Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 10: Dr Veethika Tikoo, a highly talented santoor specialist and the youngest female Santoor Vadika, captivated the audience during a classical santoor concert organized by AROHI Sangeet Vidyalaya in collaboration with the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), Union Ministry of External Affairs and Government Women’s PG College, Gandhi Nagar.
Dr Tikoo, known for her exceptional artistry, has performed across India and internationally, becoming the first female santoor artist to perform at the European Parliament. In today’s concert, she presented Raga Charukeshi with compositions set in Teen Taala in vilambit, drut and ati drutt gat, followed by a semi-classical piece in Punjabi Theka. She was accompanied by Neeraj Verma, a virtuoso tabla player, and Tanpura artists Chandhi and Gurpreet Singh.
The chief guest, Dr Darakhshan Andrabi, chairperson of JK Waqf Board and Minister of State, lauded AROHI Sangeet for its efforts to promote classical music and praised Dr Tikoo for her commitment to preserving the traditions of Hindustani music and the Sufiana Gharana of Jammu and Kashmir. She also commended Neeraj Verma for his remarkable tabla skills.
Guests of honour, including Vikram Randhawa, MLA Bhau constituency; Neha Jalali, Director, Press Information Bureau, Government of India; Harvinder Kour, Secretary, JK Cultural Academy; Dr Arvind Karwani, Commissioner, Relief and Rehabilitation; Prof Dr Padmini Tikoo, sitar maestro; Pooja Malhotra, Convenor, Rotary Club Start, Jammu Zone; and Senior BJP leader Rekha Mahajan, acknowledged efforts of Rajaji, president of AROHI, to preserve and promote cultural diversity.
The concert commenced with a welcome address by Rajesh Kumar, Regional Director, ICCR, Jammu Kashmir, and concluded with a vote of thanks by Roshan Bhan, Secretary, AROHI Sangeet. Prof Revika Arora anchored the program gracefully, leaving the audience enriched and inspired by the soulful rendition of classical music.
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