Goan-origin harpist performing on Independence Day
BY JESSICA FALEIRO
Here’s a rare opportunity to experience the mellifluous tones of harpist Meagan Alphonso Pandian. She will be playing in Goa this Independence Day, August 15, 2023, from 5 to 6.30 pm at Alliance Francaise in Panjim.
Meagan is a Mumbai-based harpist of Goan origin with family roots in Aldona. She is also the first and currently the only pedal harpist in India. She comes from a musical household where she focused on studying the piano, violin and viola until she saw and heard a harp played on television.
She is largely self-taught but also sought lessons from international artists visiting Mumbai and explored other means to train herself in the instrument. Remarkably, Meagan completed the ATCL diploma from Trinity College London in pedal harp performance within only four years of learning the instrument.
She has also studied with harp virtuoso Olga Shevelevich in Germany as well as given harp recitals at the Jehangir Art Gallery and the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai.
Harps are notoriously hard to come by in India, but after she bought a second-hand 26-strong harp from an expatriate, she began a journey that continues to lead her into unexpected places.
For example, Meagan is a certified Montessori teacher who collaborates with school programmes that allow kids to explore musical instruments. She gives them an introduction to the pedal harp and allows them to explore it.
She also teaches adults and gives online classes for international students.
At the Harp School, the first of its kind in India, Meagan trains her students in both pedal and lever harp, as well as meeting the harp needs of her students and visiting artists.
She has given solo performances at the Bangalore School of Music and Chai 3:16 in Bengaluru and the Wandering Artist in Chennai, among other places.
As a testament to the extraordinary level of skill and ability that she has achieved in her learning, Meagan writes scores for Indian classical and Bollywood music.
She has worked with maestro A R Rahman, toured with singer Arjit Singh and collaborated with many other established and well-known artists.
In addition, she has completed the Licentiate of the Trinity College London exam (LTCL) and Dip ABRSM in piano. She won The Young Musician of the Year 2014 award in piano performance, allowing her to give piano recitals in India and France.
She has also performed with the Bombay Chamber Orchestra (BCO), the Indian National Youth Orchestra (INYO) and the Indian Youth Orchestra (IYO) in association with the Canadian National Youth Orchestra (CIYO).
There are limited seats to her performance at Alliance Francaise, Panjim. To get a free pass, send a Whatsapp message to 9529497005. It promises to be an unforgettable musical experience, so don’t miss it.
DETAILS
WHAT: Musical performance by harpist Meagan Alphonso Pandian
WHERE: Alliance Francaise, Panjim
WHEN: August 15, 2023, from 5 to 6.30 pm
CONTACT FOR FREE PASS: Whatsapp 9529497005