SaMaPa Aalap 2010 commences with soul stirring Santoor recital by Abhay Rustum Sopori

‘SaMaPa Aalap Festival 2010’ started with a soul stirring performance by the eminent Santoor maestro and music composer, Abhay Rustum Sopori who was recently awarded the prestigious Bharat Shiromani Award. The 4th Annual ‘SaMaPa Aalap Festival' is being presented by Sopori Academy of Music And Performing Arts in collaboration with J&K Tourism and J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. The first day of the fortnight long festival featured Santoor recital by Abhay Rustum Sopori held at Jodhamal Public School. Abhay, the youngest Santoor maestro and also the youngest artist from the country to be awarded the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, mesmerized the audience by presenting various nuances of his Sopori Baaj and Sufiana Gharana, the exclusive traditional Santoor family of the country. He presented Raga Basant Mukhari with a brief Aalap, Jod, followed by Gat in madhyalaya Ektaal and Bandish ‘Uthat Jiya Hook’ in drut Teentaal. He concluded his recital with a faster composition in Teentaal. Abhay started his recital by explaining the structure of the Raga and making the students sing with him various melodic structures which helped the students to understand the intricacies of the Raga. Later he also made the students sing with him various Taan patterns and phrases to the accompaniment of Tabla in which coming on the ‘sum’ (first beat) after completing the ‘Tehais’ was exhilarating for the students. Abhay’s presentation marked high technical virtuosity demonstrating various stylistic nuances like Meend, Glides, Gamak, Taan, Laya and Chandh patterns, etc. created by the Santoor legend and composer Pt. Bhajan Sopori. The striking point of Abhay’s performance was his unique style of singing and playing together. His lightning tempo and speedy Taan patterns had an electrifying effect on the audience He was accompanied on Tabla by Sh. Sarit Das, who displayed keen sense of rhythm and clarity of bols. Abhay along with Sarit, presented Jugalbandi with ‘Sawal-Jawab’ and ‘Ladant’ patterns which left the audience spellbound. Abhay received constant appreciation and roaring applause throughout the performance. Later, students expressed their experiences hailing the recital as soul stirring. The programme was attended by various music connoisseurs, students and staff of the school. The festival will now feature recitals at various venues by a number of upcoming and eminent musicians of the State and the country.