4 Music Organizations Empowering Disadvantaged People in India

Anyone that listens to bands, plays an instrument or composes songs will know that music is more than a hobby. It can reduce stress and anxiety, increase auditory perception and ability and even increase chances of a good sleep.

The positive effects of music on development have gained traction in research circles over the past 50 years, with studies showing that its study can instill feelings of leadership, responsibility and empathy in children. In fact, a program named El Sistema - rolled out in the 1970s - demonstrated that music could completely alter the paths of disadvantaged children, removing them from the path of risk and causing self-esteem to boom.

It will come as no surprise, then, that music is a powerful tool in uplifting those in poverty. In India, where nearly 170 million people live below the poverty line, four NGOs are harnessing music to bring creativity, confidence and opportunity into their lives.

Inspire India 

Inspire India is a subsidiary of the larger Shankar Mahadevan Academy Initiative, an organization operating in 60 schools across the world. The organization’s hopeful mission is to inspire, uplift, and even to ‘design moments of extreme joy’ for the children they reach. A more accurate description would be designing moments of joy for all who encounter them, supporters and beneficiaries alike - it’s difficult to read through their student testimonials without breaking into a smile.

The smaller branch of ‘Inspire India’ is no exception. Founded on the ambition to foster musical ability and passion in kids from poor families, the organization has centers in Delhi and Mumbai and aims to open ‘thousands’ more across the country. Their programs breathe life into neglected creativity, as they nurture the talent of the kids they work with and give them an opportunity to let it grow. Their programs build confidence and resilience in the children that are involved, equipping them with the strength they need to face life’s challenges.

Child’s Play

Founded by Dr. Luis Dias in 2009, Child’s Play India has a clear goal: to ‘install positive values and provide social empowerment to India’s disadvantaged children’. Its method of choice to get there is a little more unexpected. The organization aims to reach its goal ‘through the teaching of classical music to the highest possible standard’.

Dr Dias’s inspiration came from one fateful night at the BBC proms, when two unusual orchestras from Venezuela and South Africa took the stage. Having spent his last year wondering why India, with such a big population, was falling behind smaller countries in its musical standard, the appearance of these groups was a lightbulb moment for one simple reason: they were entirely made up of disadvantaged children.

And so, the concept of Child’s Play was formed. Dr. Dias began to teach classical music to disadvantaged and street children in Goa, believing that the music would in turn allow them to develop discipline and self-esteem. By allowing them to lean into their creativity and believe in their own excellence, the organization has provided over 500 children with a newfound confidence and the promise of a future career.

Anahad

Registered as an NGO in 2013, Anahad is a studio and a musicians collective. On a mission to uplift underprivileged communities, it harnesses the production technology at its disposal to preserve traditional folk music and empower the musicians who create it.

Take, for example, the story of Dapu Khan, one of Anahad’s musicians, in which their work together has led directly to a massive increase in income.

Dapu, passionate about education but denied the chance himself, spent what little money he had on his children’s learning. When he met with the Anahad group, he explained his belief that Rajasthani folk music could touch the souls of its listeners. It should consequently have a bigger platform - more reach, he reasoned, more souls touched.

Anahad was Dapu’s first opportunity to work independently, without a third party or manager.

The NGO trained him to use the digital platform, assisted with a website set up and facilitated the recording of two of his songs. The launch had a remarkable effect. Not long after it took place, Khan landed wedding contracts, shows in Germany and the USA, and a viral YouTube Video that resulted in celebrity offers of collaboration.

Manzil Mystics

Manzil Mystics was started by 6 musicians who themselves struggled with challenging upbringings. Their organization has three main branches: education, using music to Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in schools; gender, spreading awareness of women’s health and rights; and livelihood, creating a career path for budding musicians and structured support on getting there.

The organization aims to bring music and its benefits to as many children as they can - specifically, to 1 million of them by 2026.

Manzil  Mystics runs various programs to empower disadvantaged young people across India, such as the Performing Arts and Kids Happiness (PANKH ). PANKH operates by visiting schools and teaching the children both to write songs and to sing them. The sessions are fun, designed to build confidence and unleash children’s curiosity. Learning music in this way assists children in developing ‘cognitive and socio emotional skills’, engages them in their learning and increases their empathy. PANKH refuses to be defined as just one thing: spreading out from music, it also provides kids with safe spaces to discuss reproductive health, gender, and other social topics; teaches the English language; and helps students upskill in digital technologies that will assist in future careers.

Photo: Flickr