Farzan Edil Kotwal, a Mobed and Indian opera vocalist, is celebrated for merging Western classical music with spiritual traditions, establishing himself as a distinguished figure in the music world.
He views music and prayer as complementary ways to connect with a higher power, and his work reflects a harmonious blend of sonic beauty and deep spirituality.
Born in Mumbai, Farzan’s passion for music began in his teenage years. Although he initially pursued mass media and journalism at Jai Hind College, his love for Western classical music led him to the University of Music and Performing Arts in Stuttgart, Germany. There, he studied under Professor Ulrike Sonntag and earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music.
Thanks to his talent and perseverance, Farzan has garnered several prestigious awards, including the Fritz Wunderlich Prize, which recognizes exceptional opera artists, and the Yehudi Menuhin Live Music Now scholarship—named after the famed 20th-century violinist—offering him valuable opportunities for live musical performances.
In addition to his musical career, Kotwal is also active in religious fields and is recognized as a Zoroastrian Mobed. He believes that music can serve as a bridge between the human spirit and God and therefore integrates his art with Zoroastrian mysticism. Since 2011, he has launched projects to teach classical music to underprivileged children in Mumbai, aiming to use music as a tool for cultural growth and social development.
Farzan Kotwal has released a collection of works that blend classical music with spiritual themes. Some of these include There Was a Time (2023) — featuring pieces like “Ave Maria” and “Song of Aeneas”; Four Spiritual Chants (2024) — a compilation of spiritual hymns; and The Zarathustra 1001 Names of Ahura Mazda (2024) — a collaboration with Perin Pudumjee Koiji.
