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Composer of the Month - September, 2004

Victor Paranjoti, 1906-1967
by Daryl Lee

The Composer of The Month series breaks new ground this month. Instead of European or American composers, we are reaching halfway around the world to learn of one of the leading composers in the country of India. Born in the teeming city of Bombay, Victor Paranjoti is well known in Indian music for his creative blending of Western and Indian music. He is singled out for his exceptional talent even by purist aficionados of Indian music.  Paranjoti's talent has been said to have resulted in a "new music."

One example of this fusion style, to be presented in the A World of Song Concert in October, is the Dravidian Dithyramb (Wild and Passionate Hymn). This composition blends South Indian motifs in a festive spirit that is very appealing to Western audiences.  The "dithyramb" has its roots in ancient Greek music, where it was sung in times of revelry.

He went beyond composition to performance, serving as conductor for the Bombay Amateur Light Opera Sabha (BALOS).  This chorus, besides its direct influence on the arts in India, has "descendents" that have had international success, in particular the Paranjoti Academy Chorus.

Besides his musical career, Dr. Paranjoti was an active promoter of professional communications. He was founding editor of Indian Association of Industrial Editors.  Even in this role, he was a pioneer, resulting in the inclusion of editorials in the "house journals" of major corporations such as Caltex and PTI-Reuters. In addition to the print media, he was also influential in Air India Radio.

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