Khushroo N. Suntook | Janak Bhat
National Centre for Performing Arts, India's premiere performing arts institution, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Khushroo N. Suntook, chairman of the NCPA, talks about the institution's past as well as its way forward. Excerpts:
Tell us about the journey of NCPA.
NCPA was inaugurated in 1969, on the premises of the Bhulabhai Desai Memorial Institute in Breach Candy, Mumbai. Eleven years later, the NCPA moved to its present location [Nariman Point, Mumbai], starting with the Little Theatre.
On December 30, 1997, two months before Jamshed Bhabha Theatre's completion, the structure was engulfed by fire. However, in less than two years, the JBT stood proudly again, ready for its inauguration on November 24, 1999.
In August 2006, NCPA formed the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI), the country’s first professional symphony orchestra.
What is different today at NCPA, in terms of programming?
Fifty years ago, programming was done largely by Dr Bhabha. There was no JBT and Tata Theatre. We were functioning out of a small hall on Bhulabhai Desai road. So, it would be unfair to compare.
NCPA gets several foreign artistes to collaborate with the institute. What, according to you, is the draw?
NCPA has a reputation of being the centre for classical western music in India. Especially after the UK tour, where we were critically acclaimed by all the leading press across Britain and audiences. We have an international class orchestra. And with our venue, which is the best symphony hall in the country, it is a natural draw.
You, along with Kazakh violinist Marat Bisengaliev, established the SOI. Tell us more about it.
When I approached Marat to start the SOI, he agreed on condition that he will only start if musicians are of the calibre that he wants. It was difficult initially, as there were only few good players. We then started a school to train children. Today, we are in the sixth year, and they will be the future of the SOI.
What are the unique features of NCPA library?
The NCPA library is the only specialised performing arts library in Mumbai. The music library has 5,000 hours of recordings of legends like Alla Rakha, Ravi Shankar, Ghulam Ali Khan and others, and more than 20,000 books. The addition of the Stuart-Liff Collection in 2010, gave the NCPA a treasure trove of around 11,000 sought-after books, recordings, and musical scores that are truly unique in the world of western vocal and opera music.
What is the roadmap for the future?
My main objective is to create careers for retired musicians, and also to start a course in appreciation and criticism of performing arts.