In a heartfelt celebration of music and inclusivity, Sunny Symphony emerged as a remarkable event, orchestrated under the dynamic direction of versatile artist MD Pallavi. This musical affair, presented by the talented children of Srishti Special Academy in Bengaluru, transformed the conventional concert experience into a profound exploration of connection, transcending the typical parameters of performance. With its debut at the Bhoomija Jackfruit Festival, curated by renowned musicians Shubha Mudgal and Aneesh Pradhan, the concert set the proverbial stage for a transformative experience.
Sunny Symphony was a highlight of the Bhoomija Jackfruit Festival, which itself is a music festival that aims to bring unique and diverse talents under one roof. MD Pallavi, whose repertoire extends across various artistic domains, took on dual roles as both director and host of this unique event. Her presence on stage was not just as a guide but as a warm, embracing figure, fostering an environment where children felt genuinely celebrated, on stage and among the audience. Her affectionate interaction with the young performers exemplified inclusivity as a natural extension of musical expression.
At the heart of Sunny Symphony was the opportunity for these young performers to form personal connections with the music they presented. Instead of focusing on commercial results, the festival programmers chose to emphasize the exploratory musical journeys of these children performers. This approach allowed the music to flourish in its most evocative form, granting each child the creative liberty to engage deeply with the song, thereby creating a genuine and emotional performance that resonated distinctly with the audience.
The idea to turn the roles of performer and audience around from previous festivals arose from an event one year prior. “The last year’s Jackfruit Festival was inaugurated with Pallavi singing for Srishti’s children. The children enjoyed it immensely,” recalls Gayathri Krishna, founder and managing trustee of the Bhoomija Trust. The enthusiasm sparked by that performance encouraged Gayathri and the team to reverse roles, placing the children center stage as performers. This ingenious decision served dual purposes, aligning with both the Academy’s goals towards greater inclusion and the festival’s ambition to push creative boundaries.
.
Through careful song selection, Pallavi chose pieces that were both simple and relatable to the children, incorporating works from popular composers and poets known to inspire curiosity and wonder. Prathima Bhat and Meghana Bhat, accomplished singers in their own right, dedicated eight weeks to guiding and preparing the children. Their patience and dedication ensured the children had the confidence to personalize each song, even adding their own expressive nuances to the lyrical content, transforming the overall listening experience into a poignant narrative of emotion and clarity.
Participants received the dedicated support of musicians Krishna Udupa on keyboards and Sumukha on percussion. Their collaborative playing was integral in guiding the children through solo and ensemble performances that highlighted their capacity to embody the melody and rhythm of each composition.
Reflecting on the entirety of the effort, MD Pallavi shared that her approach was grounded in treating the children as she would any group of young learners. “We realized as we were teaching them that we didn’t have to do anything different,” Pallavi stated. They treated the learning process openly, integrating moments of high energy as much as those of stillness.
The festival’s inclusive endeavor drew praise from Shubha Mudgal, who found joy in watching past audiences become present performers. Commenting on the notion of inclusivity, Mudgal conveyed her perception of its scarcity within Indian music. “I could be wrong, but I have not seen any major efforts towards inclusivity in the field of Indian music,” she noted, emphasizing the need for all individuals to be mindful and willing to make even the smallest efforts towards inclusivity.
The concert at the Bhoomija Jackfruit Festival served as a powerful testament to the vibrancy and transformative potential that lies in embracing inclusivity within the music world. It exposed participants and audiences alike to the joy of shared musical experiences, leaving a lasting imprint of joy, inclusion, and artistic discovery. As music continues to serve as a universal bridge, compositions like Sunny Symphony remind us of music’s timeless power to unite and inspire.
