MUMBAI: Djembes and Darbucas will be an uncommon term for many but for a bunch of kids from GPP High School and SVKM International School it will be those musical instruments that gave them an opportunity to perform for the musical event at Kala Ghoda Art festival on 7 February. SVKM’s Rising Rhythms consists of kids in their early teens, who will kick start the evening with their 20 minutes percussion act.
Speaking with Radioandmusic.com, SVKM’s Centre for Performing Arts, percussion instructor and coordinator, Ojas Bhatt said, “Rising Rhythms- where rising depicts growth of kids with respect to age and with music while rhythms depicts the rhythm by percussion.
Both the schools come under Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal management. All the children come from different cultural, economical and financial backgrounds.
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He added that drumming is one activity which according to us, helps them to activate both parts of their brain, boosts their energy levels, puts their hyper activity to a proper use and many more. “Kids who learn drumming usually are not scared of stage. They are doing it in a group so are not stage conscious. My concern will be the hyper activity in the backstage, on the performance day” said Bhatt.
Bhatt added, “From both the groups there are three or four of them who are serious about drumming. They can be professional drummers or percussionist. I am planning to get them trained and will talk to the management about it.”
“It is the first time in my life I am going to Kala Ghoda. I was very happy about it. My parents are really happy about. I have been practicing for three months. We have learnt Arabic and African drumming and many more types of drumming,” said 12-year-old Sakshi Shukla (GPP High School).
14-year old Pooja Salva (SVKM International School) said, “Drumming is fun and we just played it for fun but at the end of the day we got to go for Kala Ghoda. This will be the first time I will attend the event because I have just come from America.”
Bhatt added, “Kala Ghoda is their first show outside school as they usually perform at school events and functions.”
Another student from GPP high school Neeraj Waghle said, “I am very excited that I have entered the festival. Ojas sir is a real good drummer and he has taught us very well. Apart from my mother-father by neighbors are also happy to know that I am performing.”
Bhatt seems to be proud of getting kids from Gokalibai Punamchand Pitambar High School (GPP) High School, he added, “It’s a huge event for children from not so well-off family.”
“After their exams are over, I will train them for their skills,” expressed Bhatt.
