Come Friday, complex works by some of the greatest composers of Western Classical music will be brought to life by deft fingers that have been playing Chopin, Ravel, Beethoven, Schubert, Bartok and Martinu for at least a decade
Anuvrat Choudhary and Ridhima Rele will perform Western Classical compositions before Mumbai audiences for the first time. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
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Come Friday, complex works by some of the greatest composers of Western Classical music will be brought to life by deft fingers that have been playing Chopin, Ravel, Beethoven, Schubert, Bartok and Martinu for at least a decade. Educational qualifications in place — Trinity College London's Grade 8 is one of the many examinations they have cleared — Ridhima Rele and Anuvrat Choudhary have also performed in Pune, Goa and Delhi. Rele recently turned 25, while Choudhary, 17, is still waiting for his 12th standard result. The promising pianists will perform at the Young Talent Concert series, an initiative of the Stop Gaps Cultural Academy and the NCPA.
Entering its 28th edition this year, the series has played a pivotal role in providing a platform to up-and-coming musicians from across India, and of Indian origin, in the age group of 15 to 30. Budding Brigade is another such initiative of the academy for talented children between five and 15 years of age. "Twenty-eight years ago, there was no platform for budding artists in Mumbai, especially when it came to performing before an audience. We felt that we needed to give young people a chance to be discovered," says Alfred J D'Souza, conductor of Stop-Gaps Choral Ensemble that led to the formation of the cultural academy. "The city's audiences are very knowledgeable and have been supportive throughout," he adds.
Early to rise
Rele began piano lessons when she was six. "My father had learnt to play the tabla at a young age and was passionate about his daughters picking up a musical instrument," shares the Andheri resident. Gurgaon-based Choudhary has a lot to thank his father for, too. "My father believes that everybody should be exposed to good music to some degree," shares the young pianist, who began his journey with a portable keyboard and harmonium, and moved to structured piano lessons when he was in Class four.
Choudhary conducts the 50-member school orchestra; Rele has been performing at Pop concerts across the city
"Finding the right teacher is crucial," says Rele, who has been a piano teacher for four years now. Throughout her schooling years, she would travel to Dadar and later to Grant Road for her piano lessons, which she still continues. Meanwhile, Choudhary was earlier enrolled with a Gurgaon music institute, and was able to continue his training under the tutelage of his music teacher at Doon School, where he was also the school music captain and conducted a 50-member orchestra.
Alfred J D'Souza (left) during a rehearsal for a Stop Gaps event. A similar concert for young musicians has been planned later in August
Way forward
Unlike many children who take up music as a hobby that takes a back seat later, both the pianists are clear about pursuing a career in music. Choudhary wants to follow his dream of becoming a concert pianist, and Rele will be studying at the Allegro Vivo academy in Vienna this August.
Ask them about the reception of Western Classical music in India and the response we get is encouraging. "While performance spaces remain limited, there is a growing interest in the genre. I come across many students keen on taking it up seriously," shares Rele. "A lot of people of my age are more interested in Pop and Electronic music, but there is also a good number of them with whom I can have a spirited discussion on the Classical tradition," Choudhary adds.
D'Souza agrees, "We have come a long, long way. Earlier, those interested in Western Classical music in Mumbai usually came from the Christian and Parsi communities, but today, the group is varied." He adds, "While Mumbai may offer the best opportunities, some of the most promising musicians come from outside the city. It's a truly vibrant scene out there." That's music to our ears.
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