When we think of a symphony orchestra, we usually imagine an ensemble of Western musicians playing the works of Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms. But meet the members of the unique Sai Symphony Orchestra, established in 2014. India’s biggest home-grown orchestra, established under the guidance of One World One Family’s founder Sri Madhusudan Sai, it comprises more than 150 children from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds, who belong to orgnaisation’s free schools in Muddenahalli, in the outskirts of Bengaluru. Its repertoire spans genres and eras.

Recently, the orchestra played at the One World One Family’’s fundraiser at the West End, with Sunil Gavaskar as the chief guest.

What began as a brass band in 2015, morphed into an orchestra in 2020, with a full complement of strings, brass, wind instruments and percussion, when Sri Madhusudan, decided that, more than just creating music, the orchestra would “discover the hidden potential of rural youth, nurturing their talent and empowering them with the confidence and values to become change-makers in society”.

The amazing leap to international significance came in 2025, when it earned an entry into the Guinness World Records, having brought together 450 musicians from 65 nationalities in a single choral symphony. In June this year, 24 of its musicians played at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna. And they have performed with, or for, international music greats such as L. Subramaniam, Ricky Kej and A.R. Rahman, who have lauded their talent and commitment. The organisation’s initiatives have inspired many international personalities from different fields to contribute towards its mission. Among them is Dimitris Lambrianos, a Greek-American musician and educator, who has trained the students. Proficient in over 30 instruments, he has performed at prestigious international venues. Moved by the mission’s free hospital services during his visit to India 10 years ago, Dimitris decided to stay back to teach and guide the young members of the orchestra.

It is amazing that these students have been able to master Western classical instruments, which they had probably never seen before in their lives! This includes the mini harp, which was rarely seen on concert platforms in the country.

The recent performance of the orchestra included patriotic songs and popular film numbers, with Harikesh as the conductor. As a result, most pieces sounded similar. A change of mood and tempo came with Mozart’s ‘Turkish March’ with Jeevan Sai on the piano.

The evening of melody raised hope for both art and society.