New Delhi, Oct 21 (IANS): SaMaPa (Sopori Academy of Music And Performing Arts), a leading cultural organisation and music academy of India, has announced the names of the recipients of this year’s prestigious SaMaPa awards, the exclusive national level honours pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir.

The announcement was made by Pt. Abhay Rustum Sopori, the International award winning Santoor maestro and composer and General Secretary of SaMaPa.

He revealed that the award will be presented during the 19th Annual SaMaPa Sangeet Sammelan, the top most classical music festival of Delhi and one of the most prestigious festivals of the country, on November 3, 4 and 5 at Kamani Auditorium, Delhi.

SaMaPa is a cultural movement, which has translated from a deep-rooted vision of the Founding Chairman, the great music legend late Pt. Bhajan Sopori, the Saint of Santoor & King of Strings, in creating a unique, unbiased and empowering national level platform for presentation, propagation, and teaching of traditional music and performing arts for the artists and the young talents.

SaMaPa Vitasta Samman 2023 is being conferred upon the veteran Pakhawaj maestro Pt. Dalchand Sharma (Delhi) for his lifetime contribution to Hindustani Classical Music (Pakhawaj).

The award is presented to the eminent and legendary musicians of India who contribute significantly in propagating and preserving the cultural heritage of our country.

The Samman has been named after the historical river Vitasta (Jhelum), a symbol of love, harmony, art, culture and Shaivite - Sufi Saint tradition of Kashmir, which represents the cultural ethos and rich heritage of J&K.