Mumbai: The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai resonated with the music of various artistes from South Asian countries such as India, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the debut concert of South Asian Symphony Orchestra, titled Chiragh, on April 26.
The concert was organised by South Asian Symphony Foundation (SASF) and is the brainchild of former Foreign Secretary, Nirupama Rao. Through South Asian Symphony Orchestra (SASO), Rao aims to promote peace, harmony, 'fraternal ties and mutual understanding' among the South Asian countries by bringing the musicians of the region together. SASO came together in July 2018 and is a part of South Asian Symphony Foundation (SASF), founded by the ex-Foreign Secretary, and her husband, Sudhakar Rao.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, who was the chief guest of the event, praised Rao's efforts to bring peace to the region through music. Naidu said, "I believe that the South Asian Symphony Orchestra, through its concert will light the way forward so that cultural collaborations and dialogues existing for long among South Asian countries can be further strengthened."
"South Asia needs to be more integrated, economically, and culturally. Peace is a prerequisite for progress and happiness," he added. The event was also attended by Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao and several other dignitaries.
Before Chiragh began, a moment of silence was observed to pay respects to the victims of the Sri Lankan terror attacks. Chiragh started with an opening address by Rao who said, "We are here to celebrate the idea of South Asia -- a region whose sons and daughters we are, sharing the same atmospheric space, mountains and rivers, customs and folklore, music and artistic traditions."
The concert, which was slightly over 90-minutes long, began with an invocation song, Maitreem Bhajata sung by Carnatic vocalist Surmukhi. The orchestra masterfully played classical compositions such as Ludwig Van Beethoven's Egmont Overture, Antonin Dvorak's Song to the Moon from Rusalka, Felicien -Cesar David's Sous Le Feuillage from Lalla Roukh. However, what pleased the crowd most were two original compositions, which debuted in Chiragh.
Humsafar: A Musical Journey Through South Asia by Lauren Braithwaite, was an eclectic mix of traditional as well as popular music of South Asia. From Bhutanese song Ta Zee Ling to Sri Lankan number Aiyandiye, Bengali folksong, Allah Megh De Pani De and the Bollywood classic track Mera Joota Hai Japaniwere threaded together beautifully in orchestral music by Braithwaite. Another brilliant original composition was Bhadke by Kamala Sankaram, which was inspired by 1950's Mumbai films and songs like the Bollywood classic number Shola Jo Bhadke. The Orchestra was conducted by Viswa Subbaraman, and Tharanga Goonetilleke, a critically acclaimed Soprano, sang elegantly during the evening.
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