An event for music connoisseurs

SaMaPa (Sopori Academy of Music And Performing Arts)is organising 15th Annual edition of its five days long prestigious SaMaPa Sangeet Sammelan, acclaimed as the topmost classical festival of Delhi and one of the most prestigious festivals of the country on November 19 and 20, at India Habitat Centre and November 22 – 24, at Kamani Auditorium. The festival is being presented in collaboration with Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India and IFFCO. The festival will also feature the Annual Painting Exhibition by the artists of J&K presented by SaMaPa and J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages. The prestigious SaMaPa awards, the exclusive national level honours pertaining to Jammu & Kashmir will also be presented on November 22.

The festival is a calendar event of Delhi and attracts connoisseurs of music from various parts of the country and abroad. The festival is featuring around 65 performers and also around 35 young children from different schools of NCR. The painting exhibition by the artists of J&K is expected to feature around 40 painting. SaMaPa Sangeet Sammelan is a gateway for the young musicians with exceptional talent getting their first stage in a prestigious festival along with senior legendary maestros of the country.

This year, again a number of young musicians will be presented and promoted in the festival.

Some of the eminent musicians of Indian classical music including music legend Pandit Bhajan Sopori and maestro Abhay Rustum Sopori (Santoor), Pt. 'Mahant' Vishambhar Nath Mishra (Pakahwaj), Vidushi Malini Awasthi (Vocal), Pt. Kushal Das (Sitar), Guru Nalini-Kamlini (Kathak), to name a few will also perform.

In the awards, 'SaMaPa Vitasta Samman'is will be given to the veteran Vocalist Pandit Ajay Pohankar (Mumbai) for his lifetime contribution to Hindustani Classical music, 'SaMaPa Kala Vardhan Samman' is being conferred to Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra (Delhi) and presented to Shobha Deepak Singh, for contribution to Indian music. The renowned Vocalist Vidushi MaliniAwasthi (Uttar Pradesh) will be presented with 'SaMaPa Nund Rishi Samman' for her remarkable contribution to Indian light classical and folk music. Renowned Tabla maestro Ustad Akram Khan (Delhi) will be awarded with 'SaMaPa Sangeet Tejasvi Samman' for his contribution to Hindustani Classical Music.

Talking about the festival, Santoor Legend Pt Bhajan Sopori said, "We believe in bringing something fresh for music connoisseurs. even this year, there will be many first times like Pt Vishwambhar Nath Mishra (Pakhawaj) will be performing for the first time in Delhi."

SaMaPa's General Secy and Santoor Maestro & Composer, Abhay Rustum Sopori shared "This year the audience will witness some special presentation and rare Ragas and Talas by different performers."

"I'll be presenting a very special Raga and some exclusive compositions of age old Shaivite-Sufi tradition of Kashmir", he added.