Delhiites were treated to a mesmerizing evening of western classical music as maestro Zubin Mehta took to the stage to conduct the Australian World Orchestra, which was joined by soprano Greta Bradman (granddaughter of cricketer Don Bradman) at a concert held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Friday evening. A second performance will follow on Saturday evening.
The concert was the first among various cultural exchanges arising from the Memorandum of Understanding on Arts and Culture that India and Australia signed last year.
Speaking before the concert, Zubin said that he was happy to be back in Delhi after 10 years with a world-class orchestra that comprised 90 superb musicians. But he said that he was upset to learn that the national Capital did not have a concert hall to enjoy the “mystical” performance, and a stadium (the Weightlifting stadium) had to be converted into a hall. “Indians have achieved tremendous success across the world and the country is rising like a rocket, but it is a shame that there is no proper concert hall that can be used for western as well as Indian classical music.” Listening to this, Minister for Tourism and Culture Kapil Mishra said they would definitely take up the suggestion and build a concert hall in Delhi.
Responding to a question about intellectuals and artists returning State awards, Zubin called it a major movement. But he did add that he failed to understand why the awards were being returned. He said that he would like to speak to some of them and understand why they were doing so. “I respect them for what they are doing since they are intellectuals. On the other hand, I read what the government ministers are saying. I think both parties should meet and talk about their grievances. There should not be a gap in communication,” Zubin said.
Speaking about how music can build bridges between India and Pakistan, he said he had conducted concerts in many areas of conflict and seen the power it wields in getting two conflicting sides to forget the difference and smile, even if it is for a while. “It may not alter history, but I wait for the day I can go, maybe with an Indian orchestra, and play in Pakistan and do something symbolic,” Zubin said.
The exchange will continue next year with the Indian government organising a Festival of India in Australia, which will provide the Australian audience an opportunity to engage in the best of classical and contemporary Indian culture.
