor family of the country and the age old Shaivite-Sufi Parampara of ‘Sopori Sufiana Gharana of Kashmir’. Grandson of Pandit Shamboo Nath Sopori, the great master musician hailed as the ‘Father of Music’ in Jammu and Kashmir, and son of Pandit Bhajan Sopori, Abhay has been propagating and promoting Indian culture globally. He has the credit for creating a Cultural Revolution in Jammu and Kashmir bringing the youth together through music. His efforts and initiatives have been path breaking creating a new generation of music connoisseurs and bringing more recognition to the art and culture of the country. Abhay has not only established himself as a preeminent musician of the present generation but simultaneously promoted thousands of upcoming and talented musicians of the country.

Dr. Rosalin, an eminent philanthropist and Gandhian, spoke about the importance of recognizing people who are tirelessly working for the society and Parampara Awards was in appreciation and honour of such personalities. The function also featured a mesmerizing dance performance by Saswat Joshi as a tribute to Paika Warrior, our freedom fighter, a historical event that took place in Odisha for the Independence of the Country. Kumar Purnima Celebration by Parineeti Team presented a theme ethnic walk show to promote the rich culture of Odisha Handloom & textile. Other awardees included Sh. Krishan Kumar Gupta, Sh. A.N. Verma, Dr. Pravas Chandra Acharya, Ms. Gargi Seth, Dr. Urvi Agarwal, Dr. Subhash Yashwant Dalvi, Ms. Girija Pattanaik, Sh. Debasish Mukherjee, Dr. Nisha Kohli, Ms. Sunada Rao, Sh. Snehasis Das, Dr. Bhusan Balasaheb Jadhav, Sh. Gaurav Gupta, Sh. Inder Kumar Goel and Ms. Anantinee Mishra.