Nirvana Academy organises Pandit Uma Dutt Sangeet Mahootsav Day 1

Jammu, 17 December 2013: Nirvana Academy inaugurated 6th season of Pandit Uma Dutt Sharma Sangeet Mahootsav at Auditorium, Government Polytechnic College, Bikram Chowk Jammu here today.
On the occasion rich tributes were paid to Late Pandit Uma Dutt Sharma great musician of his time (April 1900-1973), also father and guru of Santoor maestro Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma.
Day one of the festival started with the musical performance of Mythya band who enthralled the audience with their fusion music followed by the musical competition in folk, regional, light singing as well as instrumental categories. During the competition 62 participants from different areas of Jammu region took part and expressed their talent. Krishan Lal Verma, Tabla Maestro and disciple of Pandit Uma Dutt Sharma, Puran Singh Wazir noted musician and Gautam Kotwal of Mythya band adjudged the contest.
Meenakshi Sharma, General Secretary Nirvana Academy threw light on the life and achievements of Pandit Uma dutt Sharma. Pandit Uma dutt was born in April 1900. Pandit ji received his training in tabla and pakhawaj from his Guru Sardar Harnam Singh. Pandit ji spent 10 years under the guidance of Pt. Bade Ram Das ji at Banaras and when his Guru was satisfied with pandit ji's attainments pandit ji returned to his home town Jammu.
On his return, Pandit ji started to impart training to students and music lovers in both vocal and instrumental music. He was a very patient teacher who introduces his students to final shades of music. Quite a few of his well known students, practice music even to this day. Pandit ji was one of the few artists from Jammu, who used to give performances in vocal music from Lahore Music station. Pandit ji appointed as music supervisor in Radio Kashmir Jammu, during which period he arranged the visit of number of well known Musicians of other part of the country.
He was transferred to Radio Kashmir Srinigar. Where he was introduced to Santoor. Pandit Uma Dutt Sharma gave the responsibility of taking the Santoor on the world stage to his son Shiv kumar after extensive research on its possibilities.
Today, Shivkumar Sharma and the Santoor are synonymous. Shivkumar Sharma has truly been successful in giving the Santoor the position of a popular classical instrument. Shivkumar Sharma modified the folk instrument in order to make it more suitable for classical music.
Nirvana Academy – A Cultural Club organized Pt. Uma Dutt Sharma Sangeet Mahootsav every year to provide platform to budding artist, to preserve and to promote forms of Indian folk and classical music. This year Nirvana Academy is organizing 3 days festival in Pt. Uma dutt Sangeet Mahootsav which includes musical contest as well as performances of legendary folk and classical artists. This year Nirvana Academy also organizes an interaction programme of students and musicians with santoor maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma.
Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma Patron in Chief, Narinder Singh Ex-Mayor, State Awardee Praduman Singh Jindrahia, Suresh Sharma, Varinder Raina, Deepak Sharma, Ashutosh Dubey, Naresh Kumar Sharma, Sumit Sharma Cultural head, Neeraj Sharma, Meenakshi Sharma, Nishant Vaid, Prince Nagotra, Paramjeet Kour, Anu Kumari, Neha Verma, Kuldeep Kumar, Amit Sharma, Vikas Bawa, Deepak Kumar, Subhash Dey, Anmol Amla are the main members among the festival organizing body.

Nirvana Academy and Disabled Care foundation marked International day of people with disabilities

Jammu, 03 December: International Day of person with Disabilities was today celebrated at Auditorium Women College Gandhi Nagar Jammu by organising series of events on the day on United Nations Theme2013“Break Barriers, Open Doors: to realize an inclusive Society for all.“

The Event was organised jointly by Nirvana academy A regd. Cultural Club & Disabled Care Foundation in collaboration with NSS Unit of Government College for Women Gandhi Nagar and was supported by the Bharti Infratel, Little millennium Play way school & mindscapes Education & Environmental Trust.

The programme was chaired by Shantumanu Sinha, IAS Divisional commissioner Jammu, Dr. Kiran Bakshi Principal GCW, Gandhi nagar along with Sohail Kazami Senior Journalist & Mrs Akhila Sharma Educationist & Social entrepreneur.

The event was inaugurated with lighting of lamp followed by welcome address by Dr Kiran Bakshi principal of the college who highlighted the importance of the day.

A colourful multitalented programmes on cultural Bonanza was presented by the disabled students of various schools along with Mohd. Farooq from Poonch a young talented singer enthralled the audience and lauded by all.

The series of the events was divided into two parts. In first session an inter college symposium was organised on the topic Social/Media Responsibilities, Legal Remedies & Political will “ in Bringing National Trust Act 1999 in Jammu & Kashmir” The aim of organising symposium was to make people of the state aware about Importance of the National Trust act 1999 (for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities) which is not implemented in the state of Jammu & Kashmir even after passing of 14 years. Prof. Neelu Gupta HOD Department History, Sohail Kazmi Senior Journalist, Ashutosh Bajaj Business Head Bharti Infratel and Akhila Sharma an Educationatist were in the jury member. Sanam Khan of GCW Gandhi nagar bagged first prize in symposium competition while Neha Rana of GCW Gandhi nagar won 2^nd prize and Waheed Anjum Qureshi of MAM College got 3^rd prize in symposium competition.

Umesh Sharma chairperson Disabled Care foundation while speaking on the occasion stressed upon the bringing on NTA 1999 as early as possible highlighting the various benefits and importance of such Act for such special children. prominent among others who spoke on the occasion include Hitesh Badyal President Nirvana academy, Ashutosh from Bharti Infratel, Mrs Akhila Magotra, Inderjeet Khajuria Chairman J & K Kalyan Samaj Kendra.

In the afternoon session A fund raising ghazal Concert “ Diva Bale Sari Raat “ A Tribute to Jagjit Singh  was organised in aid of J& K Samaj Kalyan Kendra ((A Higher Secondary School for Impaired handicapped) DAD Donate a desk. The tribute was paid by Darmesh Nargotra the noted Ghazal singer of national eminence. Vikas Naagar on lead guitar, Joginder on tabla, Chetan on Violin, Shiva on dholak and Arush on guitar accompanied the ghazal maestro Dharmesh Nargotra. Hundreds of students, member of civil society, facility members and people from all walks of society witnessed this mega tribute leaving them spellbound. Programme was Coordinated by Prof. Shrutika Rajput and M Ashq Malik NSS programme officer. The vote of thanks was presented by Dr. Ashq Malik of GCW, Gandhi nagar on the occasion. Sherish Javed and Ashwinder Kour anchored the programme.

   

The 3rd December is International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD), a dedicated day to place a greater emphasis on the abilities and achievements of people living with disability. This year we celebrate the 21^stanniversary of International Day of Persons with disability. The overarching UN theme for IDPwD in 2013 is: Break barriers and open doors: to realise an inclusive society for all.