Started by LSR alumni Faith Gonsalves in 2008, Music Basti is a platform that enables music learning for underprivileged and at-risk children. Their objective is to offer a mix of teaching musical training, song writing and performing to the young learners. Music Basti’s program approaches music lessons differently, with a strong emphasis on cultivating life-skills, confidence, creativity, community building and leadership.
Today, this Delhi-based organisation has a team of 20-25 full and part-time staff who are assisted by a large number of volunteers. Each year, they transform the lives of about 200-300 students from low income families. These children attend government and private schools, and some of them are slum areas. Beyond their core team, Music Basti also has more than 20 teaching artists every year.
In 2013, Music Basti launched an annual community music-learning program for children called “ReSound”. ReSound provides the children an opportunity to write and perform their original songs that tell the story of their communities.
ReSound works directly with over 800 students in community-based NGOs and schools, and has trained over 100 musicians as teachers. The program has three key components, namely, music in classrooms, teacher training and curriculum development.
This year, ReSound is being held on February 26. Music celebrities such as Vishal Dadlani, Ehsaan Noorani and bands like The Other People and Parikrama have initiated their support to sponsor instruments for the children at the NGO. Says Vishal Dadlani, “I have had fervour for music since childhood but never really got the opportunity to take it up as a main stream subject in school. For the first time, I ended up taking up music when I was 19. This is one of the main reasons I want to support the cause and motivate kids to do what they like. I am donating a guitar which has always proved to be my lucky charm”.
Efforts like these require tremendous support. News18 is helping raise funds for the cause and a crowdfunding campaign has been created for the purpose. The campaign is to support the initiative and fundraise to get new musical instruments and kits for their class room.
Come be a part of this musical journey!