MUMBAI: Sopori Academy of Music and Performing Arts (SaMaPa) as the name itself suggests that it`s an institution of music and performing arts.SaMaPa is not merely an academy but a cultural movement aimed at propagating and popularizing Indian classical and traditional music with a focus on Jammu and Kashmir State for which it has been recognized on a global level. SaMaPa serves as a cultural bridge between the State of Jammu and Kashmir and rest of the country representing the heartbeat of J&K people and its culture.

SaMaPa, under the aegis of its Chairman and President - the Santoor Legend and Composer Pandit Bhajan Sopori, has raised the level of music in J&K bringing it in the world music scenario. Pandit Sopori, hailed as the `Pride of the State and Nation`, has through his music highlighted the concept of oneness and foster unity enshrining the idea of national integration, humanism and peace amongst the common man and the youth in particular.

Alike day & night, grief & happiness, loss & win are incomplete without each other, art & culture, literature & music too are also incomplete without each other or it makes the perfect combination, keeping this perfect combination in mind SaMaPa have done great work in the field of arts, creativity and literature alongside music. And the example of the same can be seen in their annual music festival "SaMaPa Sangeet Sammelan", which was entered into 3rd year recently with two days Festival at Kamani Auditorium at Copernicus Marg, New Delhi.

During the two days festival an art exhibition by artists of J&K Akademi of Art, Culture & Language was also organised and two legendary personalities from the music industry; Tabla Maestro Padma Vibhushan Pt. Kishan Maharaj and the veteran music composer Sh. Khayyam were honoured with prestigious `SaMaPa Vitasta Award 2007` and Ustad Gulam Mohammed was honoured with `SaMaPa Sher-E-Kashmir Sheikh Mohd. Abdullah Award` for Dogri Folk Music. Pandit Kishan Maharaj & Sh. Khayyam were awarded for their lifetime contribution in the field of Indian Classical Instrumental Music (Tabla) & Music Direction respectively, whereas Ustad Gulam Mohd. was awarded for his contribution to Dogri Folk Music.

The first day of the festival belonged to the Santoor of Santoor maestro & music composer Abhay Rustum Sopori, Vocal of Harish Tiwari and Tabla recital by Pandit Kishan Maharaj and his grandson. The second day commenced in the morning with Santoor Ensemble by the Students of Salvan Public School, Gurgaon which was coordinated by Roshan Ali (disciple of Pt. Bhajan Sopori), followed by Swar-Laya Samvad (Feat. female Musicians) by Su. Maitree Majumdar, Su. Veena Sawale (Vocal), Su. Preeti Sinha (Pakhawaj), Dr. Vasudha Saxena, Dr. Neelu Sharma, Su Khushboo (Tabla) and ended with Vocal Recital by Pt. Madhup Mudgal. Second evening of the two days musical festival consisted of Sitar-Sarod Duet by Kedia Bandhu (Sh. Manoj & Sh. Mormukut Kedia), Vocal Recital by pt. Samresh Chawdhury and Odissi Dance by Guru Kiran Segal and troupe. Painting exhibition by artists of J&K Akademi was also the point of attraction for guests and all the delhiites.

The festival was a huge success for all the artists as more than thousands of people came to enjoy and the sizzling performances of the artists left them mesmerised. During the festival many distinguished guests including Zohra Sehgal, Pt. Rajan-Sajan Misra, Dr. Shanno Khurana, Gurcharan Singh Chadak (Min. of PWD, J&K), Sh. Shambhu Nath Sopori, Pt. Bhajan Sopori, Aparna Sopori, Pakistani Urdu poet Farhat Shehzad, Dr. Farooq Abdullah (Hon`ble Member Parliament, Rajya Sabha), Jugal Kishore (Hon`ble Min. for Rural Development, J&K), Dr. Rafeeq Masoodi (Commissioner Secretary, J&K Academy, J&K), Pt. Mangat Ram Sharma (Hon`ble Min. for Health, Medical Education, Employment & Ladakh Affairs, J&K), A.R. Shaheen (Hon`ble Member Parliament, Lok Sabha), Lov Verma (Jt. Secretary, Deptt of Culture, Govt. of India) were also present there.

SaMaPa Sangeet Sammelan is acknowledged as one of the top festivals of music in India. With its motive - jan jan tak sangeet (Music to the masses), SaMaPa serves as a cultural bridge between Jammu and Kashmir State and rest of the country representing the heartbeat of J&K people and its culture.