The Literary Club and The Music Club of “Utsaah,” the Clubs, JU organises musical evening

The Music Club and the Literary Club under the aegis of “Utsaah,” the Clubs, University of Jammushowcased an array of handpicked scintillating performances in the Mini Amphitheater, within the premises of the Main Campus, as a part of its ongoing Diwali celebrations. The musical evening, themed “Ek Ruhani Shaam Amir Khusro  Aur Bulleh Shah Ke Naam” was a tribute to the two renowned poets. Wherein Khusro is known as “the father of qawwali” who enriched Hindustani Classical Music, Bulleh Shah is known for the verse form “Kafi.”The intricately curated programme was a huge success as it left the audiences mesmerised.

The Chief Guest for the musical evening was Prof. Pragati Kumar, Vice Chancellor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University and the Guest of Honour was Prof. Bechan Lal, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu, while the programme was presided over by Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu. Theprogramme commenced with the felicitation of the special guests who were presented with  tokens of regard.

In his presidential remarks,  Prof.  Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu applauded the euphoric participation of the students, scholars, faculty members, non-teaching staff, gazetted, non-gazetted employees, and community members. Heencouraged the young participants and appreciated their performances. He conveyed his wishto see more such talent emerge taking inspiration from those who had performed.

While addressing the audience,  the Chief Guest for the occasion, Prof. Pragati Kumar, Vice Chancellor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University applauded the commendable work on the part of clubs of  “Utsaah,” University of Jammu. He also expressed his love for the Sufi tradition and appreciated the performances that kept him captivated throughout the evening.

The Guest of Honour, Prof. Bechan Lal, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu congratulatedthe organisers on the superlative success of the programme. He expressed his gratitude in being invited to such a magical evening that truly enamoured and transported one  to another world. And expressed how such events keep Indian cultural heritage preserved.

In her formal welcome address, Prof. Satnam Kour acknowledged the initiative of Dr. Neeraj Sharma (Coordinator, The Music Club and SSVC) and Dr. Sadaf Shah (Coordinator, The Literary Club and Associate Professor, Department of English) in organising a two day workshop in music which culminated in the musical evening of November 9, 2023. She talked about the ethos of “Utsaah” and how it was being upheld by such events. She heartily congratulated eachand everyone who participated and helped make the programme a phenomenal success. She particularly applauded Mr. Mohit Kumar (Faculty, Vocal Department) and Mr. Rudra Sharma,  the talented artists from the Institute of Music and Fine Arts who conducted the workshop, and apprised the audience about the future course of activities and vision for  “Utsaah.”

  Among the key highlights of the day were the performances by Ms. Nighat Mir (Department of Urdu ), Ms. Navleen Kour (Department of Punjabi), Ms. Mavish Sharma (Department of MCA), Ms. Ranju Rani (Department of Physical Education), Ms. Amandeep KourNanda (Department of Psychology), Mr. Ishtiyaaq Ahmad (Department of Urdu), and Mr. SurajPerkash(Department of Environmental Sciences) who sang to the accompaniment of artists of instrumental music, namely, Mr. Mohit Kumar (Faculty, Vocal Department) and Mr. Rudra Sharma from the Institution of Music and Fine Arts (IMFA).  The programme was also studded by impromptu on-demand performances by Prof. Arvind Jasrotia and Dr. Neeraj Sharma (Coodinator, The Music Club and SSVC, University of Jammu).

The programme ended with the presenting of mementos to Prof. Pragati Kumar, Vice Chancellor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Prof. Bechan Lal, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu, and Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice- Chancellor, University of Jammu. The official vote of thanks for the occasion was offered by Dr. Neeraj Sharma, Coordinator, The Music Club and Special Secretary to Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu who expressed his gratitude towards every individual who contributed to the triumphant success of the programme, especially Mr. Rakesh Sharma and Dr. Amarjeet Singh who facilitated in providing equipment and  support from the Institute of Music and Fine Arts(IMFA), Department of Students’ Welfare, and the Department of English. And the  convivial occasion was graced by the presence ofProf. Prakash Anthal, Prof. Jasbir Singh, Prof. Meena Sharma, Prof. Sham Lal Narayan, Prof. Rashid Manhas, Prof. Arvind Jasrotia,Prof. Parmil Kumar, Prof. Suman Jamwal, Prof. Monika Sethi, Prof. Vishwaraksha Prof. S K Pandita. Dr. Daud Iqbal, , Dr.. Garima Gupta,Dr. Madhulika Singh,Dr. Pritam Singh , Dr Hema Gandotra, Dr. Ginny Dogra, Dr. Rakesh Chib, Dr. Sumita Sharma, Dr. Renoo Bhai, Dr. Amit Sharma, Dr. Akhilesh Sharma, Mr.  Rakesh Sharma, Dr. Vinay Thusso,  Dr. Amarjeet Singh,  Mr. Sumit Sharma., Ms. Mansi Mattoo, Mr. Ameet Tagotra, and Mr. Arif. A special mention must be made of Prof. S K Pandey. Prof. Mohd Kazim. Mr Jeevan Singh, Ajmer Singh, Irfan Goni, Dr Akhilesh Sharma, Dr Amit Sharma, Ifra Kak, and Rakesh Pali who were present on the occasion. The master of ceremonies for the occasion wasMr. Vikram Sahi and Ms. Amandeep Kour, the introduction to the celebrated Sufi artists, namely, Amir Khusro and Bulleh Shah was given by Ms. Srishti Sharma, Mr. Mahir Hussain, Ms. Aisha Talhat, and Ms. Aatiqa Malik.

As throngs of audience, who welcomed the holding of the musical evening turned up and enjoyed their hearts out they urged the organisers to arrange more such events in the future, in response both Dr. Neeraj Sharma (Coordinator, The Music Club and SSVC) and Dr. Sadaf Shah (Coordinator, The Literary Club and Associate Professor, Department of English) assured of literary and cultural engagement under the aegis of “Utsaah” in near future.