ICCR Jammu felicitates renowned singer Kailash Mehra
Last Updated on : 30 Dec,2017 | Source :
UNT News Desk
Jammu:Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Ministry of External Affairs Government of India felicitated Kailash Mehra here at K.L. Sehgal Hall, Abhinav Theatre Complex Jammu in an exclusive function for her life-time contribution in the field of music. The felicitations were done by Kuldeep Khuda former CVC and Director General J&K Police who was joined by Balwant Thakur, Regional Director ICCR J&K.
Reading her citation, Balwant Thakur said that popularly known as ‘Kokila’ of Jammu & Kashmir this outstandingly talented singer took the music of Jammu & Kashmir to world heights and successfully held concerts in London, Pittsburgh, Houston, Washington, Florida, New York, California, Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Detroit, Boston, Toronto, (Canada), Dhaka and Dubai. Gifted with a melodious voice, Kailash Mehra began her initial training in classical music at the age of 10 from Pandit Swaroop Nath Saproo in Devki Arya Putri Pathshalla (Arya Samaj School) Srinagar. This was followed by further training in classical music from Pandit Shamboo Nath Sopori known as the father of music of “Sufiana Gharana” in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. She was trained in techniques and voice modulation in singing light vocal music by Santoor Maestro, Padamshree Pandit Bhajan Sopori. Kailash received her Master’s in Music (Vocal) from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad in 1975 and also obtained M.A. (Vocal) from Punjab University, Chandigarh, 10 years later in 1985. In 1978 she became an instructor of music in Academy of Art Culture and languages, and retired as Professor of Music (Head of the Department) at Government M.A.M. (PG) College, Jammu in June, 2016. She has the honour of having acted as the convener of Board of Studies in Indian Music University of Jammu, Jammu. Awarded and honored at numerous occasions, Kalish Mehra has the distinction of having received State Award in performing arts, including Sharda Samman, Laleshwari Samman and Life Time Achievement and contribution to Kashmir Culture and Music by California Senate, Congress of United States.
The Chief Guest on the occasion, Kuldeep Khuda lauded the initiatives of ICCR J&K in promoting the arts and the artists of Jammu & Kashmir within and outside the country. Describing Kailash Mehra as a living institution of music, he hoped her to keep inspiring generations in the field of music.
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