About Us
Who We Are &
How It Began
INDK Symphonic Collaboration is a cross-cultural initiative connecting India and Denmark through classical music. Founded by conductor Maria Badstue, the collaboration brings together musicians, institutions, and audiences through a shared artistic language.
The initiative was originally conceived in 2020, with its first concert planned in Mumbai. Due to the global pandemic, the project was postponed—but the vision remained. INDK was formally launched in the 2023–2024 season, marking the beginning of a renewed and growing exchange between the two countries.
Since then, the collaboration has brought together leading artists and institutions from India and Denmark through concerts, residencies, and collaborative programmes that reflect both musical excellence and sustained cultural exchange.
Mumbai, June 2025: Danish students collaborated with the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) in a concert featuring the Danish pianist Søren Rastogi as soloist. The project was funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
FOUNDER & CREATOR
Maria Badstue Conductor & Artistic Visionary
INDK Symphonic Collaboration was founded by India-born Danish conductor Maria Badstue, whose work is shaped by a cross-cultural perspective and a commitment to building connections through music. Known for her versatility and communicative approach, she has worked with orchestras and opera houses across Europe, Scandinavia, and beyond.
In addition to her conducting career, she has initiated and led artistic platforms such as the Nordic Masterclass for Conductors and the Ørestad Klassiske MusikFestival, bringing together performance, education, and international collaboration.
A former professional trumpetist, she trained at the Norwegian State Academy of Music and the Danish National Academy of Music, and has received international recognition including the Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship.
At the heart of her work is a simple vision: to use orchestral music as a shared language between cultures, and to build long-term artistic exchange between India and Denmark.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Bogi Róin Magnussen
Bogi Roin Magnussen holds a Cand.Com degree and has worked as a headhunter for over nine years in finance, economics, investment, and IT. Throughout his career, he has gained solid experience in project management and stakeholder management. Bogi is originally from the Faroe Islands and moved to Copenhagen in 2009. He was adopted from India and also played the trumpet for 11 years as a youngster.
Artistic Partners
Collaborating Institutions & Artistic Partners
INDK Symphonic Collaboration is built on long-standing partnerships with leading cultural institutions in both India and Denmark.
In India, key collaborators include the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) and the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai, which serves as a primary host institution for INDK’s concert programmes and artistic initiatives.
In Denmark, the collaboration is supported by institutions including the Danish Cultural Institute, alongside contributions from the Danish Embassy in India, the Royal Danish Academy of Music, the Danish National Academy of Music, and the Danish Chamber Players.
The initiative is further strengthened by support from cultural agencies, academic institutions, and private foundations that enable sustained artistic exchange between the two countries.
Guest Artists & Collaborative Work
Since its launch, INDK has brought together internationally recognised artists and ensembles from India and Denmark, including collaborations with pianist Christina Bjørkøe and Ensemble Storstrøm, among others.
Each programme is developed through shared rehearsal processes and performance exchanges, creating space for artistic interpretation that reflects both individual practice and collective vision.
Cultural Exchange Through Music
INDK Symphonic Collaboration develops and presents programmes that bring together musicians, institutions, and audiences from India and Denmark.
Its work spans orchestral concerts, chamber collaborations, and artistic residencies, often created through close partnerships between performers, conductors, and cultural organisations. These projects are designed not only as performances, but as ongoing exchanges—where ideas, interpretations, and practices are shared across contexts.
Alongside performances, INDK engages with educational institutions and emerging musicians, creating opportunities for learning, mentorship, and cross-cultural dialogue within the classical music space.
Danish students in concert with the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) in June 2025, in Mumbai.
Looking Ahead
INDK Symphonic Collaboration continues to grow as a platform for long-term artistic exchange between India and Denmark. With each season, the initiative expands its network of collaborators, strengthens institutional partnerships, and develops new programmes that connect musicians across geographies and traditions. These evolving relationships shape the direction of the work, allowing each project to build on what has come before.The upcoming 2026 concert programme marks the next phase of this collaboration, building on the foundation established in earlier seasons.
At its core remains a commitment to sustained cultural exchange through music—creating work that develops over time, informed by the people, practices, and collaborations it brings together.