Please click play to hear the children sing and play music!
My name is Sheri Lyles. I am not a representative from an NGO or other organization. I am an artist and graduate student from the University of Hawaii, working toward my MFA in studio arts. This past fall I spent a semester in India doing artistic research with included 6 weeks in Jaipur at an artist residency at Studio Sukriti, the largest foundry in India. At the beginning of my stay I went to the city palace where I was immediately drawn by beautiful music of the tablas and harmonium coming from the far corner of the main courtyard. I met Kishor and Ravi Bhatt and some of their family members who were performing a puppet show, playing music, and selling the handmade puppets they made to visitors for donations. I lingered around for a while enjoying the music and the show and eventually received a personal invitation to some to their home for dinner and meet the rest of the family. They saw my love for the music and wanted me to meet the children of his colony who take his nightly music lessons. I had no prior knowledge of his traditions or culture. My heart melted as 18 children gathered together in the small dark room to sing and take their turn playing the tablas. The student must all share one set of drums. During my stay in Jaipur, I continued to visit them, invited them for a tour and a class in ceramics at the studio, and shared my knowledge of art and English language with them as they shared their songs and dances with me. We learned from each other.
The goal of the tabla project is to help sustain these traditional arts through donations that go to pay for musical instruments and supplies for children to continue to practice and sustain themselves through their arts. The genesis of this project began in Honolulu Hawaii when Interfaith Kirtan, a group of performers and lovers of music that gather together to share in song and chant to all aspects and forms of the divine God. Participants contribute to the donation basket within their means and a portion goes to the Bhatt children. On Friday, May 4th, a very special Kirtan devotion is being held specifically for them and all of the proceeds will go to pay for their needs. I will be returning to Jaipur in mid July and will post and update images on this blog, with the very special thank you's from the children.
The Bhatt children and their families practice the Kathputli tradition, believed to be over 1000 years old. Ravi Bahtt (the 'baba' or teacher) hopes to share his traditions and talents with others by giving lessons in tablas, harmonium, Rajasthani dance, and the art of puppeteering which tells the stories of the Raja's or kings of ancient India. If you are planning a trip to India, he will welcome you to his home to learn and share. If interested please contact me by email and I will send you his direct contact information.
Thank you and Namaste,
Sheri Lyles
