Members of this unique community love nothing more than playing, practising and discussing the mouth organ, discovers Shree Lahiri
Members of this unique community love nothing more than playing, practising and discussing the mouth organ, discovers Shree LahiriFor Nandu Belvalkar, the Royal Harmonica Club, which he inaugurated in May 2008, is now a full-time passion.u00a0 "To popularise and propagate harmonica culture is my mission," he said.
"I have been playing the mouth organ or harmonica since I was eight. It was a gift from my mother. In a week, I learnt to play it with some skill," said Belvalkar, who was a sales manager in Kirloskar for 17 years followed by a 15-year stint as Auto CAD programmer. After he retired, he resumed his romance with the mouth organ. And thus, the Royal Harmonica Club was born that today has 40 members.
"We run three batches for those keen on acquiring harmonica playing skills. We draw inspiration from rich legacy of music directors like RD Burman, who was an expert at playing the harmonica, and the illustrious C Ramchandran," said Belvalkar.
Leading performers "Our members have witnessed the illustrious Bhanu Gupta (of Sholay fame), and other masters like Rustom Karwa, Madan Mohan Sharma and the world number one Jia Ui from China perform," Belvalkar added.
In August, the club plans to inaugurate an open platform for all harmonica players in town, apart from the
members.
Common platform"We will provide them with a place and time to interact, discuss, and improvise. In September 2010, our members fly to Singapore to participate in the prestigious Asia Pacific Harmonica Festivalu00a0a first for India," Belvalkar said.
u00a0While wind instruments like the flute, saxophone, trumpet and clarinet just involve blowing, one has to blow as well as draw air while playing the harmonica. It is a pranayam of sorts, which keeps you in an elevated state of mind, where there is no anger, disappointment or any other negative emotion."
Contact Nandu Belvalkar of the Royal Harmonica Club at 810-B, next to HDFC Bank in Shivaji Nagar or call on 9823292878
