Kolkata, Jan 28: In a momentous virtual ceremony Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Pandit Jasraj Cultural Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation set up to protect, develop and promote the National Heritage, Art & Culture of India. Addressing the event, Prime Minister said, “Today, on the birth anniversary of Pandit Jasraj, I am proud to launch Pandit Jasraj Cultural Foundation. I especially want to congratulate Durga Jasraj and Pandit Shaaranj Dev. I have had the opportunity to meet Pandit Ji and listen to his soulful music several times. No compliment is enough for you to carry on the tradition of his music. The foundation’s commitment to passing on Pandit Ji’s legacy to future generations is unprecedented.” Founded by Durga Jasraj, actor, singer, music producer and promoter and the daughter of Pandit Jasraj along with Neeraj Jaitly, the foundation aims to take forward the legacy and philosophy of the legendary Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj Ji. It is their firm belief that the Traditional Music is the wealth of our country and should be showcased and popularised in all its elements and glory, collating various creative aspects and presenting it in a contemporary manner without diluting the core. The Pandit Jasraj Cultural Foundation will action 4 Programmes initially, viz. Sa – Re – Ga – Ma. Sa – Preservation and 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 and percussion. Re – Creating sustainable livelihood, an ecosystem of traditional instrument makers and musicians for enabling skill-based employment opportunities, maximising their potential in various roles and utilising their core talent. Ga – Artistes’ welfare. The foundation will provide monetary help to artists from all walks of life for timely Medical aid and Insurance. Ma – Education and R&D. Develop and introduce Certificate, Diploma and Degree courses across traditional Indian Music and Sanskrit language, along with R&D initiatives. The Foundation is blessed to have as its official Mentors, the legendary Padma Vibhushan Pt. Shivkumar Sharma, Padma Vibhushan Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Padma Vibhushan Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Padma Bhushan Dr L Subramaniam, Padma Bhushan Dr N Rajam, Padma Shri Anup Jalota. Present at the launch event were Anup Jalota, 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 focusing on. Durga Jasraj, Co-Founder of Pandit Jasraj Cultural Foundation said, “I feel truly blessed that our Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji 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 India. 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.” Neeraj Jaitly, Co-Founder of Pandit Jasraj Cultural Foundation said, “Our efforts towards sustained and focussed development of the great wealth of India’s Cultural Heritage resources will result in a huge economic impact by preserving and creating our country’s Cultural Intellectual Property, generating sustainable employment, and developing a structure for the Traditional Music Sector.” (UNI)