Ankita Saha. Picture by Kundan Yolmo

Siliguri, June 17: A 21-year-old Siliguri girl trained to play the violin by her father is set to enthral an international audience in Azerbaijan later this month.

Ankita Saha is the only one from Bengal among 10 students chosen by the ministry of youth affairs and sports from across the country to represent India at the Great Silk Way — the first international youth congress and festival which will be held in Azerbaijan.

“So far, I have performed at state and national events. But this is going to be my first international event and I am ecstatic and nervous at the same time,” said Ankita, a third-year student of English (honours) in Siliguri College.

The girl will perform Indian classical music solo and as part of a group at the five-day festival in Baku, the Azerbaijan capital, from June 26 to 30.

She is a volunteer of the National Service Scheme in the college.

“The festival is being organised by the Azerbaijan government for youths from different countries to showcase their culture through dance, music and art. The event aims to promote youth exchange between countries to develop a mutual understanding among youths across the world. It is a matter of pride for us that Ankita is among the 10 students from India to perform in Baku,” said Vidyawati Agarwal, a faculty in Siliguri College and the instructor of NSS unit IV to which Ankita belongs.

Union sports minister Ajay Maken will be leading the 10-member delegation to Baku where youths from more than 25 countries will be present.

Ankita was chosen for her performance during the month-long Republic Day programme in Delhi in January.

“Candidates for international events are chosen from the month-long Republic Day programme held in Delhi every year. Students remain under the scrutiny of the selectors from 4am to 10pm and the focus is mostly on their performance. Apart from that, the selectors assess their behaviour, discipline and etiquette also,” said Agarwal.

The young violinist, who has been trained by her father Brindaban Saha since she was five, said she had prepared for solo, group and instrumental fusion performances in Indian classical music.

“The material for the cultural performances has to be prepared by the participants. I am ready for all kinds of recitals — solo, group and instrumental fusion. I will give my best performance at Azerbaijan as is expected of me,” said Ankita, who is a regular violin player of Yuvakendra, a group of musicians who perform for Akashvani in Siliguri.

The father, a violinist, is equally enthusiastic. “My training seems to have paid off. This is indeed an achievement for my daughter,” said Brindaban.