A Platform for people to learn, teach music

       Sunaad aims to bridge the gap between the formally trained and the untrained

A homemaker, an education consultant, a software engineer and an art gallery owner are linked together by a common passion — Hindustani classical music. This diverse group of singers — Sunaad — have come together to learn and teach classical music.

“It is a community of people who share a love for music. All it takes is a few trained singers who are willing to teach people interested in music,” says Tara Kini, co-founder of Sunaad. Sunaad aims to bridge the gap between the formally trained and the untrained. “We want to demystify Indian classical music by intertwining theatre and storytelling in our singing,” says Ms. Kini.

Inception

Started in 2002 by Tara Kini and Aditi Upadhya, ‘Sunaad’ has seen tremendous success in the last few years. “As a teacher in Mallya Aditi International School, I would organise musical programmes with my students. In 2002, I decided to do something different. We brought together a group of people, including students, alumni, parents and teachers for a programme, Bhavayatra , which was about the different facets of Krishna. The group, which was not disbanded after the programme, was christened Sunaad,” says Ms. Kini with a tinge of pride in her voice.

Ms. Kini has been leading the group, after Ms. Upadhya left the group in 2005 to pursue a professional singing career.

‘A magical journey’

Art gallery owner Indira Bharadwaj is among the parents associated with the group. “Music is something I always wanted to learn, but I never had the confidence to ask someone to teach me since I was well into middle age. Sunaad welcomed me with open arms and since then my musical journey has been nothing short of magical,” says Ms. Bharadwaj.

Memorable shows

One of the biggest successes Sunaad has had is the performance of Swar Katha Upanishad for which the music was composed by the renowned Gundecha Bandhu of Bhopal.

Last year, they staged at least 15 performances across the country. And the concert at Manjakkudi in Tamil Nadu is one that all the members cherish.

“The audience comprised a good number of farmers. The awe with which they listened to the performance was deeply touching. Also, the interaction with the children later was an inspiring experience,” says Ms. Kini with a wide smile.

Their upcoming projects include Rumi’s Maznivi in which they will combine Hindustani classical music with Sufi music for the first time.