STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: With the aim to promote and felicitate the regional music, K.L Verma family was felicitated in Gharana -5 in a programme organised by the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages today in Abhinav Theatre here on Sunday.
On the occasion, Narayan Prasad, prominent Kathak Dancer was the Chief Guest.
While delivering his speech as chief guest, he applauded the role of the J&K Academy in organizing Gharana series wherein the artists of their times are felicitated. He said that the families of the senior artists felicitated in this programme not only honored but such performances also help in boosting the new generation.
Born on 8th June 1944 in Village Sanoora of Tehsil Hiranagar, District Kathua, in the family of Munshi Ram Verma and Koushalaya Verma. K.L Verma a renowned Tabla player has attained his early education from Snatan Dharam School, Jammu. Afterwards he did M.A (Music) from Gandharav Mandal Vishav -Vidhayalaya, Mumbai. He was encouraged by his father Munshi Ram Verma and mother Kaushalaya Verma to learn the music. He joined Institute of Music and Fine Arts, Jammu in 1968 as Assistant Tabla Instructor and retired as Senior Instructor Tabla in 2002. In addition to his professional and Academic qualification, he got training as Vocalist from Legend Guru Pt. Uma Dutt Sharma, father of International acclaimed Santoor Ustad Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma. He has given performances with International fame artist like Hari Parsad Chaurasia, Pt. Jas Raj Sharma and Pt Rajan Sajan Mishra. He has also been decorated with numerous Awards among which are Sur-Shingar Award-1967 (Mumbai), L.P Record in Bangla Bhasha and Kashmir Bhasha with Shamima Dev Azad by Calcutta Gramophone Co., Jammu Festival Award. Presently he is ‘B’ High Grade Tabla Player of All India Radio and is rendering services in his field.
Earlier delivering his welcome address, Dr. Arvinder Singh Amn, Additional Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages threw light on the importance of this programme and highlighted how this programme is getting popularity and becoming attraction the new generation.
In the programme, K.L Verma and his family performed include Master Aakarshat Verma (Grand Son), Neeraj Verma (son) performed Solo Tabla performance. His sister Kanta Verma and brother Madan Lal Verma presented Dogri Songs, which were appreciated by the audience. The most attractive item which enthralled the gathering was a joint performance on Tabla by three generations K.L Verma (Grand Father), Neeraj Verma (son) and Master Aakarshat Verma (Grand Son).
The proceedings of the prgorammes were conducted by Kusam Tickoo a well know artist of the State whereas Monika Jamwal Kanotra a media personality readout a detailed paper on the life and works of K.L Verma. Vote of thanks was presented by Ashok Gupta, Editor Dogri JKAACL. The K.L Verma family was also felicitated on the occasion.
Among others who were present include Ravi Sharma, Jeevan Sharma, Naina Sapru, Darbari Lal Kaswalia, Anuradha Seth, Pushpinder Talwar, Rajinder Tickoo, Padam Dev Singh Nadan, Brijmohan, Subhash Sharma, Vijay Attri, Rajni Kumari, Tejinder Singh Teji, family members, disciples of K.L Verma and a galaxy of art and music lovers.
