It's special to be in same award list as father: Abhay Sopori

Santoor player Abhay Rustum Sopori, who was recently conferred the Asian Admirable Achievers (AAA) award along with his father Bhajan Sopori, admits sharing space with his father in the awards list has doubled the celebrations.

"For me this award is special because I am getting it with papa (father). There are many awards I have received but getting it along with him is a privilege. The first award that I had received with him was 'Dogri Award' in 2008 and this is the second," Abhay told IANS.

"Though there are many awards that he has received and later I too got them, but getting together is a very rare thing," he added.

The AAA is a biographical note that features people who have achieved success fighting all odds and have contributed in their respective fields. It comprises of people across all genres and the voluminous book is in its seventh edition.

Abhay has inherited santoor skills, an ancient stringed musical instrument native to Kashmir, from his father who is often considered as a cultural bridge of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India.