As the Symphony Orchestra of India celebrates its 20th anniversary, its remarkable story reveals how one ambitious vision transformed Western classical music in the countryThe Symphony Orchestra of India, established in 2006, has just completed an astonishing 20 years since its inception at the NCPA in Mumbai. In keeping with this vision, in 2006, the NCPA formed the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI). There was a void to fill, and Suntook took it upon himself to do something about this by building an indigenous symphony orchestra in India. Suntook invited Bisengaliev and his musicians to perform in India and perhaps help in setting up a symphony orchestra at the NCPA. “Other cities just don’t have concert halls where a symphony orchestra can play,” says Suntook.