Pt. Yash Paul 'Sagun Piya'
Pt. Yash Paul is a traditional and eminent performing artiste, in the field of Hindustani classical vocal music. He was awarded “The Top Grade” by the directorate general All India Radio Ministry of I&B – Govt. of India New Delhi. He is an affectionately respected adored senior most, performing artiste from this region. He is an artiste of par excellence and a restless innovatory genius. He is a dedicated educationist as well. He has made a signal contribution to the training of young vocalists, many of whom have achieved high distinction in this part of the country. He has innovated special features of his system of training to benefit the learners. He established his reputation as a popular performing artiste, composer and teacher. Recently, one of his students has been awarded the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akadmi award by the president of India of July6, 2003 at Bombay
*Pt. Yash Paul "Sagun-Piya" He has never tried to commercialize his art rather he decided to work for the preservation of this traditional art of classical vocal music, for its popularity and training of the young generation. He created lot of understanding and love for music amongst the masses through his performances, music workshops and teaching medium as well. He contributed his all efforts facilities and opportunities to create awareness and popularize classical form of vocal music and brighten its future among younger generation. He is a man of motivation, commitments, strength, determination, character and optimism. He has been fully devoted to music since his very tender age. He has made very significant contributions in the field of Hindustani classical vocal music.
1937 BIRTH: He was born in Gujranwala in 1937. His parents and ancestors were lovers and connoisseurs of Music. This way Pt. Yash Paul’s childhood was blessed with an advantage having a ‘musical ambience’ around him. The presence pf galaxy of great performers and Ustads not only influenced him but also inspired him develop his remarkable sense and taste for music. He could appreciate the performances, their style and art. After the partition his parents migrated to India and got settled in Jalandhar, where he was initiated into music seriously under the care and training of worthy Guru Pt. Kasturilal ji 'Jassra', who himself was the disciple of Late Ustad Chhotte Ghulam Ali Khan Saheb of Lahore.
TRAINING AND GROOMING: He was greatly influenced by the great performers and Ustads like Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan Saheb, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Saheb, Pt. Malikarjan Mansoor Ji. Ultimately he received systematic and proper training and grooming from the following great gurus and enriched his knowledge:- Late Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan Saheb "Pran Piya". Late Ustad Yunus Hussain Khan Saheb "Darpan". Late Ustad Anwaar Hussain Khan Saheb ".....". Late Ustad Latafat Hussain Khan Saheb "Prem Das". Late Ustad Sharafat Hussain Khan Saheb "Prem Rang". Late Ustad Azmat Hussain Khan Saheb.
PERFORMING CAREER:1948: He made his debut in vocal classical music from the stage of “Swami Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan” Devi Talab Jalanchar in 1948. Since then he continuously performed from this stage for about 20 years. During the period of 55 years he has given numerous public performances, radio programmes and participated in National Programmes and Radio Sangeet Samelans of Akashvani and Doordarshan. His performances in India and abroad have been widely appreciated.
1952: ASSOCIATION WITH ALL INDIA RADIO (AKASHVANI): He has been associated with All India Radio Jalandhar since 1952 when he was selected as a visiting artiste to broadcast his programmes from the station. Presently he is a Top Grade artiste of Akashvani and Doordarshan Jalandhar.
MUSIC COMPETITIONS: As a student he was very popular amongst the friends, teachers and teaching institutions. He stood first in music amongst all schools of Jalandhar district in 1953 and 1954. He continuously, stood first in music at the Panjab University Youth Festival from 1955, 56 and 1957. He represented the Panjab University at Inter University Youth Festival - Delhi and was declared the ‘highly commended’ in the category of classical vocal music amongst all the Universities of the country.
1957 UNIVERSITY COLOUR: He was awarded the University color in 1957 for his outstanding achievements and the honor & glory won for the University. Then it was a single Panjab University of post independence undivided Panjab.
1962 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP: He was awarded the National Scholarship by the Ministry Of Education- Govt. Of India - New Delhi. He made the best use of this rare opportunity and received advanced, professional and perfect training from his great paramount gurus the late Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan Saheb and late Ustad Yunus Hussain Khan Saheb.
SPECIALITIES: 1. He was a creative artiste with his own individual identity. He is a great admirer of the traditional music values of the famous Agra Gharana. He sings in the style of his mentors with his own individual aesthetic insight, creative ability and artistic expression making highly enjoyable listening. His musicianship gives the evidence of his “Gharanedaar-Taleem” and the tradition as well.
2. The special feature of his Khayal singing are his resonant and deep mellow voice, executive straightforwardness, intonational perfection, intuitive insight, aesthetic ingenuity, creative vitality, Purity of raga, an attractive process of “raga-vistaar”, multi dimensional embellishment of the complete text of the composition with melodic and rhythmic excellence.
AS A COMPOSER AND A POET: He is an excellent composer in his own right. He has not only rendered a great service to the practical aspect of Hindustani classical vocal music with his compositions but has also enriched the sahiteyak paksh as well with the lyrics of his compositions. He has composed more than three hundred original compositions, which have been diligently based upon the traditional values of the style and purity of the ragas. He has composed in rare and common ragas with his pen name “SAGUN PIYA”. The lyrics of his compositions are based upon Love, Nature, Human Relationships, Devotions and Philosophy irrespective to any religion and creed. His compositions are very popular amongst the performers, teachers and students as well.
EDUCATIONIST: He has been in the field of music as a student, performer and educationist for the last 56 years. He is the founder and former chairman of the Departments of music of MCM DAV College for women Chandigarh & Punjab University Chandigarh-14 respectively. Being the senior most member of the faculties, he associated himself with their growth through academic and performing medium throughout for so many years. He has trained a very large number of persons in the field of music. Many of them have become performing artists in their own right and many have become teachers, lecturers and chairpersons in the departments of music in different schools, colleges and universities of the country. As a creative & traditional artiste he has the following special interests: • Traditions and Trends in Khayal Singing • Voice Culture, Aesthetics, Characteristics and vocal techniques of Agra Gharana Gayeki • The concept of composition and its importance in practical music • Expansion of knowledge of vocal classical music through performances and teaching medium. • Expert guidance to the younger generation.
ASSOCIATIONS:
- He is a member of so many cultural organizations and societies of the region.
- He is the secretary of “Bhairavi” a registered society of Chandigarh devoted to the performance and promotion of music.
- He has served as the Vice-Chairman of Punjab Sangeet Natak Academy-sector 16-Chandigarh for two terms.
AWARD OF HONOUR AND HONORIFIC TITLE:
- “A DEDICATED EDUCATIONIST” by Shaheed Memorial Service Society (REGD.) Ludhiana.
- “SANGEET SUMERU” by Pracheen Kala Kendra Chandigarh.
- “STATE AWARD 2003” by the CM Punjab of 15 August, 2003 at Kapurthala.
- 4. “SANGEET SHIROMANI” award by Prasheen Kala Kendra. Chandigarh. on 13th August. 2004. By Dr. AR Kidwai, Governor of Haryana. (India)
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