Recently, in a colourful function organized in Jammu, H.E. the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Lt. Gen (Retd.) S. K. Sinha and Honb. Chief Minister Sh. Ghulam Nabi Azad along with various Ministers, Cabinet & Parliament members, and music lovers got together at Abhinav Theatre to felicitate one of the greatest legends of Indian music Pandit Shamboo Nath Sopori.

The event was organized to honour the Great Master who is hailed as the ‘Father of Music’ in Jammu and Kashmir State. The most loved and respected musician of the State of J&K, Pt. S.N. Sopori, popularly known as ‘Masterji’, is a musician with phenomenal energy, artistic qualities, devotion, dedication and perfection. A living legend, ‘Masterji’ has been the guru of thousands of students and Hindustani classical music grew with him in the Valley. Sitar, Santoor and classical vocal are his forte. Pandit ji has also been the pioneer in putting some of the Sufiana Muqams in the notations to ensure its preservation. It’s due to the pioneering and dedicated efforts of Pandit ji that musicians got a prestigious status in the valley.

A large number of professionals, music performers and teachers are his taught. To name a few: Maharani Yashoraj Laxmiji (of the Royal family), Pt. O. N. Raina, Prof. Jai Kishori Kaul, Prof. Usha Bagati, Prof. Hawa Bashir, Prof. Rifet Jabeen, Dr. Rajkumari Magazine, Sh. Pradhuman Singh Jindrahia, Dr. B.L.Koul, Smt. Kailash Mehra, ‘Melody Queen’ of Kashmir – Padmashri Smt. Shameem Azad, and many others including his son the Santoor Legend & Composer Pandit Bhajan Sopori and his grandson Abhay Rustum Sopori.

Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, the School purely of Indian Classical Music that Pandit ji started in the valley, was the only source of holding Hindustani Classical music and Dance concerts in the valley which featured the recitals of luminaries like Ustad Amir Khan Sahib, Pt. Nikhil Banerjee, Ustad Naseer Aminuddin Khan Dagar, Dr. Parvatikar, Ustad Mushtaq Ali Khan Sahib, Ustad Rahimuddin Khan Dagar, etc.

On this occasion Governor Sinha said that the Indian culture and civilization accorded a very significant place to the teacher-taught relationship which was not existent in other civilizations. He said what the guru had achieved for himself was as important as what he had imparted to his disciples and Pt. S.N. Sopori had achieved this in a remarkable way. He said his disciples, foremost being Padmashri Smt. Shameem Azad, had come up to legendry singers like Malika Pukhraj. He described ‘Masterji’ as a multifaceted personality and a revered figure whose son Pt. Bhajan Sopori and grandson Abhay Rustum, both nationally and internationally acclaimed musicians, were carrying forward his Name and Gharana.

Chief Minister Azad in his speech said that ‘Masterji’ came from a place where music comes naturally in all things including streams and trees. He said he has a special fascination for flowers and trees which produce ample music. Azad said that speakers at the function had paid glowing and well deserved tributes to ’Masterji’ with whom he enjoyed a special relationship. He said the great musician was the teacher of his wife and noted singer Shameem Azad. He referred to Pandit Sopori as “ustadoon kay ustaad”. He said it was a matter of pride that three generations of ‘masterji’s family were actively engaged in the promotion of music. He wished a long life to the noted musician.

On this occasion, Smt. Shobhawati Sopori, wife of Pt. S.N. Sopori ji was also felicitated by the First Lady of the State Smt. Premni Sinha. Many noted disciples of the legendry musician especially Shameem Azad, Pt. O.N. Raina, Pradhuman Singh Jindrahia, and others were also hailed for their contribution to the music.

Earlier, Shameem Azad paying rich tributes to her teacher Pt. Shamboo Nath Sopori described him as a living encyclopedia. She said that he had not only earned his well deserved place in the world of music but also ably transferred his art to his disciples who had themselves reached places of prominence. She said through classical and light classical, his popularity had transcended boundaries of the country. She called Pt. Sopori as a well known personality of the music world, a saintly person and a great human being and said as his disciple she had received abundant affection and love from him.

Noted writer and critic Padmashri Muhammad Yusuf Taing, and poet and broadcaster Farooq Nazki spoke about Pt. Sopori ji eloquently describing his personality and contribution to music. Famous singer, Kailash Mehra read the citation.

Famous Sufi musician Ehsan Bharti and eminent Santoor Maestro & Composer Abhay Rustum Sopori enthralled the audience by their performance.

Other eminent personalities who were present on the occasion included Pt. Bhajan Sopori along with his wife Prof. Aparna Sopori, Sh. Abdul Gani Vakil (Honb. Minister), Sh. Madan Lal Sharma (Honb. Member Parliament), Prof. Amitabh Mattoo (Vice Chancellor, Jammu University), Prof. Riyaz Punjabi (Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University), Sh. Kuldip Khuda (Director General Police), Dr. Rafiq Masoodi (Secretary, Cultural Academy), Sh. Zaffar Iqbal Manhas (Ad. Secretary, Cultural Academy), Sh. Ashok Pandit (Film Director), and various other dignitaries and a large number of music lovers and disciples of the Great Legend.

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