Indian composer plays to ovation at CWG concert

Just as the medal tally has for the Indian contingent at the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow has steadily begun to rise, there is another frontier where Indian talent has shown its presence: music.

Michael Makhal's composition 'Spirit of India' enthralled guests at a CWG music concert held on Thursday night, where he was welcomed with a standing ovation. The 37-year-old music composer was, thus, a grand entry into the exclusive preserve of European composers — official concerts of the past CWG events.

Kolkata-born Makhal, a Western Classical (Symphonic) music composer, had sent his entry to the CWG Organising Committee in early 2013, following an announcement inviting musical compositions from composers under the age of 40 years, to be played on the opening night of the Games in a special commemorative concert. Makhal's composition was among the other 27 entries, announced in October last year, from which the jury selected three entries — one each from Scotland, India and Kenya for the opening night.

Hailing from a family of musicians from Kolkata, Makhal started his musical career with the Delhi Symphony Orchestra when he was barely 12. He worked his way up and soon represented the Orchestra in a tour of Japan in 2007. Upon his return to India, Makhal moved to Hyderabad to become a teacher in European music, and then joined as a musician with the local orchestra of the Telugu film industry.

A chance meeting with an NRI, who was producing a feature film, gave Makhal his first major break as a film composer, paving the way for more assignments. He also composed the music for Jennifer Alphonse's short film 'Strangerssss', starring actor Pitobash Tripathy and Russian actress Nesa, that premiered at Cannes this year.