Music is a lifetime endeavour for this unique sarangi player

Aruna Narayan Kalle is one of very few female instrumentalists – and the only female sarangi player – on the Indian classical music performance circuit.

Her music has been featured in several international and Hollywood films, garnering critical acclaim. Before COVID-related travel restrictions, an impressive concert schedule saw her performing regularly in Europe, Asia, the US and Canada. She was a featured soloist in a unique presentation of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, performed by the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. A documentary about this project, with an exclusive profile of Narayan Kalle has been aired by the CBC and Bravo channels. She has been a featured soloist, performing the works of new composers, in a very popular series presented by the Arts Council, UK.

In addition to teaching a select group of students, she is also involved in the Canadian school system, introducing young people to Indian music and the sarangi.

Narayan Kalle came to Canada in 1988 from Delhi with her husband Ashok who was working for American Express and sent to Canada on a two-year posting. They were to move to Hong Kong after that, but liked Canada so much, they decided to make it their home. As he came with a job, they didn’t face the lack of Canadian experience issues other newcomers face.

She had not really wanted to leave India as she had just started really playing, but says she made the best of it. “I wasn’t into music because of the fame and money but because I love it and I’d practise for hours. I found my own voice. I made the most of whatever opportunities came my way to play. I did a little bit of teaching. Winter was hard to adjust to, but I was busy, I was happy.”

She tells newcomers and those wishing to pursue a career in the arts to concentrate on bettering themselves.

“I’m not the best person to ask for advice, I’m the proverbial private musician, happy in my cocoon, but I would say that if you are serious about your art, just keep doing that. You have to promote yourself, yes, but if you don’t work on yourself as an artiste, there’s not much you can offer. You should aim to present an insight others haven’t. Present your unique perspective. Music is a lifetime endeavour. Some people stop learning midway because they attain a degree of success and then perform below potential. A large portion of an artiste’s time is spent in introspection. If your work is compelling, it will shine.”

Aruna Narayan Kalle’s recordings are available on the Nimbus (UK) and Zig-Zag (France) labels. She performs in India every year, appearing in the National Program of Music on Doordarshan (TV) and several other networks.