Pandit Bhajan Sopori
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Pandit Bhajan Sopori is a Hindustani instrumental composer from Kashmir. Son of composer Shamboo Nath Sopori and brother of Bhushan Lal Sopori (Master of Tabla & Sitar). Master of the Santoor, a hammered dulcimer instrument of Persian and Kashmiri origin, to which he has also made technical modifications, expanding its range of octaves. Composes in Sufiana Gharana, among others. Currently resides in Delhi, India.
Santoor maestro, Pandit Bhajan Sopori comes from a family of musicians of "Sofiana Gharana" of Kashmir and Santoor is what he inherited from his predecessors. He got his initial training from his grand father, Pt. S. C. Sopori and later from his father Pt. S.N. Sopori. He gave his first public performance at the age of ten in the conference organised by Prayag Sangeet Samiti and Univ. of Allahabad. Ever since he has been performing with great distinction in various festivals and conferences in the country and abroad. Shri Bhajan Sopori had formal academic training in both sitar and santoor upto masters level besides having obtained masters degree in English Literature. He also studied Western Classical music at the Washington University, U.S.A.
Pandit Bhajan Sopori holds a very prestigious place among the musicians of India. He has performed for leading cultural association, Radio Sangeet Sammelans and other National Programmes of Padio and Doordarshan and has received many awards of merit for his musical exellence. He has also performed in England, Germany, U.S.A., Egypt, Yugoslavia, Bulgana, Syria, Belgium, Norway, etc. and has taught music at the Washington university, St. Louis and the University of Oslo (Norway).
With his devotion and dedication to Santoor, Pandit Sopori has advanced his technique of playing where he skillfully brings about a synthesis of the various phrases of vocal and instrumental music. The structural novelty of his instrument accentuates his stylistic uniqueness, which is conventional and yet creative and progressive. His presentation is lyrical and aesthetic.
Shri Bhajan Sopori is also a music director of repute having produced several musical productions and has composed music for songs in various Indian languages. He has also composed music for operas, Telefilms, serials and documentaries.
Shri Sopori has also playing records and a number of cassettes of Santoor recitals and compositions to his credit.
