The award is given for unparallel contribution to Indian art and heritage.
SaMaPa (Sopori Academy of Music and Performing Arts) has conferred this year’s ‘SaMaPa Vitasta Award’ to tabla maestro Padma Vibhushan Pt. Kishan Maharaj and veteran music composer Sh Khayyam.
Pandit Kishan Maharaj has been awarded the ‘SaMaPa Vitasta Award 2007’ for his lifetime contribution in Indian Classical Instrumental Music (Tabla) and is being honoured for his lifetime contribution in music direction. 'SaMaPa Vitasta Award 2014' was presented to Pandit Debu Chaudhuri for his lifetime contribution to the field of Hindustani Classical Music – Sitar (Delhi).
SaMaPa Award for contribution to folk culture was presented to Munir Ahmad Mir for his dedication and immense contribution to the Kashmiri light and folk music (Srinagar, J&K). Subhra Mazumdar received the ‘SaMaPa Acharya Abhinavgupt Samman’ for her lifetime contribution to the field of music as a music critic (Delhi). ‘SaMaPa Yuva Ratan Samman’ has been conferred upon the young vocalist Sh. Dhananjay Hegde for his achievements in the field of Hindustani Classical Music -Vocal (Bangalore).
‘SaMaPa Vitasta Award’ is given for unparallel contribution to Indian art and heritage. The award has been named after the historical river Vitasta of Kashmir also known as the Jehlum- the river represents the cultural ethos and rich heritage of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The honour carries cash award of Rs 50,000. ‘SaMaPa Sher-e-Kashmir Award for regional contribution carries cash award of Rs 25,000.
‘SaMaPa Acharya Abhinavgupt Samman’ is a special award named after Acharya Abhinavgupt of 10th century from Kashmir is given to music critics, musicologists and scholars for their extraordinary work towards music and performing arts. The honour carries cash award of Rs. 11,000. ‘SaMaPa Yuva Ratan Samman’ has been instituted to recognise, encourage and felicitate the young generation artists of the country who are doing exceptionally well in their respective fields and carries cash award of Rs 11,000.
The SaMaPa Sangeet Sammelan 2014 commenced with a glittering function last night in New Delhi at Kamani Auditorium. Shri LK Advani inaugurated the 10th Annual SaMaPa Sangeet Sammelan, the topmost classical music festival of Delhi and one of the most prestigious festivals of the country. On this occasion Shri Advani along with music legend Pandit Bhajan Sopori, Chairman SaMaPa, presented the prestigious SaMaPa awards 2014 to various luminaries of Indian music. Music maestro Abhay Rustum Sopori, Prof Aparna Sopori, DDG Doordarshan Dr Rafiq Masoodi and Vice President SaMaPa and senior music critic Pt. Vijay Shanker Mishra were also present on the Stage.
Acclaimed as a Cultural Bridge of the State of Jammu & Kashmir with rest of the country and responsible for having created a new generation
of music connoisseurs, SaMaPa widened its base in the general masses by creating the right platform for better appreciation and understanding of the traditional music and its technicalities. It has enabled people to utilise the power of music in leading a more balanced life, as well as exploring opportunities with music as means to their employment.
Past recipients include Girija Devi (vocal), Hema Malini (dance), Pt. Ramashrey Jha (vocal & musicology) and Shameem Azad (Kashmiri folk & light music).
—Bureau Report
