Youngsters singing contained in the bus-cum-music room
| Picture Credit score: Particular Association
It’s common to listen to classical tunes from inside a yellow bus parked within the leafy bylanes of Napean Sea Street. Step inside and what you see is a brightly lit classroom with vibrant posters. The scholars are youngsters from the slums of Shimla Nagar in Napean Sea Street. Carried out twice every week, The Sound Area on Wheels is a bus that navigates by the slums of Mumbai to show Indian classical music to the kids who reside there. This distinctive enterprise by Mumbai-based sisters Kamakshi and Vishala Khurana makes an attempt to convey some artistic and enjoyable moments within the lives of the underprivileged youngsters. Each sisters maintain a level in psychology and a Visharad (thought-about equal to a Bachelor’s diploma in music) in Hindustani music.
The Khurana sisters don’t recollect a selected time of their childhood after they have been initiated into music. It was part of every thing they did. From studying tables to serving to their mom within the kitchen — every thing had a rhythm to it. Whereas finding out music from her father and different gurus, Kamakshi additionally dabbled in educating music to youngsters and creating fascinating studying modules to maintain them engaged. “Anticipating three to 4 12 months outdated youngsters to take a seat and study music shouldn’t be going to work. It’s not the way forward for artwork schooling. Until, in fact, they’re are captivated with it. However how do you convey them to a degree the place they study and likewise get pleasure from themselves? So I constructed a curriculum that concerned not simply music but in addition different issues similar to storytelling,” says Kamakshi.
The Music on Wheels bus
| Picture Credit score:
Particular Association
A number of years down the road, Vishala joined in and the sisters launched The Sound Area, an organization that creates and runs specialised music workshops and coaching classes in a few of the most high-end faculties in Mumbai. Nevertheless it was the pandemic that gave start to the concept of The Sound Area on Wheels. “Throughout Covid, we had on-line courses for our common college students from faculties and houses. Some even despatched their youngsters in automobiles with their nannies. That set me considering — what are youngsters, who can’t afford to enrol themselves in courses, doing with their time? They’re principally moving into issues they don’t need to. So we thought why not give them 45 minutes every week of pleasure. A protected area to return to and takeaway completely satisfied emotions for the entire week,” says Kamakshi. So the sisters approached Eicher Motors for a bus they might take round Mumbai and educate music to youngsters. After months of displays and discussions the auto main stepped in with a bus with remodelled interiors. The enterprise kickstarted with crowdfunding in 2023.
A category in progress
| Picture Credit score:
Particular Association
The Sound Area on Wheels bus isn’t any abnormal bus. Devoid of any seats, the carpeted interiors are lined with guitars, ukuleles, djembes, tabla and different percussion instruments and decked out with vibrant posters. Because the clock strikes 5 pm, a stream of youngsters aged 6-14 trickle in and take their place contained in the bus. The 45 minute class is performed by ‘didis’ (music academics recruited by Kamakshi and Vishala) utilizing songs and props. The session ends with listening to some calming music.
The Sound Area on Wheels isn’t just a music programme insists Kamakshi. “The intention is to not make singing stars. It’s a category the place they study language abilities, cognitive and socio-emotional abilities, cultures of assorted international locations, focus, and so forth. These are issues they are going to by no means study at school. And all they should do is come out of their houses and step into the bus.” When the sisters spot expertise they decide them up for specialised coaching and to be part of the music concert events they put collectively. At present, the bus travels to slums areas within the Malabar Hill, Napean Sea Street and Worli.
Kamakshi and Vishala Khurana throughout a efficiency
| Picture Credit score:
Particular Association
Funding Woes
Whereas Eicher is able to roll out the second bus, the ladies are holding again due to lack of funds. Prior to now, enterprise homes similar to Piramal and Zerodha, have funded the courses which have recurring prices like gas, salaries for academics and driver, parking expenses, and restore and upkeep. “The south Bombay youngsters are very impressed by the challenge. College students from The Cathedral and John Connon Faculty in Fort put up a music present and raised funds. One in every of our music college students held a bake sale and donated the cash to us. Some even volunteer to show. So it’s a group challenge,” says Vishala.
Discovering the correct of academics is one other herculean job. “There are lots of music academics however we’re in search of academics who’re prepared to work with us on elevating consciousness amongst youngsters by music. It excessive time educators receives a commission effectively so that they have a motive to work effectively. We’re agency with our academics on how they communicate with the kids, their tone and physique language.”
The duo can be presently in search of sponsors for meals for the kids, which can give them extra causes to return to the category.
Printed – September 30, 2024 05:28 pm IST
