Missing out on music

The decline in the number of Parsis worldwide is a matter of some concern. There are neither well-defined reasons, nor easy solutions to this vexing problem.
Let me address a specific aspect which is being impacted as a result of this decline in numbers, namely, the field of the performing arts and the state of western classical music in India.

For long, the bastions of western classical music in India were, and still are, Bombay, and to a slightly lesser extent, Poona and Calcutta. The audiences at such concerts were predominantly Parsis, along with a few members of the Christian community and expatriates. With the passage of time and with the Parsi population declining, it is difficult today to fill the concert halls. Today’s audience is predominantly that of ageing Parsis rather than youngsters. Thankfully, members of other communities are showing interest in western classical music, and now form a substantial portion of the audience.

NCPA complex which promotes the performing arts

The decline in numbers does not make itself felt only in audience numbers. It is a sad fact that even in music schools, the number of Parsis today is much lower. About 30 or 40 years ago, every Parsi home had a piano in it and learning the piano was a routine part of a Parsi child’s curriculum. But not so any more. Hardly any Parsi home today has a piano in "working” condition, or a child who is willing to, or inspired to, learn music.
The National Centre for the Performing Arts has two schools for training children in western classical music. The first is the Avanti Program (Avanti means way forward), in which, out of a total of about 150 children, Parsis do not number more than 15 or 20. The second, is the very high Conservatory level Special Music Program along the Russian Music System, in which out of 24 students only two are Parsis.
The Parsi community has produced luminaries in every field — be it medicine, law, engineering, education, and others too numerous to mention. The decline in numbers of our splendid community cannot but have a deleterious effect not only on the community but on our nation as a whole.