Tuesday, 4 September 2012

An afternoon at Dharavi Mewsic Centre

-->
We depart from the office near Khar Station, catching the local train to Dharavi Station, from there a short taxi ride and a shorter walk takes us to the Mewsic Centre, where, our welcome makes us feel like rockstars…..A crowd of parents, kids and curious onlookers….perhaps wondering what these foreigners are doing in their midst?

Shoes off - as is the custom, we are taken inside and offered a glass of water, cold water, another exception to the norm for us foreigners! After chatting a little to the kids, and a little to the staff, we are treated first to a performance on keyboard, then a solo on guitar, by Saeed – one of the most promising students in the program – already he has mastered all the major chords and learnt a half dozen songs by heart.

As we watch, I try to imagine what it's like for these kids – growing up in a world so vastly different from mine, one which 6 months ago I couldn’t have imagined.

Language is a barrier, but not for long – we muddle along and shy smiles and laughter soon take over.

A song follows the instrumental performances and after the singing, the dancing begins! – the boys, a tribute to Michael Jackson, the girls, a Bollywood number - that has us all bopping along….

The benefits of music, while not always understood or quantifiable, are numerous, and, if nothing else you can see that these kids are enjoying themselves and brimming with newfound confidence. 

It’s exciting to see the program in action and reinforces what we are here to do, to achieve –  
that is to share the joy and power of music!

At Dharavi Music Centre

No comments:

Post a Comment