About Abhay Rustum Sopori
Maestro Abhay Rustum Sopori is an Indian Santoor player, music composer and conductor. He is the son of Santoor virtuoso and composer Pandit Bhajan Sopori. Known for his versatility, innovations and experimentation, Abhay is the youngest classical musician to compose and conduct orchestras, choral presentations, Sufi and folk music ensembles, and has also been the youngest recipient of almost all the awards that he has received in recognition of his outstanding contribution and achievements in the field of music. Abhay was the first Indian Classical musician to be invited at the prestigious International conference TEDx.
Since his debut as a Classical Santoor player in mid 1990s, Abhay has performed in prestigious festivals across India and around the world in countries like the United States, Russia, Brazil, Mauritius, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Germany, France, Italy, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Slovenia, Ukraine, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Morocco, Iran, Israel, Bahrain, Dubai, etc.
Sopori introduced the concept of 'Sufi Music Ensemble' titled 'Sufi Kinship®’ in 2011 featuring 35 musicians and Santoor led an Indian Classical Music Ensemble in 2014 featuring 25 musicians and performed at various concerts across India.
He scored the music for the fusion composition titled Haftrang (seven colors in Kashmiri) in 2013 performed by the Bavarian State Orchestra of Germany, together with his Kashmiri folk music ensemble Soz-o-Saaz, giving international recognition to Kashmiri music. The concert was telecast live in more than 100 countries. The orchestra consisted of around 100 musicians.Sopori has also done international collaborations including presentations with the Austrian Vienna Boys Choir, Moroccan Lutist Haj Younis, Iranian santoor player Darius Saghafi, American dulcimer player Malcom Dalgish, French clarinetist Laurent Clouet & others.
Style of Santoor
Sopori's Classical Santoor performance is marked by mellifluous playing, lightning tempo, clarity and accuracy of Indian Classical Raga exposition and adoption of the Sopori Baaj (style), the unique and systematic format of Santoor playing created by his father.Presentation of Dhrupad system along with the accompaniment of the Pakhawaj is also a special characteristic of his Sopori Baaj and performance. He sings the compositions along with its instrumental rendering reviving his traditional Shaivaite - Sufi Santoor Parampara.
His Work in Television
Sailaab (Flood) - Composer, Singer, Doordarshan
Guldasta (Flower Bouquet) - Composer, Doordarshan
Tabla ka Itihas (History of Table instrument) - Composer, Radio
Roshni (Light) - Composer, Doordarshan
Do Sheheron Ki Kahani (Tale of Two Cities) - Composer, Doordarshan
Bazm-E-Chiraghan - Singer, Composer, Doordarshan (Urdu)
Aaj Tak news channel title music, Santoor music
His Compositions
Albums
Vishuddha 1, SaMaPa, Classical Santoor
Vishuddha 2, SaMaPa, Classical Santoor
Triveni, SaMaPa, Santoor Fusion
Sopori Legacy, SaMaPa, Classical Santoor
Dancing Dewdrops, Virgin EMI Records, Santoor Fusion (Classical)
The Urban Grooves – Kashmir, Virgin EMI Records, Santoor Fusion (Kashmiri)
Tum Jo Mile, Virgin EMI Records, Santoor Fusion
Voyage au coeur de l'Inde, Virgin EMI Records, Santoor Fusion
Spirit of Doon, Virgin EMI ...