Music has no religion

Santoor player Abhay Rustom Sopori is the 10th generation musician in his family. Born and raised in Srinagar, he says he didn't know whether he was Hindu or Muslim till he moved to Delhi

I have a nephew who is about 11 months old. When the grown-ups in the house sit to practice their music, he sits in rapt attention like he is following every note. And I believe to some extent, he is," says Sopori, as he explains the inherent learning that begins in the womb.

"Music is very much in our blood, otherwise it's difficult to get a child that young to sit still," he says.
Sopori would know. The 31 year-old was born into a family with nine generations of musicians. He was the 10th, and considering he gave his first performance at 15, it's hard to scoff when Sopori says he too began learning music early.



Sopori was awarded the J&K State Award on January 26 to recognise his achievement as a Santoor player. "I'm still learning," he says and attributes his success to father and teacher Pandit Bhajan Sopori.

"There is nothing that papa can not do with the Santoor. He has done all that can be done," says Sopori, who plays a modified Santoor. His father introduced a gourd attachment to enhance the volume and help with balancing the instrument.Sopori made his own amendments toou00a0-- he introduced the Open String Concept to sustain a note on the instrument, by increasing the space between bridges and adjusting the kalam.

He can now sustain a note for 20 to 30 seconds without a second strike. "It's not enough for a composer to just be involved with the music. He must know everything there is to know about the instrument," says Sopori.
"Sufi explains it saying, music is a philosophy, an expression of an idea and that is what I try to do."
Sopori will be performing today at the 34th annual concert of the Halim Academy of Sitar, that will also feature Dr Ashwini Bhide.

At:u00a010 am, Karnataka Sangh Hall, Vishwarshiya Smarak Mandir, Kataria Marg, Matunga Road
Call: 24379645
Entry: Free