As the Symphony Orchestra of India celebrates its 20th anniversary, its remarkable story reveals how one ambitious vision transformed Western classical music in the country
The Symphony Orchestra of India, established in 2006, has just completed an astonishing 20 years since its inception at the NCPA in Mumbai.
Inaugurated in 1969 by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the NCPA, founded by Dr. Jamshed Bhabha and J.R.D. Tata, started with a vision to give a platform to both Indian and International artists in India’s commercial capital. Today, it is home to music and theatre from various parts of India as well as the world, hosting everything from Western and Indian classical music to jazz, blues, folk and pop.
In keeping with this vision, in 2006, the NCPA formed the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI). The brainchild of Khushroo N. Suntook, Chairman of the NCPA, the SOI was formed to establish a permanent resident orchestra that would enlist talented musicians from across India. Today, Suntook’s passion and singular vision have driven the SOI to the enviable status it enjoys today.
However, for a dream to come true, one must first have that dream — and if it is seen as absurd or audacious, pursuing it can be daunting. Here’s a tale of such an audacious dream that has come to fruition.
At the turn of the millennium, Khushroo N. Suntook, then Vice Chairman of the NCPA in Mumbai, had such a dream: to create a world-class symphony orchestra in India. Such a thought was considered outrageous, even quixotic! Apart from a few random classical musicians in Bombay and Calcutta, there was hardly any talent pool to draw from. Bombay would have to satisfy itself with the odd concert when an international band would visit. The performances were few and far between. There was a void to fill, and Suntook took it upon himself to do something about this by building an indigenous symphony orchestra in India.
It was a bridge too far to negotiate with the resources available. But the idea was firmly embedded in him. Then, Fate played a hand and his dream found a specific direction. While in London, Khushroo Suntook went to hear a concert of violin virtuoso Marat Bisengaliev and his ensemble of Kazakh musicians. Suntook invited Bisengaliev and his musicians to perform in India and perhaps help in setting up a symphony orchestra at the NCPA. After a couple of concert trips to India, the SOI gradually came into existence, but it was not easy. Very few of the local musicians auditioned by Marat Bisengaliev met the high-quality standards set. But in gradual steps, the induction of Indian musicians took place, and an orchestra of International standards, the SOI, was formed.
Today, the SOI also has a school of music where young local talent is trained to the highest professional standards of music, which augurs for a bright future for the orchestra.
Why is this not replicated all over India? “Other cities just don’t have concert halls where a symphony orchestra can play,” says Suntook. “They should make such dedicated auditoria first — the cart before the horse!”
To celebrate the twenty years of the SOI, the NCPA has a special two-week program running from Aug. 16 to Aug. 30, 2026.