New Delhi: The third edition of World Santoor Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm at the Chinmaya Auditorium in New Delhi, bringing together music lovers, distinguished personalities, senior maestros and emerging artists to honour the rich legacy of the Santoor and its enduring place in Indian classical music.
Organised by the SaMaPa (Sopori Academy of Music and Performing Arts), the annual event marked the birth anniversary of the legendary Santoor maestro late Pandit Bhajan Sopori, revered as the “Saint of Santoor” and the “King of Strings.” The celebration paid tribute to his immense contribution to the preservation and promotion of the Santoor and the centuries-old Sufiana musical traditions of Kashmir.
The Santoor, often described as the ancient Shatatantri Veena of Kashmir, has long been associated with melody, meditation and storytelling. Rooted in the legacy of the Sopori Sufiana Gharana, the instrument has evolved from the valleys of Kashmir to international concert stages, inspiring generations of musicians.
World Santoor Day, observed annually on June 22, was first announced in 2024 by members of the artistic fraternity along with renowned cultural figures and organisations across India. Since then, it has emerged as a significant occasion celebrating the heritage and future of the Indian Santoor.
Speaking on the occasion, Pandit (Dr.) Abhay Rustum Sopori said that World Santoor Day is a tribute to an instrument deeply connected with India’s cultural and musical identity. He recalled the lifelong dedication of his father and guru, Pandit Bhajan Sopori, to preserving the sanctity of the Santoor, promoting Kashmir’s Sufiana tradition and making classical music accessible to wider audiences.
“His mission extended beyond performance. He believed in fostering values, dialogue and human connection through music, and the Santoor became a powerful medium for that purpose,” he said.
The festival featured a series of captivating performances by established and young Santoor artists. Rising talent Divyansh Srivastava, accompanied by Khurram Ali Niazi on Tabla and Varun Rajasekharan on Ghatam, presented Raga Jhinjhoti in the traditional Sopori Baaj style. Pandit Sandip Chatterjee, accompanied by Pandit Durjay Bhaumik on Tabla, performed Raga Kaushik Dhwani, while maestro Pandit Abhay Rustum Sopori, joined by Ustad Akram Khan on Tabla and Pandit Vishwambhar Nath Mishra on Pakhawaj, enthralled the audience with a rendition of Raga Malkauns reflecting the essence of the Sopori Sufiana Gharana.
The event was compered by noted television personality Sadhna Shrivastav.
In addition to the Delhi celebrations, special World Santoor Day sessions were organised in several countries, including Argentina, China, Germany and the United States, as well as in different parts of India, reflecting the growing global appeal of the instrument.
Several Santoor artists from different generations were felicitated during the programme, including Pandit Dishari Chakraborty, Raj Kumar Majumdar, Divyansh Srivastava, Anoushka Majumdar, Poushali Dutta, Dheeraj Vaishnav, Luis Vega and Pradeep Sharma, among others.
Highlighting the significance of the event, Prof. Aparna Sopori said that the participation of both veteran maestros and young performers demonstrates the continuity and evolution of the Santoor tradition. She noted that despite rapid technological changes, music continues to offer reflection, balance and human connection, while the growing involvement of young musicians confirms the instrument’s lasting relevance.
Observed a day after World Music Day, the occasion also served as a remembrance of Pandit Bhajan Sopori’s extraordinary legacy. Widely credited with developing the distinctive Sopori Baaj style of Santoor playing, he played a pivotal role in preserving Indian classical music and Kashmir’s Sufiana heritage, while inspiring generations of musicians across the world.
The celebration concluded with a renewed commitment to preserving and promoting the Santoor, ensuring that its timeless melodies continue to resonate across generations and borders.