BackMehroo Jeejeebhoy: An equal music
Notes on Zubin Mehta and the Western classical music scene in Mumbai
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Western classical music in India has two disadvantages: it’s Western, and it’s classical.
Both supposed drawbacks in the widespread acceptance of the art form are among the reasons behind a row over a concert in Srinagar by Zubin Mehta, India’s most famous Western classical music export. Mehta is scheduled to perform at the Ehsaas-e-Kashmir concert on 7 September with the Bavarian State Orchestra from Munich, Germany. The concert will be his first in Jammu and Kashmir.
The invite-only event, organized by the German embassy, has 1,500 guests, 700 of whom are not from the state. Among the vocal protesters are hardliner Hurriyat Conference leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who declared that the event would “interfere with (the) disputed status" of Kashmir. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairperson of the Hurriyat Conference, agreed, saying that it would be better if Germany were to instead fund health and education in Kashmir.
Zubin Mehta comes to India fairly frequently, but this is the first time he will perform in Kashmir.
He often performs in areas of conflict where he thinks music can bring people together. It’s actually a very brave thing to do. As you know, Kashmir has been a volatile state. Nothing like this concert has ever happened in Kashmir—an important cultural event that will invite international attention to the state.
People tend to criticize Western classical music because it’s not Indian. Would you agree with that?
There tends to be a resistance from some sections of society to all things Western. (Pablo) Picasso was a Spanish artist. Does that mean he can be appreciated only in Spain? And what about cricket? That’s not an Indian game. It’s only music that is treated like it is a culturally alien art form.
There are few public performances, and audiences are limited to closed spaces.
The reason it is difficult to take this music out into the open is because it would require amplification. For indoor theatres, one needs an acoustic shell to reflect the natural sound of the instrument. We are happy to have a world-class concert hall at the NCPA, but even that seats only 1,100 people. It is a shame that New Delhi, the capital city of this country, has not one state-of-the-art music hall that can accommodate large orchestras. These concert halls do not even need to be used just for Western classical music. They can be multi-functional auditoriums for music, dance, theatre, etc.
When Mehta came to Mumbai in March 2011 with the Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, he played Bartók’s ‘Concerto for Orchestra’, which is possibly the first time it was played in India. You rarely see such nuanced repertoires in orchestras that perform here. Why is that?
When an orchestra is on tour, they have to choose a repertoire that doesn’t need too much rehearsal during the tour. They have to be prepared with a limited number of rehearsals. The foundation (MMMF) is the only organization to have Zubin bringing orchestras to Bombay. Bombay is not on the international classical music circuit. It is very expensive to invite orchestras. You have to transport 120 people, their cargo, all their instruments, put them up in five-star hotels, organize their local transport… It is difficult to find sponsors. Very few Indian corporates are interested in funding the arts. Many renowned musicians who perform benefit concerts for the foundation waive their fees so we can have the privilege to hear them in our city.
Would the solution to that be to train musicians in India itself?
Yes, but it takes a generation to do that. It takes years of study to produce one musician who is fit to play in an orchestra. It’s not just about talent. One needs commitment, hard work, dedication, and the support of parents and educational institutions. Children need to be exposed to music—good music, not just Bollywood numbers. That comes only when parents and teachers are convinced that classical music is an important pursuit for their children. With that, you will begin to see results only after 25-30 years.
You also have outreach programmes for underprivileged children.
We try to break down the barriers that make music inaccessible so we take our teaching programmes to children who would not ordinarily be exposed to this kind of music. We are associated with Muktangan, an innovative educational input foundation, and we train teachers from seven schools in and around Parel to teach music to children in their classes. We are also involved with municipal schools. Some of these children love learning music so much that they come early for class and they don’t want to leave when it’s done. Music is important for the emotional well-being and development of children. It’s not just Western classical music. Music of any respectable genre is good.
Do you think the next Zubin Mehta will be from Mumbai?
The problem with Western classical music is that you need a superior conservatory of music, excellent teachers and an environment that promotes music. I know several talented young Indian musicians who have made professional careers abroad due to lack of opportunities in their own country. At this point, one can’t say what the future holds.
At the foundation, we don’t promise our students that they will become professional musicians.
Everyone who plays tennis doesn’t become a world-class tennis player. But music can change your life and make a difference to it. If we can be the instrument that makes this difference, we are happy to do this.
Zubin Mehta will perform in Mumbai on 9 and 10 September at 7pm at Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, National Centre for Performing Arts. For details, visit www.mmmfindia.org
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