New Delhi: The recipients of the prestigious SaMaPa Awards 2024 have been announced by Pandit Abhay Rustum Sopori, renowned Santoor maestro and General Secretary of SaMaPa (Sopori Academy of Music and Performing Arts). The awards will be presented during the 20th Annual SaMaPa Sangeet Sammelan, a prominent classical music festival, at Kamani Auditorium in New Delhi on November 22, 23, and 24, 2024.
The SaMaPa Awards, celebrated annually, recognize outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to Indian music, art, and culture. The awards honor both established legends and emerging talents across various fields of music and the performing arts. This year’s recipients include:
Pandit Samsar Chand Sopori ‘Kala Vardhan’ Samman – Shashi Vyas (Mumbai), for his immense contribution to art and culture.
Pandit Shamboo Nath Sopori ‘Sangeet Tejasvi’ Samman – Pandit Harish Tiwari (Delhi), for his achievements in Hindustani classical vocal music.
SaMaPa Vitasta Samman – Pandit Nityanand Haldipur (Mumbai), for his lifelong dedication to Hindustani classical flute music.
SaMaPa Nund Rishi Samman – Bashir Aarif (Jammu & Kashmir), for his contributions to Kashmiri literature.
SaMaPa Acharya Abhinavgupt Samman – Alok Paradkar (Lucknow), for his work as an art critic and journalist.
SaMaPa Yuva Ratan Samman – Lakshay Mohan & Aayush Mohan (Delhi), in recognition of their talent in Hindustani classical music (Sitar & Sarod).
SaMaPa Award of Excellence – Kamalini Nagarajan Dutt (Mumbai), for her contributions to Indian art, culture, and dance.
The SaMaPa Awards are part of the cultural movement founded by the late Pandit Bhajan Sopori, aimed at preserving and promoting India’s traditional music and performing arts. The award ceremony is a highlight of the SaMaPa Sangeet Sammelan, which showcases performances from leading classical musicians.
Pandit Abhay Sopori, in announcing the awards, expressed his pride in carrying forward the legacy of his family and the SaMaPa mission. “These awards honor the great musical traditions of India, and we are thrilled to recognize individuals whose contributions continue to enrich our cultural heritage,” he said.
The 20th Annual SaMaPa Sangeet Sammelan will be held from November 22 to 24, with performances by some of the country’s finest classical musicians, making it one of the most anticipated cultural events of the year.
