It is with deep regret that we report the passing of the remarkable musician Pandit Bhajan Sopori, at the age of 74. A master of the santoor, (a trapezoidal hammered dulcimer), Pandit-ji was an honoured guest at a number of the music festivals held to celebrate the Urs of Hazrat Inayat Khan, where he responded warmly to the atmosphere of the Master’s Dargah, and through the years we developed a deep friendship with him and his family. He was the descendant of a three hundred year long musical lineage in Sopore, Kashmir, and his musical style incorporated both the profundities of Hindustani classical music and the lyric poetry of Kashmiri Sufiyana music. He was also deeply involved in work to heal the divisions and pains of his native land.

We offer our sincere condolences to his wife, Aparna, and his son Abhay. The smile, the spirit and the santoor of the Pandit will be deeply missed.