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!
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| At Dharavi Music Centre |
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