Musical ambassadors

[1]

Music is a mission for the illustrious Sopori family. Along with their santoor legend father Pt Bhajan Sopori, brothers Abhay Rustum and Sohrab Sopori have taken up ‘musical activism’ in order to revive the dying folk music and traditional instruments of Kashmir.

After all, music runs in the blood of the Sopori clan who are playing the santoor for nine generations and belong to the Sufiana gharana of the Indian classical music.
While Bhajan Sopori received his initial training from grandfather Samsar Chand Sopori and his father Shambhoo Nath Sopori, for Abhay taking up the ‘immediate responsibility’ comes naturally. “Our forefathers took the Sufiana music to the masses through thousands of their disciples. Our father has single handedly raised the status of the instrument to the level of a solo concert instrument. So, being a part of such a lineage automatically imparts certain obligations on each of us and we try to take it as a collective responsibility,” he says.

Guiding light
The brothers take their father as an inspiration. “His contribution to Kashmiri music is immense and so is his commitment. Even if we manage to achieve half of what he has done, it will be a great achievement. We are all striving for that,” shares Abhay about his father who has been awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Padma Shri, National Flag Honour of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Delhi Ratna Award and Sangeet Ratna Award among others. “He has around 4,000 odd recorded songs and has actually infused music in the Valley during the tough times,” he adds.

Status of Musicians
“We are all hurt to see the status of the hundreds of talented musicians of the state. The government has no policy for the revival of culture and heritage. There has to be a reservation in jobs for music quota, the way we have for sports. The move will empower the musicians and encourage them. So many music forms are dying because the new generation isn’t ready to pursue the forms, as they don’t see any future for themselves. These are the things we keep on discussing as a family,” shares Pt. Sopori.

COMMON CAUSE
“Each one of us, even my wife Aparna who’s an educationist, is actively involved in the functioning of our academy, SaMaPa (Sopori Academy for Music and Performing Arts,” says Pt. Sopori.
When planning a concert or a festival, the family sits together, and takes part in various aspects from planning to execution.
“My elder brother Sohrab is the hardcore marketing person and is technically not a singer, like our mother. His role is different, yet important. While mom helps in logistics, Sohrab chips in as a marketing maverick,” says Abhay.
“We have many disciples and young musicians coming in every day from remote areas of Kashmir. They stay with us, and take to us as a family. My wife’s hospitality makes this house a home for them,” he says.
Aparna sees culture as a bridge to connect. “Through my husband, I have met so many good musicians who are unknown, as their talent hasn’t reached the people. My service is to help them get what they deserve. Also, there could be no good deed than preserving the cultural assets of my state,” she says.

Sharing the stage
“I am honoured to be sharing the stage with a legend like papa. But we all are on the lookout for young talent, who we can bring forward and give them an opportunity in our concerts. My mother encourages young students to study and take up further education in music,” says Abhay.