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"I haven't learnt music formally, but through hearing, hearing, hearing I learnt"
Nirmala Shah was born in 1928, in the town of Mombasa in Kenya. Educated in Baroda (India) she travelled extensively in Africa before returning to India where she completed her education and became a teacher in Mombasa.
Nirmala came to 'the West' where she has created an atmosphere of 'Gurukul' for children to have a taste of India whilst sitting in London! Nirmala has contributed to the musical education of children mainly in the Gujarati community for many years. In honour of her work she was presented with a Prashasthi Patra composed by Pandit Om Prakash Maharaj of Ayodhia, in which an account is given of her committed work teaching countless children the Gujarati language and the rudiments of Indian vocal music. The following is a translation of its content:
Her life is warm and understanding. She has dedicated her life to children. She is NirmalaShah who has made her life like a flute with seven notes (Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni). She portrays the image of a Banyan tree under whom children have achieved the treasures of Indian culture through music.
Meet The Composer
A group of singing students and their parents talked with Nirmala Shah while they were learning the song.
When did you start learning music? I haven't learnt formally, but through hearing, hearing, hearing I learnt.
Why did you choose such a song that doesn't mention any god but mentions only values? I deliberately set out to write a song which would apply to children of all faiths. The Gujarati language is very suitable for this because Gujarati people are members of many faiths: there are Christians, Parsis, Sikhs, Jains, Hindus and Muslims.
Why did you use this raag for the song? I tried the song in many raags but the Bhairavi sounded the best. It is a very sweet raag and works well for any devotional songs.
Where did you grow up? In Mombassa in Kenya, I went to India to study and when I went back I travelled throughout Africa promoting Indian language and culture. Later I taught in one of the schools in Mombassa. Then I came here (England) and taught Gujarati and Indian music to children. |
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