There is always a hush when Coomi Wadia walks on to a stage. Her greying hair tied in a sedate bun, dressed in a sari, she has dignity and poise that belies her 84 years. The silence that greets her is one of respect and is broken only when she raises the baton and coaxes her choir into melodious harmony.
This is the Paranjoti Academy Chorus (PAC), one of India’s oldest and possibly best choral group. Wielding the baton and shaping it into a world renowned choir is Wadia, who completes half a century as conductor this year. In celebration, the PAC will perform a concert featuring Mozart’s Requiem and Coronation Mass along with the SOI Chamber Orchestra and soloists Valentina Marghinotti, Margherita Tani, Mezzo-Soprano, Sorab Wadia and Eugenio Di Lieto, Bass.
The beginning
Wadia’s association with PAC goes back to the beginning of the group. Dr. Victor Paranjoti founded Bombay Amateur Light Opera Sabha (BALOS) in 1956, from which the Paranjoti Chorus was formed in 1960. Wadia, then a singer in the group, was Paranjoti’s protégé. She would step in as conductor whenever Paranjoti was away. “Dr Victor was a Western Music critic for the newspapers and would have to attend concerts quite frequently. Many a times, these occasions would clash with our rehearsals. He had the faith in me and would request me to take over. This gave me a lot of training,” says Wadia. “When he suddenly passed away due to a heart attack, the choir turned to me to be the conductor and carry on his work. Thus, in 1967, I began my career as a conductor.”
It was difficult initially, stepping into his shoes. “For the choir too, it was a little tough in the beginning for them to accept me on the other side and a few people even left. But gradually the choir gave me tremendous support,” she says. This support has allowed Wadia the chance to make PAC one of India’s most well-known choirs, performing around the world too. They are known for a repertoire that includes 16th century music, works by contemporary composers, spirituals and folk songs in 22 languages, and for singing a capella.
One of Wadia’s most cherished experiences has been at the Festival of the Sister Cities of Stuttgart in 1981. “It was an honour to be chosen from conductors from all over the world, to conduct the finale with 14 choirs and 600 singers,” she recalls.
Mastering perfection
If there is one thing that Wadia hasn’t compromised on through all the national and international performances is her dedication to perfection and attention to detail. Everyone she was worked with will attest to this fact. Perfectionist is the one word they all use to describe her. “Her focus is on getting things just right. She will be at it till we get there. It is not always easy because many of us don’t come in with knowledge of music. It can get difficult for us but, the reward is always satisfying,” says Priya Aga, 40, a soprano singer at PAC for ten years.
High soprano singer Fiona Miranda, 52, calls Wadia an ‘imposing lady with poise’, someone who is extremely punctual and will always be there 15 minutes before time for rehearsal. But it is Wadia’s attention to details that impresses her the most. “These are little details that an audience member won’t notice. She does and makes sure to correct you so that the choir sounds absolutely perfect,” she says. Wadia’s attention to details manifests itself in many ways: getting the diction and pronunciation right especially when the choir sings in another language. She researches the music and if needed, takes outside help to ensure they get the notes and tone correct.
Bass singer Robert Clemens, 63, joined PAC because he had heard so much about Wadia being a perfectionist that he wanted to see it for himself. “I haven’t been let down on that score. That’s what keeps her going, the ability to focus on the music and not on people,” he says. Clemens has been with the choir for 25 years while Miranda scores 12 years at PAC. It is not uncommon to find members who have been with Wadia from the beginning. The choir is like their second home.
Playing to an audience
PAC regularly travels the world, performing in little towns and on big stages in Europe, USA, the Middle East, Japan, Philippines and South Korea. One trait that has held Wadia in good stead has been her ability to understand an audience and tailor the performance accordingly.
Clemens calls it being ‘audience savvy’ and to illustrate, narrates an incident. “We were in this small town in Spain to perform at the town square. Before us, a hop band had people swinging and jiving in the streets with their music. I kept wondering what how we could top that with our style of music; would we put people to sleep? We were to perform this track called ‘John Saw the Number’. Coomi changed the timing and beat and transformed it in such a way, by the end, we had people moving to the music and singing along. That’s when I saw how she could turn a piece of music because she understands music and the audience,” he says.
It’s this ability of hers that ensures that heads turn whenever the PAC performs. “We have sung across the world and performed with so many maestros. They are always impressed with the group because we go completely prepared. In Coomi’s words, ‘I will not let my choir go there unprepared’,” adds Miranda. In these 50 years, Wadia has never missed a rehearsal or a performance. “I am always there,” she says, adding that her husband has always been supportive and guided her through this journey.
Does she miss singing? “No. Being a conductor is far more challenging and fulfilling,” she emphasises.
Mozart’s Requiem, a concert to celebrate Coomi Wadia’s 50 years as conductor PAC will be held at 7 p.m. at the Tata Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point, at 7 p.m.
