Soul tunes at the Mango Showers Festival debut in Bengaluru

The Hindu

24-04-2025

It is that time of year when the mango showers fall, bringing a welcome respite from the heat and a promise of fragrant, wholesome summer fruits. While one cannot predict the rain these days, the city's music lovers can certainly enjoy the Mango Showers Music Festival — a three-day programme with a mixed bag of events.
When it was established in 2011, the primary purpose of the Majolly Music Trust was to aid aging musicians who were unable to land or perform gigs anymore. However, the Mango Showers Music Festival is a fundraiser to launch their newest initiative — a scholarship fund for students who want to study music but cannot afford to.
According to Neecia Majolly, founder of the Trust, a scholarship fund was always on their cards. 'When it comes to Western classical music, there are no institutions in India for higher studies and students have to go abroad to pursue their passion,' Neecia says. 'Now, this is not cheap and banks do not offer loans for music studies as they feel they are not a financially viable cause.'
Neecia says watching one of her own students run from pillar to post a few years ago, to raise the cash for her education, spurred her to get this fundraiser up and running. She does admit that while the event may not generate enough funds to cover the entire tuition for every aspiring student, it could ease their burden and raise awareness, hopefully benefiting more students over time.
'All proceeds from the Mango Shower Music Festival will go towards the scholarship fund.'
Bengaluru-based musician Joey Sharma, who will be performing at the festival, says he and his band were glad to be part of the initiative when Neecia approached them a few months ago. 'We'll be playing a genre of music called gypsy jazz, a style pioneered by Django Reinhardt, a Belgian guitarist,' he says, adding that audiences could expect melodies 'reminiscent of Woody Allen movies with a modern touch.'
A musical titled Jack and the Beans Talk, with an original score and script will be presented, as well as a performance by German pianist Andreas Konig. Andreas who will be presenting a Western classical piano recital on April 27, will also be conducting a master class with piano students at Odyssey School of Music, earlier in the day.
The Mango Shower Music Festival will take place from April 25-27.Donor passes cost ₹449, ₹225 for children below eight years. For bookings and other details call 8494930941
Let the music play
Day 1: Joey Sharma Quartet will perform at the Alliance Francaise de Bangalore, at 7pm Day 2: Original musical Jack and the Beans Talk at Medai, Koramangala, at 5pm and 7pm Day 3: German concert pianist Andreas Konig to perform at the Alliance Francaise de Bangalore, at 7pm