Som Dutt Battu, a resident of Exclusive Floors, is an 87-year-old Classical and Folk Singer from the mountains of Himachal. His career spans over 7 decades. He was born in Jasur, Kangra, in 1937. He has inherited his interest from his father and his maternal uncle. However, acing up his game was not an easy journey.
Over these years his passion and devotion for music has only grown with no leaps and bounds. Music for him is food for his soul that has kept him going strong even at this advanced age.
In 1958, he took up a government job as a music teacher and for 38 years he taught in various colleges in Himachal. Apart from his career as a music teacher, he also travelled to various countries like the UK, the US, the West Indies, Nigeria and Pakistan for concerts under the aegis of the ICCR (Indian Council of Cultural Relations) as their very own ‘Outstanding Artiste’.
Som Dutt Battu documented the folk music of the state to save it from slipping away forever. For his decades-long research in folk music and promotion, he was conferred the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2018.
He says- “I have a lot of confidence in the current folk singers. They are doing very well. The only thing that I don’t like is the mixing of Hindi songs with folk songs. It is adulteration and takes away from the originality of folk songs,”
Som Dutt Battu still devotes his time to his daily practice and also believes in sharing his profound insight with his students.
We are truly honoured to have such a distinctive and passionate personality residing amongst us at DLF Exclusive floors. We are all so proud of him and congratulate him for this honour granted to him.
