Brett Lee Launches Signature T-Shirt on World Music Day

Brett Lee launched a signature t-shirt for his Foundation, Mewsic, today to mark the occasion of World Music Day, with proceeds from T-Shirt sales going to support Mewsic programs that heal, educate and empower disadvantaged children in India through music.

Available online and sporting Brett’s personal signature and the Mewsic Foundation mascot, a guitar-playing cat called ‘Binga’, the T-shirt is a collector’s item for Brett Lee and music fans across India. 

“June 21st has been celebrated across many countries as World Music Day since 1982.” said Brett. “Given my passion for music and the focus of my Foundation, I felt we should do something to mark the day, celebrate music and generate awareness for our work.” said Brett Lee.

Mewsic was launched in India in 2011 and uses music as a powerful tool to change the lives of children – pioneering music therapy in cancer hospitals and teaching disadvantaged children basic literacy and numeracy through musical programs such as the Mewsic Bus and the establishment of Mewsic Centres.

“It’s hard to explain what it means to me,” he says. “When I’m on the cricket field in front of 60,000 screaming Indians, it’s a great feeling; it’s so energetic. But when I’m in front of a crowd playing music, it’s totally different. It’s like I found the missing part of the jigsaw puzzle.”

It was Brett’s personal experience with music that led him to found Mewsic India foundation in 2009 and establish its inaugural Mewsic Centre. Mewsic now has now grown significantly with programs which span across five cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow and Hyderabad.

The signature T-Shirts are personally designed by Brett Lee himself and feature his signature as part of a limited edition collection to promote the power of music to change lives, and his Foundation, Mewsic.

“When I first set-up Mewsic, I was just hoping that music could provide some relief and hope for children living in very difficult circumstances. Even if Mewsic were to help one child, I would have slept well at night.” He said. “Knowing we are actually changing the lives of around 1500 children brings a real joy to my life.” says Brett.

T-shirts are available online here for less than $20 incl. shipping. All profits support Mewsic’s programs that use music to heal, educate and empower underprivileged children throughout India. Tweet to Brett and the Mewsic team to show your support at @BrettLee_58 and @BrettLeeMewsic or post on Mewsic’s Facebook page.

Suresh Venkat – Media Advisor

Mewsic is fortunate to have the guidance of Mr Suresh Venkat who is the media advisor and a valuable asset in guiding the strategic direction of the Foundation.

Suresh has an eclectic background having worked in a variety of roles across television, radio and design – most recently as a Senior Anchor and Executive Producer with CNBC-TV18 where his programming expertise oversaw a number of programs in the Enterprise technology, Innovation, Small Businesses, Art and Personal Technology spaces.

An avid music lover Venkat was formerly the Programming Director for Radio City 91 FM, Bangalore, India’s first private FM Radio Station and now one of India’s leading FM stations. He also worked as a producer with music television channel, Channel [v], giving him a rich experience in both media and the music segments here in India.

Suresh is an alumnus of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, and was once a product designer for Titan Watches and The Bombay Store. Today he is working on his own book, writes for various publications and journals, freelances in design advisory and has his own art gallery. Alongside his responsibilities at Mewsic, Suresh is also the co-founder of an NGO which supports the education of over 200 children from slums in Bangalore, Indu Jagmohan Charitable Trust.

Mewsic is very grateful for the hard work and media/business acumen Suresh injects into the Foundation.

Lions Heart

Mewsic’s CEO, Emily Harrison was invited to speak on the ‘power of music’ at the recent Lions All India Schooling in Jaipur.

With over 250 Lion’s International District Governors from across the breadth and depth of India, the schooling provided a wonderful platform to showcase the work of the Foundation and appeal to District Governors to support bring the work of Music to the children of their districts.

“It was amazing to meet so many like-minded people in one location” said Emily, who spent 2 days interacting with the delegates and discussing the expansion of Mewsic into new cities and locations across India. “The enthusiasm of Lions for giving back to society is impressive.” She said.

“Lion’s leaders were excited by our work and about the prospect of working with Brett Lee, and are very open to the innovative concept of using music to heal, educate and empower – something that is a unique concept in many parts of the country.”

Lions International is the world’s largest service club organization with over 46,000 clubs and 1.35 million members across the world. Lions members do whatever is needed to help their local communities and are dedicated to social service in a volunteer capacity.

“We are excited about the prospect of joining hands with such an impressive organization that spans India and reaches the grassroots so effectively.” Emily said.

Sharing the Joy of Essel World

“As you express joy, you draw it out of those you meet, creating joyful people and joyful events. The greater the joy you express, the more joy you experience.”

Inspired by memories of her childhood, Preeti Gupta with her family and friends organized a trip to Mumbai’s theme park Essel World for the children attending classes at Mewsic Centres. For Preeti, Essel World was an experience that she thoroughly enjoyed as a child. Through this trip, she wanted to share the joy and fun with children who would otherwise not be able to afford it. 

“I am among the blessed ones to enjoy the fun at Essel World as and when I desire. However these kids will probably never be able to experience this fun considering the cost of tickets, food and logistics.”

On 21st May 2013, Preeti, her older brother, office staff, and Mewsic volunteers brought 22 children from the Govandi and Dharavi Mewsic Centres to Essel World. The day began with a breakfast of vada pav, fruity and chocolates, which provided plenty of energy for a journey full of singing, dancing, and playing the tabla aboard the bus that left from Dharavi. 

At the theme park, the children enjoyed the rides so much that they ate their lunch ina hurry to get back to the fun, especially the water rides, which were a particular hit among the kids. Finally, the day ended with the rain dance and the Essel World parade. 

“Essel World parade had many human cartoon characters, decorated carts, and people dancing in fancy attire. The kids were very fascinated by them too - they enjoyed shaking hands and clicking pictures with them.”

Looking back on the whole experience, Preeti found every moment truly enjoyable – be it having fun on the rides, cracking jokes, teasing or even just talking about their lives as they played with her as if she was just one of them. Although her friends and family were initially skeptical of the idea, all their fears were allayed – the children were well behaved, and the Mumbai heat was of no concern. She hopes to make the day an annual affair from now onwards.