Celebrating a Decade of Talent: The Impact of the Olga & Jules Craen Foundation’s Young Musician of the Year Award
As the Olga & Jules Craen Foundation (OJCF) celebrates the tenth anniversary of its Young Musician of the Year (YMOY) award, it’s a moment to honour the exceptional talent, perseverance, and passion of young musicians across India. Established in memory of two visionary musicians, Olga & Jules Craen, the award has grown into a prestigious institution, offering young classical musicians opportunities to hone their skills, gain exposure, and share their talents with the world. The YMOY program, supported by the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), international music academies, Furtados, and various schools of music and music forums across India, has been a platform for artistic expression, recognition, and collaboration.
Based on the broad smiles of concert-goers exiting the Tata Theatre at NCPA Mumbai, it was clear that “YMOYs in Concert,” celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Olga & Jules Craen Foundation, fulfilled its promise to showcase the musicianship of its talented Young Musicians of the Year (YMOYs). Held on 29th September 2024, the concert date marked a joyous double celebration—it would also have been the 85th wedding anniversary of Olga & Jules Craen.
The evening featured YMOYs accompanied by distinguished musicians from the Symphony Orchestra of India, the dynamic Living Voices-Mumbai choir led by Professor Blossom Mendonca, and Olga’s internationally acclaimed student, Professor Marialena Fernandes, on pianoforte. The diverse program included classical music performed on various instruments, interspersed with semi-classical music and dance by the Living Voices choir and Bharatnatyam dancers from Divine Nrityalaya, who presented a spirited performance to the song ‘Jerusalema’ sung by Living Voices.
Reflecting on the legacy of the YMOY award, Tanay Joshi (YMOY 2013), the inaugural winner, notes, “The OJCF has done a wonderful job of encouraging young talent from all over India, providing a prestigious platform to hone their skills, showcase their talent, and gain recognition.” For Tanay, the award was a springboard to international opportunities, including summer programs in the U.K., which paved his way toward a full-time study in the U.K., giving him a foundation of confidence and connections that still enrich his career.
For Meagan Alphonso Pandian (YMOY 2014), the OJCF played a critical role in expanding her musical horizons. “The OJCF sent me to the Académie d’Eté de Nice in France, where I was introduced to the harp and began my Harp India journey,” she recalls. Meagan’s career is now intertwined with this unique instrument, thanks to the mentorship and ongoing support from OJCF. “The foundation has been instrumental in recognizing young talent, supporting them in their formative years,” she adds, underscoring the life-changing impact OJCF had on her musical journey.
Shirish Malhotra (YMOY 2015), a flautist, emphasizes how the foundation’s steadfast dedication made a lasting difference, particularly through the challenges posed by the pandemic. “Receiving the award did wonders for my confidence as a mostly self-taught musician. OJCF was receptive and cooperative in helping me pursue my goals,” he reflects. Shirish’s gratitude for the opportunity to perform a solo flute piece with orchestral accompaniment highlights the foundation’s adaptability and commitment to nurturing individual talent.
For Apurva Devarajan Dutta (YMOY 2016), the award opened doors to networking with fellow musicians and mentors, fostering a vibrant sense of community. “The OJCF is not only supportive during the year of the award but goes beyond by facilitating opportunities to network with other musicians and pedagogues,” she notes, emphasizing the foundation’s role in building a lasting network among India’s young musicians.
Subin Sebastian Mathai (YMOY 2017) echoes this sentiment, expressing his appreciation for the performance opportunities that helped him reach new audiences and refine his craft.
Kabir Dabholkar (YMOY 2018), a classical guitarist, shares how the foundation’s support boosted his confidence, essential for “developing one’s own musical voice and ideas.” He commends the foundation for sustaining such a program for ten years, noting, “It’s a testament to its organizers and a privilege to be chosen alongside such talented musicians.” Kabir’s experience meeting other YMOYs at the September 2024 concert left a deep impression, particularly due to the professionalism of the SOI members.
