MUMBAI: Devendra Kudalkar is following the footsteps of his uncle, famous Bollywood musician Laxmikant Kudalkar, who was one half of composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Kudalkar currently plays drums and percussions for a German orchestra called ‘Sonoro’, which is a part of Musikforum Durlach, a German non-profit organisation that supports its own orchestral productions.

Kudalkar is an active member of Musikforum Durlach’s current orchestra – ‘Sonoro’. On the formation of ‘Sonoro’, its conductor Peter Wüstner said, “In March 2014, we started another Orchestra named ‘Sonoro’. We brought together 55 adults who had started to learn a music instrument of their own choice. Devendra chose drums and plays it extremely well, and I am happy to work with him. He is responsible for the rhythm in the orchestra and does a good job of it.” Kudalkar in turn appreciated Wüstner for maintaining an excellent balance between bringing the best out of his musicians and also giving them encouragement and constructive criticism.

To be part of an orchestra like ‘Sonoro’ is a like once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, says Kudalkar, who is currently learning drums under the tutorship of Rolf Mattern. On learning with Mattern, Kudalkar opined, “It truly is a privilege to have a great teacher who not only has decades of experience but also the tremendous patience.”

Kudalkar is the son of late Shashikant Kudalkar, well known tabla player, who often played with veteran Bollywood music duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s music troupe. On playing percussive instruments, Kudalkar said, “It seems like a perfect fit; I should have chosen percussions very early on, but I am so glad I have now. My father was a tabla player and I am honoured to be able to follow his legacy.” The 48-year old musician was previously trained in guitar during his childhood in Mumbai, before he moved to Germany almost two decades ago. Kudalkar has also given his Trinity Guildhall Examinations in guitar from Grades 1-5.

The method followed by Musikforum Durlach is that it combines private lessons with the orchestra from the beginning. “All adult beginners get private lessons and all adults start together as beginners at the same time. The first rehearsals start with rhythm-training and every week they learn how to synchronise music together,” said Wüstner. He further added, “I am happy that Devendra brings his own Indian culture in the rhythm of ‘Sonoro’.”

He further added that their first orchestra project for adult beginners by Musikforum Durlach started in 2011 with 40 adult beginners under the name ‘DaCapo’. “It was very successful and many people asked us if they could be a part of the next beginner orchestra of adults,” continued Wüstner.

Kudalkar performed at the Sonoro’s latest Spring Concert called ‘Filmreif!’, which consisted of musicians playing the music from famous Hollywood films such as ‘Titanic’, ‘The Lord of the Rings’, ‘Out of Africa’, ‘Once Upon a Time in the West’, ‘Gone with the Wind’ and others.