The South Asian Symphony Foundation was launched in Bangalore by its founder, Nirupama Menon Rao with Songs of Peace, Songs Sung True , hosted by the Shangri-La Hotel. Inspired by her familiarity with the Sri Lankan western music scene during her tenures in that country, Nirupama has established SASF to create opportunities for young talented musicians in South Asia.
Since the Foundation’s aim is musical, it was deservedly supported by Bangalore’s two leading western music groups, the International Music and Arts Society and Bangalore School of Music. And Furtados’ unfailing support in the loan of musical instruments, has made most of this city’s western music concerts possible.
Having served in various official capacities in the region, Rao’s experiences prompted her belief that these countries have much in common and her aim is to promote peace and understanding through music, “Our minds as one, walking the paths of peace”. Importantly, the cooperation needed to perform in an orchestra necessarily promotes cohesion.
She was also inspired by the West–Eastern Divan Orchestra, a collaboration of Daniel Barenboim, famous pianist and conductor, and eminent Palestinian intellectual Edward Said. Every summer, performances by this venture have very successfully brought about rapport and understanding between young Israeli and Palestinian musicians.
It is our gain that Nirupama has gone back to singing, which was side-lined by her busy career. She loved singing from an early age though she had no formal training. She accompanied herself on the guitar, in those Joan Baez days.
Her love of western classical music grew in Vienna, the city of her first posting as diplomat.
“The Indian Embassy there was located opposite the Opera House and we basked in the music of Beethoven, Mozart, Wagner and of course, Johann Strauss! I have learnt some operatic arias but I do not sing them because that requires very serious practice and constant effort which is difficult for me to commit given the life I lead! My album, Peace is My Dream , was released in 2017”.
The invocation, Anandaloke, was played with proficiency and aplomb by young flautist, Ashwini Koushik, perhaps better known in Bangalore for her contribution to films and television series. Tagore’s song further underlined the regional connection, as his niece, Sarala Devi, probably sourced the tune from Mysore.
This was followed by Nirupama’s conversation with well-known journalist Neena Gopal, wherein the two women shared their experiences in South Asia. They stressed that commonality, not conflict, can be furthered. For peace and understanding between the countries, they reiterated that overlapping areas should be fostered: Indian classical music, cultural indicators, folk lore, even food - and particularly Bollywood films! It was interesting to learn, for example, that Benazir Bhutto confided in an interview with Ms Gopal, that at the end of the day, after the hurly-burly of politics, she listened to Indian classical music to unwind and recharge herself.
Nirupama’s mellifluous voice has a lovely timbre, and her rendering of songs was full of conviction and feeling. It was soothing in the gentle protest song, What Have They Done to the Rain , while she brought verve and pathos to Send in the Clowns . However, not all her words were intelligible and, while that could be overlooked in the perennial favourite Cry me a River [delivered with the right combination of regret barely tinged with a trace of gloating], the full import of The Song of Youth and her own composition, Peace is my Dream , escaped one.
A performer’s love of what he/she does is infectious, and Nirupama’s evident enjoyment communicated itself to the audience, thereby increasing their appreciation.
The young musicians chosen to accompany Nirupama were Sri Lankan pianist Soundari Rodrigo, a long-time collaborator. Her backing was sometimes a trifle loud, though Bangaloreans hope that her obvious talent will soon be seen in a solo recital. Also from that country was Neranjan de Silva. His accompaniment was ideal in that it was not noticeable, but one would have felt its absence. The self-taught guitarist, local boy Robin Colaco, gave a Spanish flavour to Swallow Song, based on an old Serphadic Jewish song.
Though most of the songs tended to be of similar pace and tempo, the programme was short enough for this not to be a drawback. Her encore, A Perfect Day , written to celebrate the end of WW1, was particularly moving, a fitting end to a very enjoyable evening.
