Page 46 - Seniors Today - April Issue
P. 46
Once Upon a Time | Music
A Stickler for
Perfection
Narendra Kusnur profiles Zubin Mehta, the Mumbai-born maestro who
turns 85
Exactly five years ago, on April 15, 2016, though I was allowed in, it wasn’t without
renowned classical conductor Zubin Mehta receiving a few glares. What followed
attended the launch of his biography, written happened in clockwork fashion, from
by Bakhtiar K Dadabhoy, at Mumbai’s Taj Mehta’s and the author’s addresses, to the
Mahal Hotel. A few mediapersons had been formal launch of Zubin Mehta: A Musical
invited, with clear instructions that anybody Journey to the question-answer session to the
arriving late would be let in only after the photo shoot. At 5 pm, the room was empty.
formal launch. It was very much like a For years, the Mumbai-born maestro has
western classical concert, where audiences been revered as one of the world’s most active
are not allowed in during the middle of a conductors. And besides the hard work and
piece. the talent, his success could also be attributed
From past experience too, going by earlier to the strict discipline he has maintained both
press conferences, one realised that Mehta on and off stage. In the few meetings I’ve had
was a stickler for time and perfection. This with him, and the rehearsal I once attended,
time, at 4 pm sharp, the host had just begun he never came across as aggressive or fiery.
the welcome address when I reached, and Rather, he has his own affable way of
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