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Abhay Rustum Sopori „Santoor Maestro, Music Composer & Conductor‟
Versatile is one word that describes Abhay Rustum Sopori, for he is the youngest
Santoor maestro, youngest classical musician to compose and conduct orchestras and
folk & Sufi ensembles, and has also been the youngest recipient of all the awards that
he has received including the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi‟s first „Ustad
Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar‟, 2006 and „J&K State Award‟ (the highest Civilian Award
of the State of Jammu & Kashmir, 2011) in recognition of his outstanding contribution
and achievements in the field of music. He has also been honoured with the prestigious
„Sabzaar Award of Excellence‟, 2013, „Kashmir Kirti Samman‟, 2012, KECSS Award‟, 2011,
„Glory of India Award‟, 2010, „Best Citizens of India Award‟, 2010, „Sangeet Shree
Award‟, 2010, „Bharat Shiromani Award‟, 2009, „Ma Sharika Samman‟, 2009, „National
Dogri Award‟, 2008, „Sangeet Bhushan Award‟, 2007, „Excellence Award‟, 2007, „Young
India Award‟, 2006, „Juenjo Korean International Heritage Award‟, 2005, „Kalawant
Samman‟, 2004, etc. Abhay‟s name also features in various Biographical-note Volumes
like Reguerson Inc.‟s “Famous India‟s Who‟s Who” and Rifacimento International‟s “Asia
Pacific Who‟s Who” and “Asian Admirable Achievers”.
Abhay has had the honour of being the only contemporary composer of India whose
composition “Haftrang”, as a tribute to Kashmir, has been conducted by the legendary
music maestro Mr. Zubin Mehta before his presentations of classic legends like
Beethoven, Haydn and Tchaikovsky giving international recognition to the music of
Kashmir creating history in the world music. The composition was performed by the
Bavarian State Orchestra, one of the top most and the biggest orchestra of the world,
together with Abhay‟s Kashmiri ensemble. Abhay also had the honour to share the stage
and conduct along with the legendary Mr. Zubin Mehta.
Abhay has participated in various prestigious festivals across the world and has more
than 35 notable albums and releases to his credit. EMI, the world‟s leading music label,
has released various albums with him which include Dancing Dewdrops (India), The
Urban Grooves – Kashmir (India), Tum Jo Mile (India), Voyage au coeur de l'Inde -
Journey to the heart of India (France), etc. He also has the credit of releasing the
first International albums of J&K like Aalav, Shehjaar, Runjhun, etc.
Abhay has composed music for the International Award winning film „Ziyarat‟
(California, USA), National Award winning film „BUB‟ and „Mahatma‟, a film by
Government of India on Mahatma Gandhi, presented at the „United Nations‟ marking the
first International Non-violence Day. He also composed the song “Aao Kadam Badhayain” for raising relief funds for the Kashmir earthquake victims. The song featured some of
the most renowned and legendary classical musicians of India and went on to become the
greatest musical hit of Jammu and Kashmir. He has also served as the youngest Visiting
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Faculty at the University of Massachusetts (Amherst, USA). Abhay also happens to be
the first Indian Classical musician to be invited at the prestigious International
conference TEDx.
A graduate in Management and Computers with Masters in Music, Abhay was born in
Srinagar and inherited a profound sense of music from his fabled Sufiana Gharana of
Kashmir – the exclusive traditional Santoor family – with its roots spanning over nine
generations over more than 300 years. Abhay learnt music under the traditional Guru-Shishya Parampara from his grandfather Pandit Shamboo Nath Sopori, hailed as the
„Father of Music‟ in Jammu and Kashmir, and from his father Pandit Bhajan Sopori, the
legendary Santoor maestro and music composer.
A gifted and prodigious musician, Abhay continues to innovate and experiment with the
Santoor further extending its dimension. In keeping with his lineage he has established
the concept of „Gayan-Vadan Baaj‟ in the Indian classical system and introduced the
„Open String Concept‟ on the Santoor together with the „Enhanced Sustain Technique‟. He has also invented, designed and introduced a new 30-stringed instrument „Sur
Santoor‟. Abhay has revived the old Sufiana Tarana compositions of his predecessors
and adopted them in the Indian Classical scenario and also composed and introduced new
Khayal compositions based on Sufi Saints of Kashmir. He has also composed and
introduced a new Raga named „Nirmalkaunce‟.
