JAMMU, October: 04 The Harmony Cultural Foundation hosted the 11th Edition of the Harmony India Awards along with the inaugural edition of its much-anticipated musical series Saaz-o-Sukhan at Abhinav Theatre here today. The event was graced by the presence of Chief Commissioner of Income Tax Nirupama Kotru, Relief & Rehabilitation Commissioner Arvind Karwani and former J&K DGP Kuldeep Khoda, who joined in celebrating this landmark occasion of art, music, and culture.
The evening began with the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp symbolizing light, knowledge, and harmony, followed by the inauguration of the Saaz-o-Sukhan series. The inaugural performances marked the debut of young singers Pranav Pandita and Gandharva, who mesmerized the audience with their melodious voices and were applauded with great appreciation for their soulful renditions. The musical segment also featured captivating performances by Saurabh Zadoo and Dr. Deepali Wattal, who together presented a selection of ghazals and Kashmiri light music, weaving poetry and melody into a unique cultural experience. A special remembrance was observed during the program to honor and pay tribute to the talented artists of Jammu & Kashmir who left us too early in life, evoking an emotional and heartfelt response from the audience.
The 11th Harmony India Awards Ceremony followed, honoring a new set of eminent personalities from Jammu & Kashmir. Over the past decade, the Foundation has felicitated more than 100 creative individuals across music, literature, education, journalism, sports, and social activism, making it a cornerstone for cultural recognition in the region. The 2025 awardees include Vijay Dhar (Lifetime Achievement Award), Prof. Amitabh Mattoo (Yogini Mata Laleshwari “Lalded” Samman), Padam Shri Romalo Ram (Pt. Bhajan Sopori Smriti Samman) and Dr. Deepali Wattal (Women Achievers Award).
Shrestha Samman was conferred upon Khalid Hussain, Brij Nath Pandit ‘Betab’, Ramesh Hangloo, Prof. B. L. Zutshi, Kaka Ji Safaya and Dr. Milan Sharma. Special Award was given to B. L. Kaul ‘Deep’. Pradeep Dutta, Ashma Koul and Rakesh Anand were given away the State Icon Awards. Community Icon Awards were conferred upon Dr. Sushil Wattal and Pintoo Ji Pandita. Yuva Puraskar recipient was Anil Koul ‘Chingari’.
The awardees were selected after deliberations by the Harmony Jury Council, comprising eminent cultural and intellectual figures Nirupama Kotru, Prof. Sudhir K. Sopori, Veer Munshi, Krishen Ji Langoo, and Ravinder Kaul. This year’s awards hold special importance, not only as the Foundation enters its second decade but also because of what such platforms mean for Jammu & Kashmir.
The Foundation has steadily shaped up a space where tradition meets innovation, where established artists are honored and emerging talent is given a stage to grow. Much of this has been possible through the personal efforts of the founder Saurabh Zadoo and Co-visionary Romesh Zadoo, who have worked tirelessly to create opportunities for the cultural community. Looking ahead, singer-composer Saurabh Zadoo emphasized his vision to widen the horizon of Harmony by engaging more young talent from J&K in musical productions, offering them opportunities to make their debut and creating original works that showcase their potential on larger platforms.
He expressed his belief that J&K is home to immense untapped artistic energy that, when nurtured through productions and collaborations, can resonate not only across India but on global stages. The evening concluded amid resounding applause, as the hall echoed with appreciation reaffirming Harmony’s role as a vibrant force in celebrating the creative spirit of Jammu & Kashmir and positioning its culture on a larger canvas of national and international recognition.
