NEW DELHI: Ustad Zunain Halim Khan, one of the foremost Sitar players of the present generation from Mumbai, and mesmerizing Ghazal vocalist Ustad Naeem Ali Thirakhwa from Delhi enthralled listeners at the SaMaPa Aalap Festival (SAF) 2014 which moved to Rajouri from Jammu.

The concert at DPS Rajouri was witnessed more than 3000 attendees comprising students of DPS Rajori and other institutes of the area, parents and local residents. The concert also featured a discourse by eminent musicologist and critic Vidushi Manjari Sinha from Delhi.

In another concert held earlier in Jammu at the K.C. Public School observed a soulful recital of Bansuri by the internationally acclaimed Flute maestro Pandit Ronu Majumdar from Mumbai.

The 9th Annual SAF is being presented by the Sopori Academy of Music And Performing Arts (SaMaPa) in collaboration with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, J&K Police & Department of Tourism, Jammu.

Pt. Ronu Majumdar presented Raga Mangal Bhairav commencing his recital with Aalap – Jod followed by compositions in Jhaptaal and Teentaal. He concluded his recital with "Payoji Maine Ram Ratan". His hour long performance marked his mastery on the instrument, perfection of techniques, fine melody, fluency and beautiful unison of Gayaki and Tantrakari Ang. The students joined him singing various phrases and compositions and were taken into a trance. He was accompanied by the renowned Tabla player Durjay Bhaumik and on Bansuri by Hari Dutt Sharma.

Music maestro Abhay Rustum Sopori spoke to the children on the occasion and explained the motive of the festival and shared with the children how various initiatives were taken by SaMaPa in the year 2005 to revive the cultural scenario of the State and how it has now reached to more than 35,000 people. He asked the students to take more interest in cultural activities and also take initiatives to attend at least one art or cultural show every month which helps in the overall development of the personality. He highlighted the need to have a focus on art and culture too as it's an identity of each child. The children looked very inspired, influenced and motivated by Sopori's interaction with them.

In the concert at Rajouri, Zunain Halim Khan presented a scintillating Sitar recital followed by Ghazal recital by Ustad Naeem Ali Thirikwa accompanied by Rafi Khan on Harmonium and Abhishek Mishra on Tabla.

In the concert on the fourth day, the daughter of the