Diplomat Correspondent
New Delhi,DD, Pandit Abhay Rustum Sopori, the eminent Santoor Maestro & Music Composer, has been awarded the Sangeet Ratna Award 2025 by the Kirana Gharana Ustad Ashique Ali Khan Art and Music Trust. The function was held at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi.
Pt. Abhay Sopori, the present custodian (Khalifa) of the ancient Santoor tradition of India and the Sopori – Sufiana Gharana of Kashmir, the oldest known tradition of Santoor, the Shatatantri Veena. He carries forward a legacy rooted in Shaivite – Sufi musical tradition of India. He has played a pivotal role in introducing cultural policy in Jammu and Kashmir, and integrating music as a formal subject in academic institutions, fostering a cultural renaissance, and nurturing thousands of budding musicians. His relentless dedication to music, cultural preservation, and philanthropy solidifies his place as a cultural ambassador shaping the future of Indian classical music. He was awarded for his contribution and achievements in the field of music especially Indian Classical Music (Santoor). He expressed his gratitude to the selection committee and Usatd Aslam Ali Khan for honouring him and shared that he felt blessed as his father and Guru, the great Saint Music Legend late Pandit Bhajan Sopori was also honoured with this award around 2 decades back.
The award was also presented to some of the jewels of Indian Classical music like Pt. Rajendra Prasanna & Pt. Chetan Joshi (Flute), Ustad Akram Khan & Pt. Mithilesh Jha (Tabla), Ustad Saeed Zafar (Sitar), Ustad Asghar Hussain & Pt. Santosh Nahar (Violin), Pt. Vijay Shankar Mishra (Musicologist), Vidushi Uma Garg and many others.DD