On April 26, 2019, The South Asian Symphony Orchestra gave its debut performance at the NCPA, Mumbai. Viswa Subbaraman, the conductor and Tharanga Goonetilleke, the soprano, with over 70 musicians from more than 5 countries in South Asia and the South Asian diaspora came together for this concert. The founder-trustees of the foundation – Nirupama Rao and her husband, Sudhakar Rao share a vision of transcending borders and building bridges through music. Also gracing the debut concert of the orchestra were the Vice President of India and the Governor of Maharashtra.
The concert featured classical works from Beethoven, Bizet, Brahms, Mozart, Puccini and Felicien David. Apart from these, Chiragh also premiered compositions by two female composers – the specially-commissioned orchestral work, “Hamsafar: A Journey through South Asia”, was composed by Lauren Braithwaite and “Bhadke” by Kamala Sankaram.
The booklet of the program is available here.
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In the Media
WE HOPE OUR MUSIC CAN FURTHER THE IDEA OF PEACE
April 27, 2019
Silva is among the 15 musicians from Sri Lanka who was on stage at the NCPA, Nariman Point, as part of SASO, which was conceived and put together by India’s former foreign secretary Nirupama Rao.
NIRUPAMA RAO WANTS TO UNITE SOUTH ASIAN NATIONS THROUGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
April 26, 2019
Former Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao talks about India’s relationship with neighbours like Pakistan and China, the recent terror attacks in Sri Lanka and her new journey to unite South Asian nations through music.
SASO DEBUTS IN INDIA WITH A CONCERT DEDICATED TO THE RECENT BOMBINGS IN SRI LANKA
April 24, 2019
SASO is a dream project put together by former diplomat Nirupama Rao along with her retired civil servant husband, Sudhakar.
Resources & Collaterals
- Welcome address by Ambassador (Retired) Nirupama Rao, Founder-Trustee, SASF: Click to read
- Address by Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Honourable Vice President: Click to read
- Program booklet of the Chiragh Concert: Click to download
