My parents told me “Learn music after you are married.” After I persisted, my lifelong dream turned into a reality. Who said dreams don’t come true, asks our Seniors Today reader, Geeta Mehta.
These were the first words I got to hear at the age of 9 when I initially showed interest in learning some vocal music. Most of my school friends were into it, which in turn had sparked my desire too.
But the year was 1970, and my parents were strict about these extracurricular things. I was advised to stick to studies- which itself was a privilege. So, my music learning was limited to a weekly class in school, which of course, just helped enough to keep my attraction intact.
Fast forward to college, where I got in touch with a friend, who herself was a graduate in music. She agreed to teach me some, that too without a single paisa as fees. I was so elated. Nothing could go wrong.
After a long effort of trying to get a clearance from my parents, I got to music learning, only to be refused after a week, as they changed their mind about it. It’s of no use, was their logic. Girls do not learn music, or sing- was the crux of the ban. My family never showed any enthusiasm for me learning any kind of music.
Music was from that time limited to listening to songs from the radio.
A few years went by and with the music still in my heart, I got married. Entering the new city, some 2000 km away from my hometown, there was a hope that maybe… maybe I would be able to pursue my dreams now. But was again disappointed, as there were two massive problems. One was a ton of responsibilities waiting for me at my new home, the other being a dearth of such classes in the vicinity of my house.
Life went by as I was engrossed in my life with my children and other household activities. Music still stayed on the radio and the television set. I would sing at some family functions, garnering praises. But that was it. It went no further.
My husband, aware of my desire to learn music, encouraged me to go to classes that had newly opened nearby. So, at the age of 38, I got into harmonium classes. And started learning it with full fervour.
One fine day, a courier arrived. It was rather a big box, and the slip said that my husband had bought it. On opening the wooden box, I found myself looking at a brand new Harmonium. Yes, a gift from my husband, on our marriage anniversary. I was elated and thrilled.
That gift fueled my music love to a high level. I went to the classes regularly and even practised the same and more at home with my gifted harmonium. But those classes lasted only a while, as the teacher left, and the new teacher was not as good as the previous one. She would just ask us to play, and would herself sit and watch, not even giving any kind of feedback, a stark contrast to the previous teacher, who was the most interested and involved in us playing well. So, I stopped going after a while.
I used to play the harmonium at home, and sing. My audience were my husband and children. But I could never muster the courage to play and sing at any family function like before. I loved every bit of it.
After some years there occurred some adverse and inopportune circumstances that I stopped all of these altogether.
It was years later when my children bought a smartphone for me, insisting that I use it- that I got to singing again.
This smartphone has helped me a lot with reinstating my connection with music. And to think that I was initially reluctant to switch to it from my simple phone!! Yes, I did not want a smartphone. Don’t know why. Just my age, thinking that I would not be able to operate it now at the age of about 55. But my children were adamant that I join the world of social media. They created all my accounts, and helped me with the navigation in the initial stages, till I got the hang of it. Now, I love it and stay connected with my long lost friends and many family members who are residing in different cities in India.
But the main part for me was when I found an app, where I could sing, express myself that I longed to do all my life. And once I started, there has been no looking back, I have now sung over 1200 songs there, which then I share with my friends and family.
Yes, I had to learn many new things in the process, like an earphone was important for recording, which I found difficult to use at first. The buds in the ear would cause a headache. For the first few songs, I didn’t have any idea how and where to hold the mike. I was worried when after recording the whole song I found out that it didn’t record clearly as the mike was a little far off. There were so many little things to it. But it was fun experimenting and getting a knack for it finally.
Then, on Facebook, my daughter found your account. Now, the interesting thing here is, she doesn’t use it, but sometimes goes through my Facebook account to check some of our friends or relatives pictures that I may have mentioned. During one such excursion, she found out about Seniors Have Talent and registered my name.
Your platform gave me a chance to sing live. A first in my life. Also, the recorded video of my song, that we were to send, was a first. And I was all nervous recording it, but thankfully it turned out to be well in the end. Though I have recorded many songs on apps, making a song video was altogether a different experience, especially for a person like me who rarely gets a picture of herself.
With Seniors Have Talent, I got to showcase my talent to a larger audience. I have now taken part in two seasons, getting to the semi-finals in both. And though I didn’t win any, I learned a lot while practising for the song, recording for it, trying to present myself, everything.
I never thought that I would get such a chance in my 60s. It was a wonderful experience. And I heartily thank Seniors Have Talent, for starting such a venture for us adults, who in this stage of life mostly have no opportunities to show their talents. Keep up the good work, and thanks again.
