Wonderful presentation of 'Folk Music Ensemble'... Composed & conducted by Santoor Maestro & Music Composer Abhay Rustum SoporiRenowned Santoor maestro and music composer Abhay Rustum Sopori has been acclaimed both nationally and internationally. He is the country's youngest artist who has established his versatility in the domain of music both as a Santoor maestro & composer. His constant efforts to and experiments has enhanced the canvas of Indian music in the country and abroad.
Recently as part of the 'Jammu & Kashmir Festival' at Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts at Janpath, New Delhi a "Folk Music Ensemble" was conducted and composed by Abhay Rustum Sopori as the concluding presentation of the festival. Though it was not a new experiment by Abhay, but it was an extremely rare presentation. "Folk Music Ensemble", a rare presentation in the music world, was introduced by Santoor Legend & Music Composer Pt. Bhajan Sopori in early 1970's after he came from USA where he did his Graduate Study programme in the Western Music Composition. The concept behind Folk Ensemble was to revive, preserve and promote folk musical culture, popularizing instruments and folk melodies. All over the world Folk musical instruments and melodies are getting extinguished because of increasing demand for the computerized and commercialized music. The efforts of both father and son duo have been to revive these instrument and groom the musicians and this genre. Since Instrumental music finds more appreciation, this concept therefore helps to take Folk music and melodies to the masses.
Abhay Rustum Sopori happens to be the youngest ever classical musician to compose and conduct such Orchestras & Ensembles. The presentation had around 40 musicians playing various instruments like Rabab, Kashmiri Sarangi, Tumbaknari, Daher, Matka, Laddakhi Drums, Sur Santoor, Tabla, Percussions, Synthesizer, Guitars, Tenor, Mandolin, Violin, Flute and Santoor etc. It was a presentation which left the audience mesmerized. This was for the very first time that a folk music ensemble was organized on such a grand scale which demonstrated the dimensions of these instruments.
Abhay started his first piece titled 'Ecstasy' with scintillating rhythmic patterns on Tumbaknari, Matka and Ladhaki Drums. The Santoor based piece was led by Abhay on his Santoor. It was amazing and unforgettable to see the audience grooving to his tunes. Abhay received a standing ovation for his presentation. The ensemble was titled as "Haft Rang" which means 'Seven Colors'. As there are seven musical notes and seven Chakras, the number seven also has significance in the Kashmiri Sufism.
On this memorable evening Governor of J&K Sh. N.N. Vohra was the Chief Guest, while Pt. Bhajan Sopori, Aparna Sopori, Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, Smt. Shameem Azad, Smt. Shanno Khurana (vocalist), Smt. Padma Sachdev (writer), Sh. Zaffar Iqbal Manhas (Secretary J&K Academy of Art Culture & Languages) and Dr. K.K Chakravarty (Member Secretary IGNCA), Sh. Triloke Kaul (Painter), Prof. G.L. Badam (Director Kashmir Chapter IGNCA), Sh. Rajesh Kaul (Director, Media Centre), and various other Film Directors and artists were amongst other guests present. They all enjoyed this unique and rare presentation by Abhay Sopori. On this occasion Pandit Bhajan Sopori said that the traditional folk music & instruments are getting rare and they need special attention and promotion.
In today's world of commercialization very few people are adopting folk music styles as their profession because of lack of patronage. Both father and son have taken a vow to bring forth such neglected musicians and their art to preserve the cultural heritage taking it to the national & international level. This programme is a major step in this direction and such series will follow in the coming times.
