German Ambassador, Jalota to be honoured by music academy

German Ambassador to India Michael Steiner, who organised the Zubin Mehta concert in Srinagar, Kathak maestro Birju Maharaj and singer Anoop Jalota will receive this year's awards from well-known music academy SaMaPa.
Announcing this here today, SaMaPa General Secretary Abhay Rustum Sopori said Steiner is being honoured for his efforts in promoting music of Jammu and Kashmir while Maharaj has been selected for the award for his lifetime contribution in the field of Hindustani classical dance Kathak.
Steiner had organised a concert by India-born conductor Zubin Mehta in Srinagar on September 7. The concert had assumed political overtones following opposition by separatists and civil society, which saw it as an attempt to present a picture of peace in Kashmir which had witnessed bloodshed in recent decades.

Sopori, who himself is an exponent of santoor, said Jalota is being honoured for his contribution in the field of Hindustani devotional music.
He said SaMaPa Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah award will be conferred on veteran musician of Jammu and Kashmir Abdul Gani Rather 'Trali' for his contribution to Kashmiri folk music.
The awards will be given away at the ninth annual SaMaPa (Sopori Academy of Music and Performing Arts) Sangeet Sammelan here from November 22-24.