Pandit S N (Shamboo Nath) Sopori
(Pandit Ji can be heard on Hafiz - the Scent of Light)
Pandit Ji (affectionately known as "Professor") was born in 1919 in Sopore(this is the correct spelling)
Kashmir.
Thus the family name which became Sopori. The family later moved to Shrinigar.Kashmir
They were beloved of the Mahahraja of Kashmir who donated large tracts of land to the family. Thus they
were in a position to support their first love of music and would invite famous musicians from all over
India to come to Kashmir and perform.
Pandit Sopori began his illustrious career at the age of five under the tutelage of his grandfather the late
Shankar Pandit, himself highly renowned throughout India
as a great Vocalist and Sitar maestro. He was also a Vedic Scholar
This continued a lineage or gharana dating back to Ancient times and the passing on of very ancient
compositions.
Thus Pandit Ji developed his unique style of playing vocal music on the sitar – an extremely difficult and
rare style which he continues to expound at the present time.
Another rarity is his ability to sing while accompanying himself on the sitar .
Later , (he achieved a doctorate in music) he became a professor of music, founded a music academy
and taught literally thousands of students, including the Maharaja of Kashmir himself.
Many of them became famous artists in their own right. He has performed all over India ,
on All India Radio and television.
He is a living treasury of Indian music and can perform 1000’s of compositions in almost any style known
today. This is also unique as most performers will choose one particular
form of classical music and prefer to remain in that tradition throughout their life.
Unfortunately the ancient line that he is an unbroken part of is now almost extinct.
Luckily he has three sons who are all accomplished musicians themselves that
carry on part of his tradition. Pandit Bhajan Sopori is a world famous Santoor player
and present Director of All India radio. Bhushan Sopori ,an electrical engineer – heads
the government agency NREL in Golden Colorado was also a child prodigy Tabla player .
He performed with many leading Artists in India . He played in concert with Nikhil Banerjee at the tender
age of fourteen He also plays sitar (See separate bio)
All his students are living legacies to this wonderful tradition.
Sadly in more recent time , due to violence and civil unrest in the region,
The Sopori family was forced to abandon their beloved homeland of Kashmir and live in exile.
Pandit Ji and his wife now live with his son Bhushan in Lakewood Colorado, where
He continues to teach a handful of students who have been fortunate enough to
Come into contact with him.
We are so honored and delighted that he agreed to give so generously to this project
and instill this beautiful poetry with his magical voice and ancient tradition.
(Pandit Ji can be heard on Hafiz - the Scent of Light)
Pandit Ji (affectionately known as "Professor") was born in 1919 in Sopore(this is the correct spelling)
Kashmir.
Thus the family name which became Sopori. The family later moved to Shrinigar.Kashmir
They were beloved of the Mahahraja of Kashmir who donated large tracts of land to the family. Thus they
were in a position to support their first love of music and would invite famous musicians from all over
India to come to Kashmir and perform.
Pandit Sopori began his illustrious career at the age of five under the tutelage of his grandfather the late
Shankar Pandit, himself highly renowned throughout India
as a great Vocalist and Sitar maestro. He was also a Vedic Scholar
This continued a lineage or gharana dating back to Ancient times and the passing on of very ancient
compositions.
Thus Pandit Ji developed his unique style of playing vocal music on the sitar – an extremely difficult and
rare style which he continues to expound at the present time.
Another rarity is his ability to sing while accompanying himself on the sitar .
Later , (he achieved a doctorate in music) he became a professor of music, founded a music academy
and taught literally thousands of students, including the Maharaja of Kashmir himself.
Many of them became famous artists in their own right. He has performed all over India ,
on All India Radio and television.
He is a living treasury of Indian music and can perform 1000’s of compositions in almost any style known
today. This is also unique as most performers will choose one particular
form of classical music and prefer to remain in that tradition throughout their life.
Unfortunately the ancient line that he is an unbroken part of is now almost extinct.
Luckily he has three sons who are all accomplished musicians themselves that
carry on part of his tradition. Pandit Bhajan Sopori is a world famous Santoor player
and present Director of All India radio. Bhushan Sopori ,an electrical engineer – heads
the government agency NREL in Golden Colorado was also a child prodigy Tabla player .
He performed with many leading Artists in India . He played in concert with Nikhil Banerjee at the tender
age of fourteen He also plays sitar (See separate bio)
All his students are living legacies to this wonderful tradition.
Sadly in more recent time , due to violence and civil unrest in the region,
The Sopori family was forced to abandon their beloved homeland of Kashmir and live in exile.
Pandit Ji and his wife now live with his son Bhushan in Lakewood Colorado, where
He continues to teach a handful of students who have been fortunate enough to
Come into contact with him.
We are so honored and delighted that he agreed to give so generously to this project
and instill this beautiful poetry with his magical voice and ancient tradition.