STUDENTS TO HEAR INDIAN MUSIC

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 52, 2 July 1974, Page 4

STUDENTS TO HEAR INDIAN MUSIC

Pupils of Tauponui-a-Tia College are to be entertained by Indian music. The Balachandrans and the Parsons, two married couples, will give a concert in the college hall on Friday. Dr and Mrs Balachandran live in Wellington, but received their education in India.

Mrs Usha Balachandran had her first lesson in Bharatanatyam (Indian classical dancing) when she was eight. At 12 she was awarded a gold medal for her dancing by the President of India. dent of India. Dr Balachandran began playing the Mridangam (Indian drums) at six. By the time he was nine he

was proficient enough to perform with leading classical artists of the day. He has performed in India, Britain and New Zealand. Their two children will accompany and perform \vith their parents during the concert. David and Regina Parsons are a New Zealand couple.

Mr Parsons' initial interest was in jazz. He was a frequent session drummer at recording dates and at one stage toured with a group. What began as a passing interest in Indian music and the sitar, soon developed into a full-time commitment to his newfound style of music. Mr Parsons now devotes

all his time to studying thc sitar, surbahar, tabla anc veena and plans to furthei his studies in India nex year. The concert at thc college is part of the Music Federation of New Zea land's school concert . programme which is assistec by the Queen Elizabeth I] Arts Council and the Todc Foundation.