Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Monday expressed satisfaction over the successful culmination of SaMaPa Aalap music festival in Kashmir valley. Addressing a joint press conference with the organizers of the festival, Dr. Samoon said the event acted as a tool to take traditional music of Kashmir to the masses and helped the younger generation to show case their talent during the concerts.He said local artists have got huge talent which needs to be harnessed and exposed at national and international level and added that it is high time that effective steps are taken to preserve the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir.He said government will provide every possible support to the Music and Fine arts for preparing youth to compete at international platforms.
Divisional Commissioner further stated that the programs like SaMaPa will help the younger generation to be acquainted with the local traditional music.During the press conference, music maestro and organizer of the festival, Abhay Rustum Sopori expressed his gratitude to divisional administration for their support. Sopori also thanked Departments of School Education Kashmir, Information, Tourism Kashmir, Academy of Art, Culture & Languges, Radio Kashmir, Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar and Principals & administration of various schools and colleges.Giving details about the festival Sopori said the concerts were held at 16 different venues across different districts of Kashmir valley featuring over 300 young and eminent artists witnessed by around 12,000 people comprising mainly of the youth from schools and colleges of Kashmir and music connoisseurs.He said the festival featured more than 87 concerts. “More than 150 young talent of Kashmir were presented in the festival in solo and group presentations as singers and instrumentalists sharing the stage with internationally acclaimed musicians,” he added.