By Faith Gonsalves:
When part of this video was filmed at Tarang Kala Kendra, a grassroots cultural initiative in Kapashera that we at Music Basti are proud to partner with, Parvati’s was mother also present. She came to attend a short music performance by our students that evening. [envoke_twitter_link]It was the first time she had visited Tarang or, seen her daughter perform[/envoke_twitter_link]. When we spoke with her before Parvati’s performance, she shared with us that at times she was in fact wary and reluctant to have her daughter be part of such a program because of what people may think. However, during the performance and especially after, it was plain to see how moved and proud her mother was.
While stories such as Parvati’s may be a compelling indication of the improvement of essential skills such as confidence, leadership or creativity, the real challenge for the future lies in a re-imagining of educational outcomes. When operating in an entrenched social and educational system that wholly undermines a child’s ideas and aspirations, an important first step is to give children like Parvati a voice.
Music Basti’s ReSound program launched in 2013, recruits and trains teaching artists to run weekly classes so that children learn to write, compose and perform original songs. Students gain the multiple benefits of learning music skills while collaborating to produce their own composition, which they perform at the ReSound concert at the end of each year. Music Basti remains committed to those children, and to providing equal access to the tools they need to make their voices heard in today’s society. We hope you have enjoyed watching this, and that you continue to follow our progress in the future.