The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Aruna Sunderlal’s labour of love

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 25, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Aruna Sunderlal’s labour of love

Deepa Kurup

She is the founder of the Bangalore School of Music

Aruna Sunderlal

Bangalore: This graceful and dynamic 68-year-old is in the process of shifting her labour of love – Bangalore School of Music – to its brand new destination, The East West Centre, from her old colonial bungalow that has been its home for the past 20 years.

Aruna Sunderlal started the school with three students: her daughter, niece and nephew. Her eyes glimmer with pride as she charts its growth from this humble beginning into South India’s western music hub.

For the past 20 years, her living room has doubled up as the institute’s office and her life has revolved around teaching and promoting western music. Surrounded by piles of paper, she explains, that over the years they have accumulated every scrap of paper related to their concerts, out of sentimental value.

She smiles away all compliments on having accomplished the gargantuan task of raising Rs. 1.5 crore for a classical and niche art, amidst all tides of modernisation in an urban culture like Bangalore. “Contrary to perception, we have done much with very little. Choirs and patrons were generous,” she says.

“The way this institute is growing we are finding even the new building inadequate,” she says. The note of irreverence is unmistakable when asked about corporate funding.

“They prefer larger events and endorse only high profile consumer items,” she says. Ms. Sunderlal speaks with affection about her outreach programme.

“Our teachers continue to teach after the Indo-Swedish programme wound-up,” she says, with a sense of satisfaction.

Watching blind children from Jyothi Seva perform on stage strikes the high note in her life.

The institute has been instrumental in popularising fusion music in the city. “There has been a renaissance in classical music, but fusion seems to appeal to the young,” she says. The school conducts 35 to 40 concerts a year, ranging from classical, jazz to fusion music. “We do not look for personalities. We invite those who are interested in interacting at a closer level,” she says.

We ensure the tickets are priced moderately, so audience is not limited to the elite, she explains.

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