Music for development
“Don’t limit a child to your own learning, for he was born in another time.” Rabindranath Tagore
MUSIC FOR DEVELOPMENT A decade ago, inspired by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s Shantiniketan, eminent Bangladeshi Rabindra Sangeet singer, Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya, undertook a project that would bring the gift of music and arts to underprivileged children. This project, called Music for Development (MFD), started its journey with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2009 under the umbrella of Shurer Dhara, a music school founded by Bannya. The project aims to develop the ability of free-thinking and creative expression in children. “Music for Development is truly a philanthropic initiative, to harness the transformative power of art and music, to develop life changing capabilities and skills for the underprivileged children,” said the founder. The school started off with just 30 students aged between 5-12. Since then, many have graduated from the school. Currently there are 51 students from Dhaka slums enrolled at MFD, of whom 34 are girls. MFD is much more than a music school – it gives the children a holistic knowledge of the arts based on their interest. There are dance, recitation, fine arts, and crafting classes. Students are taught how to speak clearly in both Bangla and English, how to communicate with body language, and they receive lessons on ethics and manners. Classes take place three days a week, and the school provides the children meals on class days, along with medical help if they need. “Music is a very strong instrument to motivate people, that is the reason I dreamed of doing something with disadvantaged children.”
TESTIMONIES OF STUDENTS
MAIDA ISLAM SRISHTI A second-grader at Lalmatia Housing Society School, Srishti is one of the youngest in MFD. She has been at the school for a year, and this eight-year-old is already good at some difficult songs such as Agun er Poroshmoni.
“I hope to be as good as my teachers at music and become an engineer when I grow up.�
MD HELAL FARAJI Helal, has spent nine years at MFD. His mother works as a domestic helper. He joined MFD when he was a second-grader at UCEP school. Today, Helal is an eleventh grader at Mirpur Bangla College. He is an enlisted performer with Bangladesh Betar and hopes to pursue a career in journalism.
“I am very passionate about drama, dance, and recitation. MFD was a unique opportunity for me. I will forever be grateful to my recitation teacher Mahmuda apa, who has taught me how to speak clearly and how to carry myself.�
SAYMA SHARMIN IMA Twelve-year-old Ima is a special girl -- she is visually impaired since birth, but the gift of music is the light that guides her. Her mother says that Ima has been making melodies with random household items and singing since she was an infant.
“My father died when I was just two. But he knew I loved music and used to tell my mother that someday Ima would be a famous singer. I want to make my father’s wish come true and become a renowned singer and good human being like our Bannya didi.” After a family friend noticed Ima’s beautiful voice, he recommended her to Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya. Then Ima’s older sister brought her to the school in 2015, and since then she has learned hundreds of songs.
“I can’t read the lyrics, but I can memorize songs just by listening to them once or twice,” Ima said with a smile. “I also really enjoy learning spoken English from our teachers.” Ima hopes to learn playing more musical instruments and become a professional singer.
RANI AKHTER Rani’s mother works in the RMG sector while her father is a sanitation worker. Her parents want her to do what makes her happy and they support her love for music and dance, The 14-year-old still can’t decide whether she likes music or dance more, but she loves attending classes at MFD.
“Some of my friends at UCEP school want to attend MFD as well but their parents aren’t as supportive. But I always say that what we learn here will always stay with us and help us build a bright future.” Rani’s dream is to fly aircraft as a pilot in future.
MD. SOBUJ Sobuj is one of the exemplary students of MFD, who has gone on to study Theatre at Jagannath University. Currently in his firstyear, he says he could never have accomplished this without the help of his teachers at MFD. Sobuj is very passionate about dance and is already working with renowned artists of Bangladesh.
“Street children rarely get opportunities like this. I would say that learning the arts has given my life purpose and direction. Wherever I go, I try to learn something new.� He hopes to have a flourishing career as a dancer.
SONIA Thirteen-year-old Sonia always has a spring in her step, as she loves to dance. “I’ve been singing since I was eight, but I really like dancing now,” Sonia is receiving both singing and dancing lessons at MFD. Her mother is a homemaker and her father is a seller at Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar. Sonia says teachers of her school often discourage extracurriculars saying it distracts students from studies. But Sonia thinks studying can never be as fun as music and dance. She wants to become a professional dancer and get a university degree in dance as well.
MD RAMJAN HOSSAIN Ramjan is going to appear for the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination in 2020. He has been with MFD for seven years already.
“When I joined MFD, I loved to sing. But as I explored other art mediums here, I discovered my love for dance. Thanks to MFD for helping me to find my interest and talents. It is truly a privilege to learn from my teachers who are not only experts in their fields but also very good souls.” Ramjan also wants to study the arts in University.
“You can tell that, all the teachers here truly care about us. They never make us feel bad for coming from an underprivileged background. They treat us with respect and love.”
UNDP HELPED US START ON OUR JOURNEY… NOW CAN WE ALL WALK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS?