Some of hallmarks of Abhay's performances are mellifluous playing, lightning tempo,
clarity and accuracy of Raga exposition and adoption of the Sopori Baaj (style) the
unique format of Santoor playing created by Pandit Bhajan Sopori. The Sopori Baaj incorporates the essential technical nuances of both the Gayaki (vocal) and Tantrakari (instrumental) Angs (aspects) such as „Meend‟, „Gamak‟, „Glides‟, „Taan‟, „Bol‟, „Chhand‟ and „Laya‟ patterns, which are absolutely essential for the correct rendering of Raga-Sangeet in the true Indian Classical tradition. Performing with the accompaniment of
the Pakhawaj is also a special characteristic of his Baaj. Another remarkable and unique
quality of his presentation is that he sings the composition along with its instrumental
rendering reviving the traditional Santoor playing.
Abhay has carried forward the great legacy of his family in propagating and promoting
the Indian culture globally. He has the credit for creating a Cultural Revolution in the
Jammu and Kashmir State bringing the youth together through music. His efforts and
initiatives have been path-breaking creating a new generation of music connoisseurs and
bringing more recognition to the art and culture of the country. He has not only
established himself as one of the most prominent musicians of the present generation
but simultaneously promoted numerous upcoming and talented musicians of the country.
Res: 21/79, Lodhi Colony, New Delhi -110003 Tele-Fax: +91. 11. 24625652
Email: [email protected] Mobile: +91. 9811622055
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Abhay with the legendary music maestro Mr. Zubin Mehta
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Some of the Music Albums / Releases of Abhay Rustum Sopori
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Some of the Awards bestowed upon Abhay Rustum Sopori
J&K State Award 2011(The Highest Civilian Award of Jammu & Kashmir State)
Abhay being honoured by H.E. Governor of J&K Sh. N.N. Vohra, Honb. Chief Minister
Sh. Omar Abdullah and Honb. Dy. Chief Minister Sh. Tara Chand
KECSS Award 2011
Abhay being honoured by Honb. Chief Minister of Delhi Smt. Sheila Dikshit
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Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (Ust. Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, 2006)
Abhay being honoured by Sh. Ram Niwas Mirdha, Chairman SNA
Bharat Shiromani Award 2008 – 2009
Abhay being honoured by H.E Shri M.S Bhandare, Governor of Orissa
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Maa Sharika Samman 2009 National Dogri Award, 2008
Abhay being honoured by Prof. M.L. Madan, Abhay being honoured by H.E. Lt. Gen. S.K.Sinha
VC – Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya University Governor Jammu and Kashmir
Sangeet Bhushan Award, 2007 Kalawant Samman, 2004
Abhay Being honoured by Ust. Ghulam Saddiq Khan Abhay Being honoured by Ust. Abdul Halim Jaffer Khan
Youngs India Award, 2006 Excellence Award, 2007 Abhay being honoured by (New Delhi)
Prof. A. Mattoo, VC Jammu University
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Kashmir Kirti Samman 2012 (Pune)
Smt. Sheila Dikshit, Hon’ble Chief Minister
of Delhi felicitating Abhay Rustum Sopori
Smt. Sonia Gandhi &
Sh. Rahul Gandhi,
Hon’ble Members of Parliament
felicitating Pt. Bhajan Sopori &
Abhay Rustum Sopori
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Some Selected Press Review
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Some of the major concerts and presentations of Abhay Rustum Sopori
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Abhay Sopori conducting & presenting the J&K Folk music Ensemble
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Abhay Rustum Sopori conducting & presenting the ‘Sufi Kinship’,
the first ever Sufi ensemble of the world
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Abhay Rustum Sopori presenting Santoor recital at the far flung areas and
remote corners of the country including border areas, Jail, etc. propagating the
cultural heritage of the country to Lakhs of people
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Abhay conducting the J&K Folk Music Ensemble with around 50 musicians in Delhi
Abhay conducting the J&K Folk Music
Ensemble with around 50 musicians
H.E Governor J&K Sh. N.N. Vohra, Hon’ble
Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Pt. Bhajan Sopori
enjoying Abhay Sopori’s Santoor recital
H.E Governor J&K Sh. N.N.. Vohra
felicitating Abhay Sopori after the concert
Hon’ble Sh. Rahul Gandhi greeting Abhay
after his presentation