'Sound' gives us a medium of expression and it works remarkably with children.

Besides being a vital part of our national and global culture, MUSIC helps build relationships between individuals and facilitates growth and development. “Music Basti” program with children at risk, is the reflection of this belief in the power of music to personally understand and access the world. ‘Sound’ gives us a medium of expression and it works remarkably with children. Appreciating music and its various forms and expressions can help children develop skills and progressive attitudes and enjoy their education and schooling experience. It all started back in 2008 by Integrated Development Education Association (IDEA), supported by The YP Foundation and Aman Biradari.

Music Basti uses music as a tool of self empowerment and enables children to enjoy their basic childhood; just the way they deserve it.

By definition ‘street children’ are the ones who live on the streets because they are homeless and hence without any sort of adult supervision. They spend most of their time with other children in a similar predicament who also lack direction and support. Being constantly on the move, these children have no sense of security and stability. Some of them have been abandoned or orphaned and many are victims of various forms of abuse like sexual, physical or emotional.

‘Music Basti’ came up to help these children and to give them a platform to express themselves through music and thus help their overall development. It aims at generating social and cultural awareness about the problems faced by these children through the universal language of Music. It uses music as a tool of self empowerment and enables children to enjoy their childhood: just the way they deserve it. With these basic goals and principles, Music Basti began its activities in Delhi and served as a link between the music community in Delhi and Street Children at risk.

Today, the organization has trained more than 50 musicians and has over 100 volunteers involved in their activities.

Music Basti identifies young talented musicians and volunteers, trains and motivates them, and gives them an opportunity to learn and perform music as well as trains them around human rights and child rights issues. Organizing workshops is a regular activity and the program has also documented a few short films. Concerts held by Music Basti not only showcase art and photography by the children, but the program has also been supported by exclusive performances by popular bands like Advaita. Music Basti was selected for Change Looms DAC (Ashoka & Pravah) and VIKALP (UNESCO, The YP Foundation and UNFPA) in 2008, as well as Unconvention Mumbai (British Council and OML). Music Basti has organized performances at iCONGO Karamveer Puraskaar award ceremony and CRY’s program “Sabko Shiksha, Samaan Shiksha” this year, and “Being a Child” on 14th November 2009, celebrating Children’s Day with 200 children along with performances by bands including Advaita, Vedanta, Astitva and others.

Today, the organization has trained more than 5o musicians and has over 100 volunteers involved in their activities. You can be a part of this change too. This is a hands on project that requires funding and volunteers. The only thing really required is to step forward and do something. Please contact Music Basti today if you would like to assist either financially or personally. Email: musicbasti@gmail.com

Article by Divya Srinivasan
Image Courtesy: Shiv Ahuja and Sabhaney