Apeejay student enthralls audience by playing dilruba at Subah-e-Banaras

Sandeep Singh, an instrumentalist and student at Apeejay College of Fine Arts (ACFA), Jalandhar, spread the magic of music with an enthralling performance at the ‘Subah-e-Banaras’ festival. Singh played the dilruba, a rare stringed Indian instrument, at the event organised at Assi Ghat, Varanasi, recently.

“Subah-e-Banaras” was initiated by the government of Uttar Pradesh in 2014 to acquaint people with the cultural heritage of the destination. Eminent artistes from across the country participate in the programme through music, dance, and theatre. It is organised for half an hour after the famed Ganga aarti in the morning and is attended in large numbers by people not only from India but abroad.

This time, Singh, who is in his fourth semester of MA Music Instrument, played Raag Bhairav on dilruba and enchanted the audience. He was recently accorded the title of a Grade A artist by All India Radio. Since the time he started playing at the age of 11, he has mesmerised people with his music across the globe.  A recipient of Ustad Allauddin Khan Award, Sandeep’s vision is to popularise dilruba and train music enthusiasts all over the world.

Congratulating Sandeep on his remarkable performance, Dr Neerja Dhingra, principal, ACFA, said he must engage in continuous practice and participate in more such events to not only entertain but also promote Indian music. She appreciated the efforts of Dr Anupam Sood, HOD, Department of Music Instrumental, ACFA, and Dr Seema Sharma, a professor at the department, on the wonderful achievement of their student.