Now Reading: Symphony Orchestra of India marks 20 years against odds
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Symphony Orchestra of India marks 20 years against odds
The Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a special two-week programme at the NCPA in Mumbai from August 16 to 30, Rolling Stone India reports. Founded in…
The Story in Brief
The Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a special two-week programme at the NCPA in Mumbai from August 16 to 30, Rolling Stone India reports. Founded in 2006, the SOI was the dream of NCPA chairman Khushroo Suntook, who faced widespread scepticism about creating a world-class symphony orchestra in India.
Suntook enlisted Kazakh violinist Marat Bisengaliev to help audition and train local musicians. Over time, Indian players were inducted, and the SOI now runs a school for young talent. Suntook says other cities lack concert halls, making replication difficult.
The Indian Opinion
Some narratives claim India lacks the audience or talent for Western classical music. The SOI's 20-year run proves otherwise, but Khushroo Suntook's own words point to a harder truth: no other Indian city has a dedicated concert hall. Without venues, neither passion nor training can build an orchestra. The real test won't be whether Mumbai can sustain the SOI, but whether cities like Delhi or Bengaluru will invest in proper auditoria first.
Source: rollingstoneindia.com
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