G20 Orchestra: Sur Vasudha

Under India’s G20 Presidency, the legacy of the G20 Orchestra was carried forward by ‘Sur Vasudha’ conceptualized by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, to celebrate the rich musical knowledge and heritage of G20 members and 9 invitee countries.

‘Sur Vasudha’ or a treasure trove of melodies strived to promote inclusivity, diversity, and dialogue through the universal language of music. A collaborative platform for musicians of the G20 community, this choir embodied the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – a celebration of living beings on earth as one family.

The G20 Orchestra celebrated distinct musical disciplines and instruments from varied traditions of the 29 nations. The music was composed of six pieces namely, ‘Sur Vasudha’, ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, ‘One Earth’, ‘One Future’, ‘One Family’ and ‘Continuum’, set to six unique soundscapes, creating different acoustic environments - some heavy on world percussions, while others more melodic and mellifluous.

With a cast of over 150 artists, the G20 Orchestra featured 61 musicians and vocalists from India, and 41 musicians and vocalists from the G20 members and invitee countries bringing the textures and sounds of their homelands alive. The ensemble included string, wind, brass, percussion instruments, and a keyboard section, with musical dialogues between instruments of the same family but belonging to different traditions. Additionally, elements of Broadway musicals and glimpses of Indian classical dances were incorporated, with over 50 dancers joining the stage, bringing a theatrical component to the production. The Orchestra was accompanied by art installations and projections showcasing the cultural spirit of Varanasi.

Sur Vasudha was directed by Shri Sourendro Mullick and Shri Soumyojit Das, in association with Banyan Tree, and presented at the G20 Culture Ministers’ Meeting in Varanasi. The G20 Orchestra was inaugurated on 26 August 2023 by Shri Yogi Adityanath, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh; Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Hon’ble Union Minister (I/C) for Law & Justice and Minister of State for Culture, Smt. Meenakashi Lekhi, Hon’ble Minister of State for Culture and External Affairs, at the Trade Facilitation Center and Craft Museum, Varanasi. The project was supported by the North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC).

Trailer:

G20 Orchestra performing ‘VasudhaivaKutumbakam’:

Making of the G20 Orchestra- ‘Sur Vasudha’: