Delhi to host 2nd World Santoor Day celebrations on June 22

The Sopori Academy of Music and Performing Arts (SaMaPa) will host the second edition of World Santoor Day on Sunday, June 22, at the Chinmaya Mission Auditorium on Lodhi Road, Delhi. The event will begin at 5:30 PM and continue till 10:00 PM. Entry is free and open to all on a first-come, first-served basis.

World Santoor Day was first celebrated in 2024 to honour the birth anniversary of the legendary Santoor maestro Pandit Bhajan Sopori. The initiative, supported by leading names in Indian music and culture such as A R Rahman, Anup Jalota, Kailash Kher, Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Vidushi Sumitra Guha and Siddharth Kak, aims to highlight the cultural and historical significance of the Kashmiri Santoor — also known as the Shatatantri Veena — and its deep roots in Kashmir’s spiritual and musical heritage.

This year’s programme will feature performances by Santoor players from across India and around the world. International artists from Argentina, China and Colombia will present video performances, each accompanied by local tabla players. A special Santoor ensemble will bring together musicians from Germany, Finland, Rajasthan and Delhi, accompanied on tabla by Chanchal Singh.

The evening will also include solo Santoor recitals by Divyansh Srivastava, Vidushi Shruti Adhikari, Ninad Adhikari and Abhay Rustum Sopori, accompanied by Anand Mishra, Durjay Bhaumik and Ram Kumar Mishra on tabla.

Speaking ahead of the event, Pt Abhay Rustum Sopori said that World Santoor Day not only brings together musicians across continents, but also reaffirms the Santoor’s legacy as one of India’s most culturally significant instruments. He noted that in addition to the Delhi celebrations, performances and sessions are being organised in countries such as the United States, Argentina, Colombia and China, as well as in several Indian states including Odisha and Jammu & Kashmir.

Also Read: Strings of eternity: Abhay Rustum Sopori’s journey of music, mysticism, and legacy

Observed a day after World Music Day, World Santoor Day serves as a tribute to an instrument that has influenced similar string instruments across the globe. Organisers hope the event will deepen global appreciation for the Santoor’s role in Indian classical music and the philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism, while promoting cultural exchange through music.

When: June 22; 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM

Where: Chinmaya Mission Auditorium, Lodhi Road, New Delhi