deccanheraldarticle

All the right tunes

L Subramani

Amith and Vishal Jain (visually impaired) may be blood-brothers, but they have contrasting personalities.

   Amith and Vishal Jain (visually impaired) may be blood-brothers, but they have contrasting personalities. While Amith is quiet and shy, his younger brother is fluent and gregarious. Strangely, the brothers' characteristics reflect on the instruments they chose to learn: keyboard and percussion.

  Amith (22) can play melodious tunes on the keyboard with effortless ease leading his listeners into the world of bliss. Music was the sole solace for him when his eyesight was rapidly dwindling. The 'class seven' boy, who loved playing with his school mates, learnt he could no longer study due to his blindness. "There was no awareness about special schools in my home town, Bellary. So, when I lost my sight, my father Mohanlal asked me to assist him in business, apart from which I had nothing else to do," Amith says.

  It was then that he discovered 'Akash Melodies', a music troop in Bellary. Dharmaraj, the owner, taught the basics of playing the keyboard, on which Amith learnt to play the popular tunes. A junior grade in Hindustani music (keyboard) and lessons in western classical music helped enhancing his knowledge. 

  Amith's younger brother Vishal (20) joined him in his musical mission. Vishal's story isn't any different from his older brother; he suffered a similar loss of sight and dropped out early in his 10th class. Like Amith, Vishal also discovered music, or be it a different facet: the percussion.

  Dropping out of school, he initially learnt the triple conga, tabla and dholak, before moving on to western drums briefly and rhythm pad, the electronic gadget that has around 600 different rhythmic patterns. "There's no special software to read each pattern or instrument. We had to literally learn the numbers by heart, in order to click-open the one we want," Vishal says.

  The brothers were also equally determined about their studies. Three years after dropping out, Amith privately learnt from a teacher.

  Though initially the idea was to enhance his knowledge, he later realised that he was ready to appear for SSLC exams. "Unfortunately, there was confusion about the subjects a disabled person can choose and so, I couldn't write the exam for three years (2001-03) despite applying for it. But, I was successful in my fourth attempt -passing with 75 percent (with just five months of preparations)," says Amith.

  Pursuing their PUC, the brothers learnt computer operations at Samarthanam Trust for Disabled. They say the Internet and e-mail has created newer possibilities to learn and make friends.

  Part of the Samarthanam's music troop, the brothers travelled in the US last year, giving performances in different cities. Amith says the troop's concert before the World Bank staff (in Washington DC), has been the most memorable: "We initially went there to discuss a project, but officials were quite fascinated about our music and arranged for a concert at a short notice."

  While they are determined to continue their studies, the brothers also want to make a mark in music. "We've just found a recording software and want to try our hand in composing tunes," Vishal says.

Source: http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/mar242006/Metro1459262006323.asp