DAIS Middle School Students at NCPA

Zakir Hussain : As a child I was brought up in what appeared to me to be ‘a normal upbringing’. Around 4 am, I would sit with my father and learn about Indian rhythms and their divine source, i.e. Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Lord Krishna, Goddess Saraswati and more.

 

To be able to watch the maestro and interact with him was a dream come true for students of Dhirubhai Ambani International School.

 

 

On 24th February, the students of Class 5 and 6, from the Indian Music Core and Co- curricular group (Tabla, Sitar and other instruments) visited The National Centre for the Performing Arts, to attend an open rehearsal of the Symphony of India Orchestral Concert with Zakir Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan, Hariharan, Zane Dalal and Kelly ‘O Connor. The Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI), based at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, is India’s first and only professional orchestra. This concert “Ameen, Amen, Shanti” is a concerto with four soloists- three vocalists and tabla.

 

The session was an inspirational and interactive opportunity that gave the students a chance to engage and appreciate the nuances of Indian classical music. Students interacted with the maestros and regaled them with questions about Indian classical music. The doyens involved themselves with the group and gave practical demonstrations, both on the ‘tabla’ and through vocals.

Tarini Majumdar of Class 6 A says, “It was a great opportunity to learn from such great singers and musicians of India and of the world. We are very privileged to be able to listen to such beautiful music. It was inspirational and enlightening to meet musicians like Zakir Hussain and Hariharan. Seeing them made me realize how working together can create such beautiful music. I hope that someday I can follow in their footsteps and become as great as them.”

 

 

Meher Mathur of Class 6 B quoted, “The experience was culturally enriching. It was very inspirational and we could easily tell that a lot of effort had gone into creating the unique piece on secularism, played by them. They advised us to continue practising, as it is the key to perfection.”