Street performances gaining ground

As you walk along Churchgate station, apart from the hustle and bustle of the city, you may also hear the unexpected sound of classical violin. Do not be surprised. Instead, thank the National Streets for Performing Arts (NSPA), an organisation started by renowned fund manager Ajit Dayal. NSPA creates opportunities for budding musicians to showcase their talent at public yet unorthodox locations like parks and train stations.

"Street musicians were popular in Mumbai till the late 1980s. We would pay the performers with a combination of money, food and clothes. As the price of real estate skyrocketed, the musicians could no longer live on variable income. Therefore, they left music to take up regular office jobs," explains Dayal. He adds, "Mumbai lost its soul. NSPA pays musicians and other artists a salary to perform in public places and bring smiles to people. By giving musicians a steady income, it helps the performers to boost their earnings from music." Started in 2012, with just 11 artists, the organisation now delights around 35,000 commuters a week.

"It is a completely unique experience," says Roger Mendonca, 21-year-old classical violinist. Mendonca has performed for NSPA on several occasions, at venues that include Churchgate and Bandra railway stations, and the Horniman Circle Garden. He says, "At first, I was apprehensive about playing on the street but you get used to it. You never know whether your performance will go well or not, but commuters usually stop by and we receive a positive response. In India, people are not used to seeing a violinist play on the road!"

If you are planning to join NSPA, there is probably one thing you should know. "The attempt is to promote and publicise folk and lesser-known art forms in the public arena," share Shrishti and Anisha, members of Team NSPAwaale, as they refer to themselves. "We have a no-Bollywood policy!"

To know more on NSPA and its initiative, log on to www.nspa.in