Santoor maestro Pandit Bhajan Sopori died at the age of 74

• Image Credit: Internet

• Jun 2, 2022 | Dhupali Das

For his contributions to Indian classical music, Sopori received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1992 and the Padma Shri in 2004.

Digital Desk: Santoor maestro and renowned music composer Pandit Bhajan Sopori passed away on Thursday at 74. He was hospitalized at Gurugram's Fortis Hospital.       

Pandit Bhajan Sopori was born in 1948 in Kashmir's Sopore valley. He was a Sufiana Gharana musician in Indian classical music.

In 1953, Bhajan Sopori gave his debut performance at the age of five. He performed in Egypt, England, Germany, and the United States during a career span of decades.

He learned Hindustani music from his grandfather SC Sopori and father, Shambhoo Nath. Moreover, he was also trained in western classical music, which he received from Washington University. 

For his contributions to Indian classical music, Sopori received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1992 and the Padma Shri in 2004.

"Pandit Bhajan Sopori was recently diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer. The illness had progressed to the liver and bone system. He has been receiving treatment at Gurugram's Fortis Memorial Research Institute (FMRI) since February 2022 and has recently had chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. After his condition worsened, he was admitted to FMRI on May 18, 2022. On June 2, he passed away from multi-organ failure," a statement issued by Fortis reads.