MUMBAI: Two youth musician Shabir Saznawaz and theatrist Sumit Sharma from the Valley have been selected for this year's Sangeet Natak Akademi Yova Ustad Bismilah Khan Award.

This is for the first time in the history of the State that this prestigious award has been conferred.
Secretary Jammu Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Zaffar Iqbal Manhas, stated that Saznawaz has been selected in Sofiyana Music while Sharma was chosen by the high level jury constituted by the SNA.

He said: Both have been chosen keeping in view their distinct and high profile contributions for the promotion and propagation of performing arts and regional music in the State....

Shabir is the son of prominent musician of Valley Ustad Ghulam Mohammad Saznawaz. He has represented the State in and outside India on number of times. Prior to this State Academy and NZCC have also awarded him for his extraordinary contribution towards Kashmiri Sofiyana Music. According to the Academy official Mohammad Ashraf Tak JKAACL had this time sent a dozen names to the Akademi  Tak said that the Sangeet Natak Akademi instituted Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar... from the year 2006 and it is awarded to young and outstanding artists who have demonstrated noticeable talent in the fields of music, dance and drama.

Sharma is a young and energetic theatre director and actor who is recognized within and outside the State. Recipient of Special Scholarship from Union Ministry of Human Resources Development New Delhi in the field of performing arts Sharam was also awarded by Academy in acting and direction. He has directed more than one dozen full length and short plays for Natrang.
The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh besides a "tamrapatra" and an "angavastram." The award will be presented to them  in New Delhi during next month by President of India Partibha Devi Singh Patil.

The Sangeet Natak Academy invites the recipients to receive the award in person  They are also invited to give public performance at the festival of music, dance and theatre to be organized by the Akademi following the award ceremony.
Meanwhile Adbi Markaz Kamraz has congratulated Shabir for getting this prestigious award.