In a momentous virtual ceremony today, Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi launched the - Pandit Jasraj Cultural Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation setup with the objective of Protecting, Developing and Promoting our National Heritage, Art & Culture of Bharat, which has tremendous potential.
Addressing the virtual event, Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said, “Aaj Pandit Jasraj ji ki janma jayanti ka punya avsar hai, is din Pandit Jasraj Cultural Foundation ki stapna ke is abhinav karya ke liye mai aap sabhi ko badhai deta hoon. Vishesh roop se mai Durga Jasraj ji ko aur Pandit Shaarangdev ji ko shubh kaamnaye deta hoon. Aapne aapke pitah ki prerna ko aur unki tapasya ko pure vishwa ke liye samarpit karne ka beda uthaya hai. Mujhe bhi kahi baar Pandit Jasraj ji ko sunne ka aur unse mulaakat karneka saubhaagya mila hai. Mujhe khushi hai ki unki shastriya viraasat ko aap sabh agaay badha rahe hai. Unki viraasat ko aane wali peediyo aur saadiyo ke liye surakshit kar rahe hai... viraasat bhi vikaas bhi.”
Founded by Durga Jasraj, actor, singer, music producer & promoter, and the daughter of Pandit Jasraj along with Neeraj Jaitly, the foundation aims to take forward the legacy and philosophy of the Legend Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj ji. It is their firm belief that India’s Traditional Music wealth should be showcased and popularised in all its elements and glory, collating various creative aspects and present it in a contemporary manner without diluting the core. It is indeed a mammoth & delicate task, which will be the Creative compass of the Foundation.
The Pandit Jasraj Cultural Foundation will action 4 Programmes initially, viz. Sa – Re – Ga – Ma
Sa - Preservation & Promotion of Traditional Music… Musicians of all hues and genres will be featured in international standard recording sessions and video productions, curating large multi-genre Music festivals globally, augmentation of Performing Arts facilities across the country, and Mentoring young talent across Vocal, Instrumental & Percussion.
Re - Sustainable Livelihoods… creating an ecosystem of Traditional Instrument Makers and Musicians for enabling skill-based employment opportunities , maximising their potential in various roles utilising their core Talent.
Ga - Artistes’ Welfare… The foundation will provide monetary help to artists from all walks of life for timely Medical aid & Insurance.
Ma - Education and R&D… Develop and introduce Certificate, Diploma, and Degree courses across Traditional Bharatiya Music and Sanskrit language, along with R&D initiatives.
The Foundation is blessed to have as it’s official Mentors, the Legendary – Pt. Shivkumar Sharma, Padma Vibhushan; Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Padma Vibhushan; Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Padma Vibhushan; Dr. L Subramaniam, Padma Bhushan; Dr. N Rajam, Padma Bhushan; Anup Jalota, Padma Shri.
Present at the Virtual launch event were Anup Jalota ji, Maestro Niladri Kumar and Vikram Mehra MD – Saregama, and they engaged in an enthralling conversation with Durga Jasraj about important aspects that the Foundation will be focussing on.
Durga Jasraj, Co-Founder of Pandit Jasraj Cultural Foundation said, “I feel truly blessed that honorable Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modiji is launching the Pandit Jasraj Cultural Foundation on the 92nd Birth Anniversary of Bapuji. The vision that we have laid down for the foundation is something he envisaged. It is an effort to uplift and support, the music community, instrument makers belonging to different genres of music, and the generation ahead. Through this, we are trying to give this sector its due recognition and preserve the cultural heritage of our country. We are hoping that all of us together can make that one big difference. I and Neeraj Jaitly, who has co-founded this foundation, feel extremely privileged and blessed to be working with some of the great luminaries from the music world like Hari Prasad Chaurasia Ji, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma Ji, Anup Jalota Ji, Dr. L Subramaniam, D.r N Rajan and many other stalwarts such as MK Singh who is the current chairman of 15th finance commission of Bharat. These all are our guiding forces and strength to achieve the goal we have envisioned as a family. Last but not the least, my brother Shaaranj Dev and my mother Madhura Pandit Jasraj. I'm extremely grateful for Honourable Prime Minister Shri Modiji, who has made the event so successful using technology in these trying times, and also Bhajan Samrat, Anup Jalota Ji, and Vikram Mehra, MD, Sa Re Ga Ma who have attended this event. I seek all your prays and blessings. Jai Hind.”
Neeraj Jaitly, Co-Founder of Pandit Jasraj Cultural Foundation said, “Our efforts towards sustained and focussed development of the great wealth of Bharat’s Cultural Heritage resources will result in a huge economic impact by preserving & creating our country’s Cultural Intellectual Property, generating sustainable employment, and developing a structure for the Traditional Music Sector.”
The Advisory Board consists of NK Singh – Chairman, 15th Finance Commission and President, Institute of Economic Growth; Mukul Mudgal – Former Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court; Jaimin Bhatt – Group CFO, Kotak Mahindra Bank; Jayesh Ranjan, IAS – Principal Secretary Industries, Government of Telangana; Anjani Kumar, IPS – Director General ACB, Telangana; Bhagyesh Jha – Former Culture Secretary, Government of Gujarat; Vikram Mehra – MD, Saregama India Ltd.
The Cultural Advisory Board consists of leading people from all walks of life - Goswamy Shyam Manohar ji; Bhagwat Acharya Venu Gopal Goswami ji; Shaarangdev Pandit – Son of Pandit Jasraj & Music Composer; Pandit Dinesh – Music Producer & Percussionist; Jatin Pandit – Music Composer; Lalit Pandit – Music Composer; Niladri Kumar – Musician; Kailash Kher – Musician; Salim Merchant – Music Composer; Priya Rana – Journalist; Nitya Singh – Royal family of Sanand, Gujarat.