Fine fiddle flavours

From beautiful Western classical music pieces to lively Irish and Scottish fiddle tunes, ‘An Evening of Fiddle Flavours,’ had a taste of a wide variety of sounds. 

Not only did eleven-year-old Saakshi Navile and her comrades Ramya Ramalingam, Sriram Ganesan and Brian Angelo strike a chord in the audience’s hearts, they also touched many lives. 

The concerto, held by ‘Music for Braintree,’ in collaboration with The Bangalore School of Music (BSM) aimed to raise funds for Parikrma Humanity Foundation, to provide education opportunities for children.

As senior member of the BSM, Naomi da Gama Rose, announced, “It’s wonderful to see young children come together and contribute their talent for a noble cause.”

And that is exactly how the evening went. 

From sweet melodies to peppy tunes, Saakshi played in perfect synchrony with the pianists Sriram, Brian and Ramya, to help the students of Parikrma. 

Having learned to play the violin through the Suzuki method, Saakshi played every piece by ear with intense concentration, smiling occasionally at the quirky names of the fiddle pieces. 

“I prefer the fiddle tunes,” said Saakshi, adding that most classical pieces were too slow for her liking. “It’s very rare that you find a lively classical piece,” she added. 

She then explained why exactly she preferred the fiddle music. She said, “I love dancing, and the fiddle tunes are more upbeat,” said the fifth-grader. Her favourite tune is a notoriously quick number called ‘James in Spate,’ for which she has won many laurels and which she played with rapid hand movements and utmost delight.

Fifteen-year-old Sriram, recalled how he was always attracted to the main stage and cheering crowds. 

“I always wanted to be in a band,” he laughed. “My parents encouraged me to take up classical music, and over the years, I’ve developed the interest. Now I really enjoy it,” he added, smiling.  Brian said that playing the piano was an excellent way to unwind after school. “The piano is like a stress-buster for me,” he said. 

Saakshi nodded in agreement, “Even if I get nervous seeing a big crowd, just to look at the violin relaxes me.”

A shy Ramya added that it was wonderful playing for a good cause.  “Concerts aren’t usually held for non-profit causes,” she said, applauding the initiative. 

From slow, mournful harmonies to foot-tapping, hand-clapping fiddle tunes, the audience loved every minute of the performance by these young talented musicians, whose skills even exceeded those of some experts. 

The listeners especially enjoyed the story-telling fiddle piece, ‘Growling Old Man and Grumbling Old Woman,” played by Saakshi, with Sriram on the guitar. 

Sunita Navile, mother of Saakshi and host for the evening describes how she and her husband, Sudi, started a foundation called ‘Music for Braintree,’ to support education and provide a platform to talented children. 

“We were truly inspired and touched by the wonderful work of Parikrma,” she said. “It’s great to see our idea turned into reality,” added Sudi, continuing, “I hope this sets the wheel into motion, so that more people reach out to help the cause.”