NEW DELHI: Renowned music maestro and cultural icon Abhay Rustum Sopori, known for his path-breaking music festivals in different parts of the Kashmir valley, has received the prestigious Dr S Radhakrishnan National Media Award 2017 for his enormous and path breaking contribution to the field of art and culture (music).

The santoor maestro and composer, who has the credit of bringing the youthin the Valley together through music, told radioandmusic.com that he had been instrumental in introducing a ‘Cultural Policy’ in the state of J&K. In addition, over fifty teachers of classic music were bein appointed at his initiative.

The award was presented at a function organized by Akhil Bhartiya Swatantra Patrakar Avom Lekhak Sangh, at Hansraj College, Delhi University marking the 130th birth anniversary of former President Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan to honour a number of educationist and media personalities selected for the 33rd Dr S Radhakrishnan Memorial National Teacher and Media Network award.

The awards were presented by Delhi Vidhan Sabha Speaker Ram Niwas Goyal, apart from music legend Pandit Bhajan Sopori, South Delhi Municipal Corporation Mayor Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Delhi Minister of Water & Social Welfare Rajendra Prashad Gautam and New Delhi Municipal Corporation Mayor Preety Agarwal and Sangh General Secretary Sangh Dayanand Vats.

Abhay said the award made it special to him as he received it from the hands of his Guru & father Pandit Bhajan Sopori amongst other dignitaries. Abhay is a recipient of a number of national and international awards including the prestigious J&K State Award, Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, Bharat Shiromani Award, Best Citizens of India Award, Sangeet Bhushan Award and many more honours.