A South American Ustad in Goa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMzb0nn6r9U&list=PLgmrm2KDNuQzFtkk0Itq9KWkHe51DGLmC&index=1 India with rich musical heritage did not have its own professional symphony orchestra. Until 2006, when the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) was formed with a Kazakh Violinist Marat Bisengeliv (from Kazakhstan) as its music director and he continues to be till date. It was shocking that we never had an Orchestra before it. Marat Bisengeliv couldn’t understand why there was no Western Classical Music following in India, especially when you compare it with China which had some 30 symphony orchestras. In India, people usually get confused between the term Western Classical Music and Western Pop Music (The Popular Music from Western Countries). There is vast difference between the two. Although the following of Western Classical Music in India was almost entirely non-existent. It was admired and supported by the Catholic Church in Goa and especially the Indian Zoroastrian Community (popularly known in India as Parsis/Parsees). Mehli Mehta, a Parsi born in Bombay and founder of Bombay Symphony Orchestra became an Indian Maestro for various Orchestras in United States of America. His son, Zubin Mehta who is a very popular Indian Maestro and Conductor for Orchestras in Israel and America. Even with all these connections, India did not patronize Western Classical Music. Probably because Western Classical Music was never properly introduced to Indians. Hence, there was never a liking for it. The Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) has a diverse collection of players, out of around 100 players, only 16 are Indian. A South American Ustad who had been influenced by India and Indian Philosophy, arrived on the land that had intrigued him, ever since he was a child. As a backpacker travelling the length and the breadth of the country. When his trip ended, he wasn’t done with India. He come back with a group, performing and teaching music across India. On the western coast of India along the Arabian Sea, some 600 odd kilometers south from Bombay (now known as Mumbai) is Goa a Former Portuguese Territory. The South American Ustad started teaching Western Classical Music and building a following (base) for it. He taught people (without any musical background) the basics of understanding Classical Music. He started a Choir that Performed with the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI). The Choir consisted insiders, outsiders, Indians, foreigners, men and women in ages ranging from teenagers right to grandparents, with everyone making exquisite music that was carefully derived from every corner of the world. The choir was performing across India and other parts of the world. He wanted to experiment and bring on various Indian forms or genres of music [Indian Classical Music (Hindustani Music and Carnatic Music), Folk Music, Popular Music etc.] into Western Classical Musical. His ambition of building a remarkable education system of music in Goa. So, that Goa/India makes a mark on Western Classical Music too. But this May not come true anymore. On May 1, he posted on Facebook, it was his last message to the world – that “Here I am, once more, like so many times in my life, fighting in chaos. As you can imagine it has not been easy, the loneliness, the uncertainties, the pains and the daily struggle to breathe, and all this being a witness to how this country that I love so much is suffering.” On 19th May, 2021. The Ustad Passed Away. Even though born in South America. He always considered himself Goan/Indian. He was generously a giving person, to collaborate and to earnestly want to make a difference, for the growth of Art. Many conductors come and go without ever earning the right to be a Maestro. That was not the case with him who carried the weight of leadership with effortless, consummate grace. He was a Genuine Ustad. This is why his death is tragic and unfair. He gave thanks “for the immense tenderness I have received in my life,” saying “although it hurts, and although a gale is blowing in my lungs, I am here on the warpath.” His love for India and Goa was so immerse that he wanted to live here with his beautiful young family, wound up dying here instead.
