Danish Conductor Maria Badstue Celebrates Indian Roots in Mumbai Performance

Mumbai, June 27 (PTI) - From her early days in an orphanage in Maharashtra to conducting world-renowned orchestras, Danish conductor Maria Badstue's journey has been remarkable and inspiring.

The talented conductor, who will be performing at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai this Friday, will join musicians from the Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus/Aalborg (RAMA), and the Royal Danish Academy of Music (RDAM).

This performance marks her sixth appearance in India, a special place indeed, as it is the land of her birth.

Maria Badstue, one of the world's few female orchestra conductors, was born in a village in Pandharpur tehsil, Solapur district, around 350 km from Mumbai.

At just five months old, she was adopted by a Danish family and raised in Thisted, Denmark.

"I have loved India since the very first moment I came here.

I feel like (I am) at home even though India is not my home at all.

It is easy to communicate with people.

I have met people who have only been kind to me," she shared with PTI.

Despite her Indian origins, Maria insists, "I am Danish, though I don't look so Danish."

In Denmark, she has two siblings.

Badstue is visiting India with her husband and daughter, while her parents care for her younger daughter back home.

Her musical journey began at the age of eight when she started playing the trumpet with the scout organization.

"I loved playing and continued.

Then, I got to conduct a band.

Eventually, I developed an interest in conducting.

I always knew that I loved conducting," she said.

While conducting came naturally to her, Badstue acknowledges it has been a long and demanding process.

As any true artist would, she humbly adds, "I feel I have only scratched the surface."

Having collaborated with orchestras in the US and across Europe, Badstue had the opportunity to work with maestro Zubin Mehta last year, as noted by NCPA.

This Friday evening, she will lead a captivating performance of Carl Nielsen's Helios Overture with the SOI (Symphony Orchestra of India) Chamber Orchestra and musicians from RAMA and RDAM.

NCPA describes Badstue as one of the leading Scandinavian conductors of her generation.

She is celebrated for her expressive clarity, physical dynamism, and communicative prowess on the podium.

Badstue's distinct artistic voice is influenced by her multicultural background, classical training, and dedication to cross-cultural collaboration.

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