The 10th Edition of Harmony India Awards Honours Cultural and Social Icons of Jammu & Kashmir
A Celebration of Art, Culture, and Community Service; Music, Nostalgia, and Recognition witnessed at Harmony India Awards Ceremony
Jammu, November 16, 2024: The Harmony Cultural Foundation hosted the much-anticipated 10th edition of the Harmony India Awards, commemorating a decade of excellence in honouring cultural icons, young talents, and community leaders. Held over two days on November 15-16, 2024, the event featured immersive performances, nostalgic tributes, and a workshop on traditional music, with the support of the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages.
The celebration kicked off at the Writers Club, Jammu, with a Music Workshop on Indian classical music and Kashmiri folk instruments, conducted by Saurabh Zadoo. The session featured notable artists like Suraj Singh and Munir Ahmed Mir, alongside accomplished accompanists who demonstrated the rich heritage of Kashmir’s traditional instruments.
On the second day at Abhinav Theatre, Jammu, the Yuva Suron Ki Goonj initiative showcased young talents in J&K, including debut performances by Harshita Pandita presenting Ghazal by Bashir Badr, Aarna Ambardar presenting Indian Classical Dance, and Netra Tikoo presented a Kashmiri Sufiyana composition-based song.
The Harmonies Choir of J&K, conducted by Saurabh Zadoo, captivated the audience with his folk-inspired compositions. A special highlight was the soulful Kashmiri Light Music performance by the duo of Munir Ahmed Mir and Saurabh Zadoo, who reflected on the essence of Sufiyana and light music traditions in Kashmir.
A deeply emotional moment followed with the release of Zadoo’s new composition, Khodaya Pron Hu Kashmir Kot Gav, a song written by Peer Zahoor, evoking nostalgic memories of Kashmir, which resonated with the audience.
The program concluded with the National Anthem and a grand Harmony India Awards Ceremony, presided over by Arvind Karwani (Relief Commissioner), Kuldeep Khoda (Ex-DGP), Prof. Sudhir Sopory (Ex-VC JNU), Sanjeev Rana (ADG JKAACL), Kiran Wattal (Ex-Municipal Commissioner), Dr. Sameer Kaul, Javed Rahi.
This year’s honourees included eminent personalities across various fields who have made remarkable contributions to Jammu & Kashmir’s cultural and social landscape: Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Sh. Triloke Koul (Fine Arts) and Sh. Makhan Lal Saraf (Theatre and Acting).
The Harmony India Mata Lalleshwari Lalded Samman was awarded to Prof. Sudhir K Sopory (Education & Science), while the Pt. Bhajan Sopori Smriti Samman recognized the Saaz Nawaz Group (Kashmiri Sufiyana Music).
Other honourees included Dr. Samita Bhat (Medicine and Public Healthcare) and Shrestha Samman awardees Sh. Prem Nath Shad (Kashmiri Poetry), Sh. Yogendra Tiku (Acting), Sh. Avtar Mota (Poetry and Writing), and Sh. Suraj Singh (Light Music). The National Icon Award was conferred upon Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar (Sports), while the State Icon Award was conferred upon Sh. Neeraj Bakshi and Sh. Suman Gupta (Fine Arts), Sh. Ramesh Maratha (Radio & Broadcasting), Ms. Jasleen Kours (Entrepreneurship), Sh. Ashwani Kumar, Sh. Sameer Bhat (Journalism). The Community Icon Award honoured Sanjay Dhar (Sharika Foundation) for his contributions to social service, and the Yuva Puraskar (Youth Award) celebrated young achievers Ifra Kak (Theatre) and Sheena Saraf (Sports).
The awardees expressed heartfelt appreciation for the Harmony Cultural Foundation, acknowledging that such programs connect them to their roots and cultural heritage. They praised the foundation’s commitment to preserving Jammu & Kashmir’s legacy and fostering unity through artistic and cultural expression.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Saurabh Zadoo, musician and founder of the Harmony Cultural Foundation, stated, “The 10th Harmony India Awards have been a celebration of creativity,
originality, and the vibrant spirit of Jammu & Kashmir. Our focus remains on encouraging fresh talent and showcasing new compositions that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Through initiatives like Yuva Suron Ki Goonj, we aim to inspire the youth to carry forward our cultural legacy with pride and passion.”
Through these awards, the Harmony Cultural Foundation continues to champion the arts, culture, and talent of Jammu & Kashmir, creating a vibrant platform for cultural exchange and community empowerment. The 10th Harmony India Awards stand as a beacon of resilience, creativity, and cultural pride for Jammu & Kashmir and beyond.
