> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://serenademagazine.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Vijay Upadhyaya
- URL: https://serenademagazine.com/vijay-upadhyaya/
- Published: 2015-11-01T06:30:53.000Z
- Updated: 2018-03-20T12:12:32.000Z
- Author: Nikhil Sardana
- Tags: Meet the Maestro, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2024-08-26 18:53

**How did you get involved in Western Classical Music?**

I learnt piano from my mother. Due to the dearth of music teachers, I ended up conducting a school choir for the first time since my mother did not have time to do so. I was just 14 years old.

**What happened after that?**

Well I got a scholarship to learn for a semester in Austria. I learnt German and gave the exams. I studied at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz. I originally wanted to learn composition but I did more of conducting and I greatly studied Opera while finishing my Masters Degree. I studied for eight years there! Now it’s reduced to six years!

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/81/43/8143ec94-5168-45b1-a5e8-d3ad406ee496/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/totale-1-copy.jpg)

India National Youth Orchestra

**How did the idea of the ‘India National Youth Orchestra’ start?**

It is important to learn Western Music techniques to create symphonic music in India and other Asian countries. An orchestra should not be looked as an import of the ‘West’ but as a means of rediscovering Indian culture. I wrote my first symphony based on the emancipation of the Indian woman. It is meant for a larger orchestra and has texts of Kabir, Meera and Amir Khusru. It is a great way to spread awareness of the poetry. While in Chennai, I wrote a symphony using four South Indian percussion instruments. I am using a symphonic piece to incorporate dying Indian instruments through this piece. I am promoting Western Music education to get knowledge and understand structure. It is all to create new Indian music.

**Is there a change in India now?**

China is decades ahead of us. States build systems for music education there and that won’t happen in India. We are not proud about our own culture either – while creating this symphony in Chennai, I couldn’t find a folk song to fit into the piece – everyone referred film music to me!

**What plans ahead?**

We hope to do a concert in Mumbai in April 2016\. I also want to do a multi-disciplinary project in a symphonic manner based on the garba – orchestra music would then reach the common man!

**ABOUT VIJAY UPADHYAYA**

Vijay likes to photograph and visit the Himalayas every year. One day he would like to publish a book with his photography which depicts the infinitesimal self-engrossed human being compared to the might of overwhelming nature. In addition, he also likes to use his organisational skills, especially in the inter-cultural field. http://vijay.at