Srinagar: The Art and Culture Club in collaboration with Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Amongst Youth (SPIC MACAY) Thursday organized a Santoor concert at National Institute of Technology (NIT), Srinagar.
The program was organized in memory of Santoor maestro Pandit Bhajan Sopori and Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma who passed away on May 10 and June 02 respectively this year.
The event was presided by In-Charge Director NIT Srinagar Prof. M A Ahanger and was coordinated by Dr. Nasir F. Butt, Coordinator of the Art and Culture Club, NIT Srinagar.
On the occasion, Prof. Ahanger appreciated the organizers for holding such events. Such initiatives are aimed to provide a stress-free atmosphere on the campus, he said.
Prof. Ahanger paid rich tributes to both artists and stated that they had given recognition to Santoor at a global level.
“Both of them took “Santoor” from a simple four-stringed folk instrument to its modified and modern 100-stringed magic instrument at the international level,” he said.
In his special message, Registrar NIT Srinagar, Prof. Syed Kaiser Bukhari said Santoor has a historic connection with Kashmir and it will continue to inspire young artists in the region.
Prof. Bukhari also paid rich tributes to Pandit Bhajan Sopori, popularly known as the “Saint of the Santoor” and Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma.
“They were the sons of the soil. Both are considered as pioneers in establishing the santoor on national and international platforms as a complete solo instrument,” he said.