Mumbai gets its classical groove on

It's not just the elite who appreciate Western Classical music, even teenagers are willing to give the Kooks a miss for some good ol' Beethoven

If you Google 'Western Classical music scene in Mumbai' on the Internet, you'll come across several articles on how it is popular only among the Parsis and the Catholics.

One would log off with the impression that only the old fuddy-duddies are interested in Mozart, Beethoven, and the rest of the gang. But this trend and perception is a thing of the past as today, Mumbai is singing a different tune — that of Western Classical music (WCM). 

"There is a lot more interest among people of all ages towards Western Classical music. More people are learning it; more people are buying musical instruments, and the scene has never been better," says Anthony Gomes, one of the owners of Furtardo's — a leading musical instruments shop in South Mumbai.

WCM is not new to Mumbai by any means. With its rich cultural diversity, the city has always had a section of people who were actively interested in the form of music. However, till around five years ago, this section was limited to the Christian and Parsi communities.

But, in the last three to four years, the listeners have become more diverse, and the love for the music has spread across a wider section of the society. In fact, if you look at our very own Mumbai-based, Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI), the musicians comprise Hindus, Goans, South Indians — not a single Parsi.

"SOI is the first professionally created orchestra in India. The musicians here are paid and they attend music classes five days a week. So it is their profession and this is what we are trying to promote — Western Classical music as a profession rather than just a hobby," says Khusroo Santook, chairman, SOI.

A growing number of parents are also encouraging their children to take up an instrument — be it the piano, the violin or the viola. "The number of children interested in learning WCM is much more than it was earlier. Parents want their children to learn music as it is an extra-curricular activity which helps in honing their children's learning ability, concentration and grasping power," says Gini Dinshaw, WCM teacher and founder of the Bombay Chamber Orchestra.

However, Dinshaw doesn't believe that music should only be an extra-curricular activity. She selects students from her classes and they go on to become a part of the Bombay Chamber Orchestra. "We have a team of 65 people who constitute the orchestra. These are school children, college-goers and working people who love the music and devote time to it every Sunday morning besides managing their own professional and academic life. We organise four to five concerts every year. and also invite musicians from abroad," says Dinshaw.

WCM is a niche interest, and interest has to be cultivated in order to be able to enjoy it. A sound grounding in the basics is a must. Probably, this is the reason why most people are unable to take to it easily. "There is a huge difference between the number of people who listen to WCM and those who listen to genres like pop, rock, et al. Less than five per cent of Mumbaikars buy WCM albums," says Manish Boong, who works in a music store in the city.

But with an increasing number of concerts being organised in the city and more international performers coming to India, people are not only becoming aware of it, but are also developing a taste for the sound. "The audiences that come for the SOI concerts are an informed one. They know what they are listening to, they know what is a good performance and what is a bad performance. People in Mumbai are also open to music that is new to them and they adapt to it very well," says Zane Dalal, assistant conductor, SOI. 

But organising such concerts is not an easy task. Organisers have to obtain several certificates and go through a complicated procedure in order to gain approval to conduct a concert.

They also pay a huge amount of money in the form of tax to the government. "We even have to buy a 'censor certificate' in order to hold a Western music performance in Maharashtra. There is no such requirement for Indian music performances," says Dinshaw. In fact, Dinshaw was once asked by a person at the Mantralaya about her desire to promote Western Classical music. "It was suggested that I should organise something for Indian music. With this attitude, it is very difficult for this form of music to grow in the city," says Dinshaw.

In spite of all these barriers, the stage is set for WCM to flourish in Mumbai. The number of Indian musicians is growing and the scene is getting more and more active with each passing season.

The concerts are house-full and the sale of instruments is high. So, pay attention all you music lovers — it's time to listen to some serious, classy music, and dance to beat of Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik or wallow in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
s_avantika@dnaindia.net