Pandit Sopori learnt to play Santoor and Hindustani music from his grandfather SC Sopori and father SN Sopori. Sopori learnt western classical music from Washington University. He received multiple awards throughout his career, including the Padma Shri in 2004, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1992. He was also awarded the M N Mathur award in 2011 for his contribution to Indian classical music and J&K Government Civilian Award, Doctorate of Literature by Utkal University (Odisha), National Flag Honour of the Arab Republic of Egypt, etc.
Pandit Bhajan Sopori, has a double Masters’s degree in Indian Classical music, specializing in both the Sitar and the Santoor, besides having a Masters degree in English Literature. He has also studied Western Classical Music at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Pandit Sopori, considered as the cultural link between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India, also runs a music academy called SaMaPa (Sopori Academy for Music and Performing Arts), which is actively involved in promoting Indian classical music.
Pandit Bhajan Sopori has composed various patriotic songs of India like ‘Bharat Bharat Hum Iski Santaan’, ‘Hum Honge Kaamyaab’, ‘Vande Maataram’, ‘Naman Tujhko Mere Bharat’, etc. He has also recomposed and revived the INA songs like ‘Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna’, ‘Vijayee Vishwa Tiranga Pyaara’, ‘Kadam Kadam Badhaye Jaa’, ‘Bharat Ki Beti’, etc. for national integration and also composed anti-terrorism songs like “Savdhan”, and “Mere Jannath Mere Kashmir” for the National Network.
