SaMaPa awards 2024 announced

Srinagar, Nov 15: Pt Abhay Sopori announced the names of the prestigious SaMaPa awardees.

Nityanand Haldipur, Shashi Vyas, Kamalini Dutt, Harish Tiwari and Bashir Aarif are amongst the awardees of SaMaPa.

The leading cultural organisation and music academy of India has announced the names of the recipients of this year’s prestigious SaMaPa awards, the exclusive national level awards pertaining to J&K.

The announcement was made by Pandit Abhay Rustum Sopori, the internationally acclaimed Santoor maestro and music composer, and the General Secretary of SaMaPa (Sopori Academy of Music And Performing Arts).

Pandit Abhay Sopori revealed that the award will be presented during the 20th Annual SaMaPa Sangeet Sammelan, the top most classical music festival of Delhi NCR and one of the most prestigious music festivals of the country on 22nd, 23rd and 24th of November at Kamani auditorium, New Delhi.

The award committee included well-known educationist Prof Aparna Sopori, Chairperson SaMaPa, eminent musicologist, critic and writer Pandit Vijay Shankar Mishra, Vice President SaMaPa, well-known writer Dr Rafeeq Masoodi, Director SaMaPa, senior music critics Pt Ravindra Misra and Pt Arun Chatterjee, and other members including Pandit Abhay Rustum Sopori.

SaMaPa awards are prestigious national level awards given every year to legendary and upcoming musicians and individuals who have contributed towards art and culture of India especially music.

SaMaPa is a cultural movement, which has translated from a deep-rooted vision of the founding Chairman, the great music legend late Pandit Bhajan Sopori, the saint of Santoor and king of strings, in creating a unique, unbiased and empowering national level platform for presentation, propagation, and teaching of traditional music and performing arts for the artists and the young talents.

Pandit Samsar Chand Sopori “Kala Vardhan” Samman 2024 is being conferred upon Shashi Vyas, Pancham Nishad (Mumbai) for the unparalleled contribution to the field of art and culture.

Named in honour of the revered saint and master musician of Jammu and Kashmir, Pandit Samsar Chand Sopori, grandfather of Pt Bhajan Sopori, this award celebrates his timeless influence and the enduring impact of his artistic vision on future generations.

Pandit Shamboo Nath Sopori “Sangeet Tejasvi” Samman 2024 is being conferred upon Pandit Harish Tiwari (Delhi) for his achievements and contribution to Hindustani classical music (vocal).

The award is named after the great master musician Pt Shamboo Nath Sopori, revered as the “father of classical music” in Jammu and Kashmir, a legend who created hundreds of musical icons. This award embodies his lifelong mission of dedication to music and serves to recognise future legends of India.

SaMaPa Vitasta Samman 2024 is being conferred upon the veteran flute maestro Pandit Nityanand Haldipur (Mumbai) for his lifelong contribution to Hindustani classical music (Instrumental-Flute).

SaMaPa SaMaPa Nund Rishi Samman 2024 is being conferred upon Bashir Aarif (Jammu & Kashmir) for his immense contribution to the field of Kashmiri literature as a poet and writer.

SaMaPa Acharya Abhinavgupt Samman 2024 is being conferred upon Alok Paradkar (Lucknow) for his immense contribution to the field of art and culture as an art critic and journalist.

SaMaPa Yuva Ratan Samman 2024 is being conferred upon “Mohan Brothers”, Lakshay Mohan and Aayush Mohan (Delhi) in recognition of their conspicuous talent and achievements in the field of Hindustani Classical Music (Instrumental– Sitar and Sarod).

SaMaPa Award of Excellence 2024 is being conferred upon Kamalini Nagarajan Dutt, the veteran television director, archivist, scholar and dance guru for her immense contribution to Indian art and culture.