 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Oct 17: In a tragic loss for the music fraternity, the Institute of Music and Fine Arts mourned the passing of renowned Dholak maestro Darbari Lal, who passed away early this morning. His legacy has deeply influenced the musical landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, and he was widely regarded as one of the finest Dholak players in the region, celebrated for his unmatched skill and dedication to traditional music.
Darbari Lal's sudden demise has left his family, friends, students, and the entire artistic community in shock. Throughout his life, he dedicated himself to nurturing the art of percussion, playing an integral role in countless musical performances and training several generations of musicians. His contributions spanned both classical and folk traditions, making him a key figure in preserving and promoting the region's rich musical heritage.
Although Darbari Lal was closely associated with the Sangeet and Kala Sansthan, his influence was felt strongly within the Institute of Music and Fine Arts as well. In response to the devastating news, Sunil Raina, senior faculty member and sitar maestro at the Institute of Music and Fine Arts, expressed deep sorrow. "Today we lost not just a musician but a beacon of rhythm and soul. Darbari Lal's Dholak had a heartbeat of its own, and it will be greatly missed," Raina said.
The Institute of Music and Fine Arts honored Darbari Lal's memory with a two-minute silence observed by the faculty and students. Several faculty members, including Suraj Singh, Dr. Sumit Madan, Dr. Milan Sharma, Rohit Verma, Bindu Sharma, Vijay Kumar, Rajkumar Sharma, Palak, Rachita Dutta, Prabhat Bali, Amit Anand, Shivani Kapoor, Mohit Kumar and Rajesh Kumar along with many others, expressed their grief, remembering Darbari Lal's unwavering passion and his ability to inspire young talents. His humility, deep love for music, and dedication to mentoring the next generation of musicians left an indelible mark on all who knew him.
Darbari Lal's passing marks the end of an era in Jammu's music scene. His rhythms and teachings will continue to resonate in the hearts of those who knew him, and his legacy will live on through the music he cherished. The Institute of Music and Fine Arts joins the entire community of musicians, students, and lovers of traditional music in paying tribute to a true maestro. His absence will be deeply felt, but his contributions to the world of music will never be forgotten. |
