South Asian Music Youth Orchestra
The South Asian Youth Music Orchestra (SAMYO) is the UK’s National South Asian Youth Orchestra, the first of its kind in the world. The orchestra uniquely combines musicians and compositions from the North and South Indian classical traditions, and the most talented young performers of the country.
Introducing Sanju Sahai - SAMYO, Musical Director
"Our mission is to make sure that all our Asian youngsters who are interested in our music can get involved in playing it."
Sanju Sahai is Musical Director of the National South Asian Youth Orchestra (SAMYO). Together with his colleague Manorama Prasad, who is currently Music Director of Tarang, the Indian Classical Music Ensemble, he has been composing and conducting for SAMYO for two years.
“The way this orchestra works is different from other orchestras. In Indian classical music you don’t simply learn a piece and play it. It’s all about improvisation. So every year we create something new. We will choose a ‘raga’ – a musical mood based on seven notes – and work with that. This year I’ve chosen a raga that is quite melodic and can be folky, emotional or classical.
"There are two different musical forms in India: Hindustani music from the North, which is my tradition, and Carnatic music from the South. In this orchestra we are combining the two different genres, which is somewhat challenging at times. Normally a musician will be trained in North or South Indian traditions. My job as Musical Director involves mixing the genres and inviting experts in the field to come and join us. This year we are privileged to have Gaurav Mazumdar, the internationally acclaimed composer who studied sitar under Ravi Shankar. My job is to work alongside him and look after the orchestra.
"My instrument is the tabla, a percussion instrument from North India, so I make sure that everyone is in place and that the percussion enhances the piece. In Indian music we don’t have ensemble playing, so what we are doing is unique. Most people are amazed that we have an orchestra which involves only Indian instruments.
"I’ve been involved informally since SAMYO began six years ago, and on a formal basis since 2006. I feel at home here because it’s my kind of music and I love working with kids. They smile! It’s wonderful for them to work together, learn from each other. They are getting tuition from maestros, learning about their culture, learning the music. Our mission is to make sure that all our Asian youngsters who are interested in our music can get involved in playing it. This music is certainly not mainstream but we do have an audience, albeit a selective one.
"When I first came to England I lived in Devon and there was nowhere to go out and listen to Indian music. Now I will do anything to make it more accessible. I want our music to be available everywhere, all around the country. I am the sixth generation tabla player in my family. I am happy to be able to pass that on.”
Case Study: Mithila Sarma, 17
Mithila Sarma, 17, from East London, has been a member of the National South Asian Youth Orchestra for five years. She plays the veena, a plucked string instrument from South India.
“I’ve been playing the veena for five to seven years. I started off playing the violin aged four-and-a-half because my cousin played it. But the veena was the one I gelled with straight away. Everyone connects with one instrument, I don’t know why, it was the one that suited me.
“I practice for about half an hour to an hour a day, it depends on what else is happening. When I am really stressed it’s easy to go and sit down with the veena for half an hour. You don’t have to think when you play.
“My relationship with the orchestra has changed over the years. I used to come and sit in rehearsal and be the youngest but now I’m one of the oldest. When I first came I didn’t have a clue about North Indian music. My family is from Sri Lanka and we know about South Indian music. But now I am helping the younger guys to learn.
“I’ve met so many new people from different backgrounds and places. When I first came there were lots of people my age and we are really good friends now. To be on a one-to-one basis with so many talented musicians and composers is quite a privilege.
“Our retreats are pretty intense, you see how good people are and you want to be as good. Because it’s such a team thing you have to do your best, if you don’t give it your all then the piece will go out of place. You have to make sure you know what you are doing.
“The music is open to our interpretation. As an orchestra we can say, ‘we don’t like that’ or ‘can we play this three times?’. If you know a piece and you know there is something that can make it better, that’s really inspiring. Nobody says ‘no’, because that’s Indian music. It’s so adaptable.
“Performing is great. We have done so many and every show has been different. Sometimes you know they have really loved you and that makes you feel really good that you are part of this orchestra.
“I want to study law at uni and keep music as a hobby, and do performances and teaching. Making it academic might take the fun out of it. But I would never stop playing.”
Visit the official SAMYO website
www.samyo.org
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