ON Stage is the cultural magazine of the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, and features authoritative stories on the performing arts.
Features
The story of the South Asian Symphony Orchestra is the story of survival during terrible wars and times of strife. However, its message is simple: peace and unity through the universal language of music is fully possible. By Akshaya Pillai Dr. Ahmad Sarmast was seated in the first row. Months
Music Education
A look at how the SOI Music Academy is not only fostering musical excellence, but also shaping the future of young musicians, their careers and, inevitably, that of Western classical music in India. By Beverly Pereira The year 2019 represents a high point in the sustainability of Western classical music
Interviews
We take a closer look at some of the people who have been an integral part of the Symphony Orchestra of India. PRABHAT KISHORE, VIOLIN ON Stage: How did your career with the SOI begin? Prabhat Kishore: Our music director, Marat Bisengaliev, heard me performing at Taj Land’s End
Features
Zane Dalal traces the origin of the NCPA in a familiar story that finds its voice again, in our fiftieth anniversary celebrations. Half a century is a milestone by any reckoning. 50 years ago – in 1969 – Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon in that ’giant
Throwback Thursday
ON Stage brings you excerpts from the NCPA Quarterly Journal, an unsurpassed literary archive that ran from 1972 to 1988 and featured authoritative and wide-ranging articles. In this piece, Jamshed Bhabha, founder of the NCPA, discusses the reflection, hard work and scientific thought that went into building the magnificent Tata
Interviews
The 23rd edition of the Artie’s festival promises to be a delightful mix of smaller, classic pieces and two great works by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. The Artie’s festival presented by the NCPA always manages to present an interesting combination of great pieces of music. In this edition,
Interviews
We take a closer look at some of the people who have been an integral part of the Symphony Orchestra of India. GULZARA SHAKIR, VIOLIN ON Stage: How did your collaboration with the SOI begin? Gulzara Shakir: I was a violinist in Marat Bisengaliev’s West Kazakhstan Philharmonic Orchestra and
Interviews
A roster of internationally renowned soloists will highlight the brilliance of Beethoven with the Symphony Orchestra of India. Interviewed by Beverly Pereira It is a grand stage set-up designed to give life to two monumental works of Beethoven – Choral Fantasy and Symphony No. 9, both written for orchestra, chorus and
Interviews
Mr. Khushroo N. Suntook, Chairman at the NCPA, talks to ON Stage about what is in store for the audiences in a very special season of the SOI and their forthcoming tour of the UK. Living in tropical Mumbai, not everyone might understand the significance of spring. But believe us
Music Education
Why touring is important, and why the mere thought of it drives management mad. By Zane Dalal Orchestras, as we know them today, started out as small ensembles, joined to some illustrious house or under the patronage of a court. The more important the court, the bigger and better the
News
Acclaimed British conductor Martyn Brabbins is all praise for the Symphony Orchestra of India, the receptive Indian audience and the city of Mumbai. Beverly Pereira speaks to him ahead of his second performance with the homegrown ensemble at the NCPA, Mumbai. It has been a busy period for Martyn Brabbins,
Features
This year, as the NCPA turns 50, we take a look at how a dream became a thriving reality. By Anil Dharker “One day, perhaps, the NCPA’s work may be more important for the country than the work of the steel company.” These were JRD Tata’s words to
