A new musical venture is set to light up the UK’s cultural landscape with the launch of the London Bollywood Orchestra, a project dedicated to reviving the golden era of Hindi film music.
The orchestra aims to bring the soul of Bollywood classics to life, offering a live experience that pays homage to the legends of Indian cinema.
The London Bollywood Orchestra’s inaugural performance is scheduled for October 5 at Wilton’s Music Hall in East London. This historic venue, dating back to the 1850s and often used as a film set, offers the perfect backdrop for this ambitious endeavour.
The concert will feature singers Rekha and Navin Kundra, accompanied by a 15-piece ensemble of musicians. The orchestra promises a rich tapestry of sounds, with instruments ranging from the traditional tabla and dholak to the flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, guitars, and violins.
Tim Pottier, the music director of the orchestra, explained the vision behind the project.
“We wanted a diverse show that spans decades and styles, with music from the 1940s right up to the present day. When performing live, everything is spontaneous, almost like living on the edge. The old Bollywood tracks had that same nervous energy because they were often recorded in a short time with a small number of microphones but hundreds of performers. The London Bollywood Orchestra will bring that everything-is-alive-right-now magic to the stage,” Pottier said.
The new orchestra is a natural progression for Pottier, a Belgium-born, London-based musician with an impressive track record in the industry. His career includes collaborations with A.R. Rahman in the early 2000s on the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) concerts.
Pottier has also been involved in a Mohammed Rafi album and concert series with Sonu Nigam, shows with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, and a BBC Philharmonic celebration of R.D. Burman’s music. Most recently, he directed the sold-out ‘Lata Mangeshkar: Bollywood Legend’ concert at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in July last year.
“The live experience is always more exhilarating. We wanted that magic to continue, so we thought about creating a music theatre-sized ensemble that could travel, reach more people, and connect with diverse audiences,” Pottier said.
Wilton’s Music Hall was chosen as the venue not only for its rich history but also for its evocative atmosphere, reminiscent of the golden age of Bollywood.
“It feels fitting for a Bollywood concert,” Pottier said. “It’s almost like being back on one of those Bollywood sets from the magical 1960s-70s era when R.D. Burman, Shankar-Jaikishan, and Laxmikant-Pyarelal were creating phenomenal music.”
The London Bollywood Orchestra is a collaboration of seasoned musicians, including Saurabh Shivakumar, a fellow arranger from the Lata Mangeshkar Prom who also plays guitar in the orchestra.
The idea for the project originated with Vimal Anandpura, a passionate admirer of R.D. Burman’s music, whose love for the composer’s work will be reflected in an eclectic setlist featuring full songs and medleys.
The ultimate goal of the London Bollywood Orchestra is to appeal not only to Hindi film enthusiasts but also to a broader audience drawn to the rich musical traditions of Bollywood.
“Bollywood music is incredibly varied, with songs influenced by Hindustani classical traditions as well as pop and funk from the 1960s-70s. There’s something in it for everyone. We expect a mixed audience at Wilton’s—those who are curious about the music and die-hard fans who will bring their enthusiasm when they hear their favourites,” Pottier added.
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