Western classical music has historically struggled to find a place in India, a country that has its own vibrant tradition of classical music. By Khushita Vasant | WSJ Khushroo N. Suntook, chairman of Mumbai’s National Centre for Performing Arts, has been trying to change that. In 2004, after attending a concert in London, Mr. Suntook… Continue reading India’s Only Symphony Orchestra
Category: Music
Firoz Rustomji Batliwala: Remembering the Poet on his Death Centenary
The following article was sent to us via email. It is written by Marzban Giara The music maestro who composed the Parsi anthem Chhaiye Ame Jarthosti to the tune of Good Bye My Blue Bell byMarzban Jamshedji Giara How many of us know that he also composed the popular songs such as Khudavind O Khavind,… Continue reading Firoz Rustomji Batliwala: Remembering the Poet on his Death Centenary
Zubin Mehta Reminisces About the Shah of Iran’s Invitation to Parsis
Darius Kadivar over at Iranian.com writes about legendary conductor Zubin Mehta meeting the Shah of Iran in 1967. The Shah of Iran personally asked Zubin to spread the word that Parsis were welcome back to Iran. Years later Zubin narrates that incident on a TV interview while on his trip to India. See video… Continue reading Zubin Mehta Reminisces About the Shah of Iran’s Invitation to Parsis
The Freddie Mercury we didn’t know
To his legions of fans, Freddie Mercury was a flamboyant, and very British, rock star. But in the background was a much more complex sense of identity, summed up by one picture, a black and white image of a baby called Farrokh Bulsara smiling in his pram, watched over by an African nanny in the… Continue reading The Freddie Mercury we didn’t know
A Treasure Chest For An Opera House
Jamshed Bhabha’s NCPA will remain on song thanks to a generous endowment. Until a few years ago, at most concerts held at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai, two plum seats were sacrosanct. A few minutes before the curtains went up, a diminutive man would take his place in that seat… Continue reading A Treasure Chest For An Opera House
Freddie Mercury To Be Honoured At Asian Awards
The Queen star will be given a special Founders Award… Paying tribute to Freddie Mercury on what would have been his 65th Birthday this year, The Asian Awards will honour Freddie’s life and outstanding contribution to music on 18th October, at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London. Farrokh Bulsara, known to the world as the… Continue reading Freddie Mercury To Be Honoured At Asian Awards
Zubin Mehta: Variations of Happy Birthday
Zubin Mehta’s variations on the theme of "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" He conducts the orchestra to play the Happy Birthday song in the style of the following composers: Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Wagner, and then in famous composition styles: Viennese, New Orleans, Hungarian. Simply brilliant.
Freddie Mercury: The world’s first Indian rock star
India and its ancient culture have scarcely any connection to Western pop-rock music (save for, perhaps, George Harrison’s infatuation with Hinduism and The Beatles’ brief flirtation with India). However, one of the greatest, most popular and iconic rock-and-roll stars of all-time was of Indian descent – Freddie Mercury, the charismatic (some would sneer over-theatrical and… Continue reading Freddie Mercury: The world’s first Indian rock star
Peenaz Masani: The Ghazal Queen
It is refreshing to speak to ghazal exponent Penaz Masani who is steeped in tradition, says Monarose Sheila Pereira Padmashree recipient Penaz Masani is a ghazal singer who has carved a niche for herself. She performs in India and abroad and her mellifluous voice leaves the audience spellbound. She is blessed with a glorious voice,… Continue reading Peenaz Masani: The Ghazal Queen