For Anuvrat Choudhary (joint-YMOY 2019), the award was both “generous and nurturing,” helping him build connections with musicians and pedagogues who guided him in his Master’s studies at Trinity Laban. He highlights the meaningful collaboration with Yulia Gallyamova and Nuraly Kungaliev in performing Beethoven’s Gassenhauer Trio. “They were extremely supportive and full of joy, adding to the light-heartedness and playfulness of the trio,” he recalls, describing an experience that added depth to his performance skills.
Anuvrat’s joint laureate in 2019, Samyuktha Rajagopal, credits OJCF for her transformative journey in music. “Winning the YMOY award was pivotal, enabling me to attend the International Menuhin Music Academy’s summer masterclass and later join its three-year diploma program,” she says. Now a Master’s student in London, Samyuktha views OJCF as a family that has been supportive of her career in innumerable ways. “Meeting the other YMOYs was a joy, and sharing our knowledge from over the years has been immensely rewarding.”
Udit Gupta (YMOY 2020) describes the prestige of winning the award as “a rare honour” for any classical musician in India, comparing it to a footballer winning the Ballon d’Or. Udit appreciates how the rigorous selection process challenged him to reach new artistic levels, not only as a musician but also as a performer.
After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the YMOY award resumed in 2023, with Fateen Ahmed stepping into the spotlight. “Winning the YMOY award has been a gamechanger for me,” Fateen says. The award allowed him to attend Chetham’s Piano Summer School, which exposed him to world-renowned pianists and a vibrant culture of musical excellence. Performing his dream Grieg Concerto with the SOI musicians, Fateen adds, “It was the pinnacle and a thrilling experience, fostering artistic growth and unforgettable memories.” He is grateful to the OJCF for the intense rehearsals with conductor Barbara Poplawska, describing the grand finale as “etched in my mind forever.”
The most recent recipient, Neil Sajnani (YMOY 2024), values the OJCF for a personal reason—his teacher was once a student of Olga Craen herself. “Studying pieces that my teacher had worked on with Olga Craen brought her insights into my own playing,” he reflects. Through the foundation’s support, Neil attended the International Summer Piano Academy in Switzerland, which he regards as a “tremendous opportunity.” He looks forward to solo recitals across major cities in India, made possible through the OJCF’s unceasing support.
In his address, Khushroo Suntook, Chairman of NCPA, paid tribute to Madame Olga Craen, who was his teacher too, lamenting that she did not receive the recognition she truly deserved. He stated his pleasure at seeing so many young artists performing admirably and urged Corporate India and the government to support music and the arts more robustly in the country today.
On behalf of the Foundation, Zinnia Mehta Khajotia thanked all present for their attendance, noting that without them, the event could not have been a success. She appreciated all its donors and advertisers of the past decade, its service providers, and the various Schools of Music and music fora around the country that offered its YMOYs their primary performance platforms. She commended the YMOYs for their achievements, for being the OJCF’s raison d’être, and exhorted them to continue to enthrall and treasure the very precious legacy entrusted to them—that of Olga & Jules Craen, who, apart from their own performances in Europe and India, dedicated their lives to teaching Western Classical Music to young Indian musicians for half a century!
The 10th anniversary celebration of the OJCF YMOY award underscores the legacy of Olga & Jules Craen, whose commitment to nurturing young talent remains alive in each laureate’s journey. The foundation has achieved more than the cultivation of musical talent—it has built a community where the exchange of ideas, mentorship, and camaraderie thrive. This network of support continues to inspire the next generation of Indian classical musicians, who, like Tanay, Meagan, Shirish, Apurva, Subin, Kabir, Anuvrat, Samyuktha, Udit, Fateen, and Neil, carry forward the torch of excellence.
All the evening’s performers, including the YMOYs and their accompanists, gathered on stage for the finale. A rousing rendition of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” concluded the event, with the audience enthusiastically participating in the chorus. Each YMOY recipient has left an indelible mark on India’s classical music landscape, and as the OJCF looks to the future, it’s clear that the foundation’s work will resonate for years to come, fostering a rich cultural heritage that celebrates artistic talent, perseverance, and passion.
