Twin Melodies
by Mitra Phukan
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In this three-act play, Shruti Sharma, a young violinist and daughter of the strict classical violinist Guru Nabin Sharma, secretly practises Indo-Western fusion music with her friends Avinash, Iqbal and Peter. Afraid of her father, who believes only classical Hindustani music is worthy, she hides the practices and an upcoming fusion concert. When she finally tells him, Nabin firmly refuses. But her mother Leela reminds him of his own past, how he had once defied his family of vocalists to take up the violin. Nabin secretly attends a rehearsal, is moved by the children's soulful performance, and realises his fears were baseless. He supports Shruti, offers the children his music room, and blesses her, saying 'each bay, its own wind', recognising that every artist has a unique path. The play explores tradition versus modernity and the bond between generations.
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Act I, A hidden passion
In Iqbal's room, Shruti (violin), Iqbal (flute), Avinash (tabla) and Peter (keyboard) finish a fusion rehearsal. A newspaper has praised Shruti's classical performance with her father. Shruti is anxious because she has not told her strict father, Guru Nabin Sharma, about the fusion practices or an upcoming concert. Her friends encourage her to 'bite the bullet' and speak to him at dinner.
Act II, The father's refusal
At dinner Shruti nervously tells Nabin about the Indo-Western fusion concert. Nabin, who believes only classical Hindustani music is worthy and that fusion is mere noise, firmly refuses and dismisses the idea. Her mother Leela scolds her for hiding it, and Shruti promises never to hide anything again.
Act III, A change of heart
Shruti's parents secretly attend a rehearsal. Nabin becomes engrossed, taps his feet, and claps with pride at the soulful performance, praising Shruti for not losing sight of the raga. He offers the children the music room. Leela reveals that Nabin himself had once defied his family of traditional vocalists to take up the violin, then not yet part of classical Indian music, and worked hard to succeed. Admitting he had underestimated the power of music and that his fears were baseless, Nabin blesses Shruti with 'each bay, its own wind' and promises to root for her group at the concert.