Saeed: Dharavi's Determined Star Guitarist

Saeed Ajimullah Khan is the eldest of seven children, and one of the brightest talents identified through the Mewsic India program. He and his family live together in a one bedroom flat, far below the poverty line, struggling to get by on the 4000rp a month, which his father earns making brooms.

 

Saeed has been attending the Dharavi Mewsic Centre for over 6 months now and has displayed a unique talent for playing the guitar. A lanky lad, Saeed has shown great determination, dedication and discipline to his chosen instrument. He has completed each of his syllabuses on time and without fail, including; all major chords (open) and scale, as well as, mastering 5-6 songs in that time. Saeed has not missed a single class, winning the hearts of not only his teachers but also each and every visitor. 

Currently, Saeed is studying in 8th grade at the Woolen Mull Municipal School. However, there is an expectation that Saeed, as the eldest son, will soon need to start working to support his father and family.

While the Mewsic Centre cannot guarantee to keep Saeed in school, it does provide him with a wonderful opportunity and an alternative to develop his talents and fine-tune his guitar skills, which might help him to support himself and family in future.

But, it's not just about learning the guitar. During Saeed's time in the Mewsic Centre at Dharavi, he will be equipped with many transferrable life stills, including self-discipline and study skills, improved confidence, improved focus and concentration, enhanced teamwork and communication, skills which will help him to set up a comfortable living. 

Mewsic has certainly given a ray of hope and inspiration to Saeed and will continue to deliver such activities to more kids in future.

"With a young son of my own, I want to ensure that all children in India have the opportunity to experience the joy and power of music", Says Brett. And so, at the heart of the Mewsic India Foundation is the vision, the desire, to see every child experience and benefit from the joy and power of music. 

Devesh Gadkar - Scaling New Heights

For Devesh Gadkar, playing the keyboard is stepping into a different world. A world with infinite possibilities to explore and new heights to scale – one key at a time.

Devesh’s life outside this wonderful world of music is stark and grim. Coming from the “Chammar” – cobbler caste, he has been deprived of basic needs. His father works as a carpenter, earning Rs. 5000/- a month ($100/month), while his mother, a 5^th grade drop-out, is unemployed. They live in a 10x10 feet room or “kholi” in Dharavi – the biggest slum in India. Dharavi is an extremely tough area to grow up in, with children being subjected to violence, physical and emotional abuse and crime.

Mewsic Centre activities provided Devesh an escape and place to build something positive in his life. This talented young child loves his keyboard classes so much that he finished learning 5 songs and 12 major scales in only a matter of weeks.

Currently studying in the 6^th grade in Saint Kakkaya Municipal School, in Dharavi, Devesh displays a love for languages and art, which is popular throughout the school. His teachers say he works hard to master all his lessons and looks forward to learning new ones. He even helps the other students during the practice sessions.