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Ustad Amjad Ali Khan presented lifetime achievement award in Delhi
New Delhi, Nov 17 (IANS) One of India’s greatest sarod masters, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, on Saturday was presented the ‘Sumitra Charat Ram Award for Lifetime Achievement’ at the Kamani Auditorium, for his “immense contribution to the enrichment and promotion of the Indian classical music”.
The award was presented to him by former diplomat Lalit Mansingh.
Best known for his clear and fast ‘ekhara taans’, Khan was born in 1945 in Gwalior. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan (2001), and is among the tallest Indian classical musicians.
“I am so honoured and happy to be receiving this award. My life began from this corner of Mandi House,” the iconic sarod maestro said at the event, reminiscing about his initial days in the Kendra.
He has been associated with the Kendra since his father and guru Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan joined the cultural institution as a guru, the Kendra said.
Khan is sixth in the lineage of a family devoted to Indian classical music’s Senia Bangash Gharana. He first performed when he was only six years old.
Khan, in a previous email interview to IANS, had said he couldn’t think of doing anything other than playing the sarod as its sound had a global appeal.
“It was my duty, my pleasure, my passion to carry on the family tradition,” he had said, referring to the work of the generations before him and his ambition to take it forward.
The lifetime achievement award, named after Sumitra Charat Ram, the founder of the Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra, was instituted in 2010, and has since then been given to Kishori Amonkar, Pandit Jasraj, Hariprasad Chaurasia and Girija Devi (in music) and Mayadhar Raut, Kumudini Lakhia, and Birju Maharaj (in dance).
Speaking about Sumitra Charat Ram at the event, Khan said that she was like a mother to him.
“There was my mother who delivered me, and there was Sumitra ji, who was like my mother,” he said.
Khan is married to classical dancer Subhalakshmi Khan, and has two sons and disciples, Ayaan and Amaan Ali Bangash.
The Sarod master has performed in the House of Commons in London, the Central Hall of Parliament in New Delhi and the United Nations, New York. He has also taught music as visiting professor at several international universities.
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan has received the Fellowship of the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the Unesco award, UNICEF National Ambassadorship, ‘Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters’ of France, and Fukuoka Cultural Grand Prize of Japan.
–IANSA
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.