Children infected with HIV compose music for films

CHENNAI: Suchitra of Periyapalayam is sixteen years old. But she has already composed music for a short film, Nambinavar Keduvadhillai, as well as done chorus singing for a few films.
Suchitra is an HIV positive teenager living in Anandha Illam, a special home for HIV-affected children in Tiruvallur district. She is not the only talented minor. Ten-year-old Bharathi from the same home has composed background score for a documentary film on new drugs for TB.
There are several other students in the institute who nurse similar ambitions. Many of them from the home have provided chorus for film scores. Be it traditional carnatic ragas or western harmonies and symphonies, these children can handle it all. This is largely due to a compulsory music course introduced by the trustees of the home.
“We provide weekly music classes with a Kollywood music director, Ravi Verma, who teaches them to play keyboard and drums as well as train them in carnatic and western music,” said a campus administrator Muthupandian, as he pointed to a colourful and airy music room with several well maintained instruments.
“I have been coming here to teach music to these children for the last three years,” said Ravi Verma, who has recently composed music for a Tamilmovie, Mayil Parai, which is slated to release next month. “Instead of regular vocal music, I have been teaching them to approach music like a composer. It’s wonderful to see the kind of compositions that they come up with. Generally, many people trained in music may be good at vocals or instruments, but cannot really compose as they have not been taught to think that way.
These kids are getting an early advantage. They can read music too.” Another 14-year-old, Anusha too has music directorial ambitions and has already done some chorus work.
“I recently did chorus work for the film Mayil Parai,” she said. “I am hoping to become a music director when I grow up.” While many HIV positve children in other parts of the country live in poverty and remain neglected with no hope of a decent life, let alone professional success, children at the Anandha Illam are lively and hopeful of a good future. The campus too is well-equipped with airy and colourful classrooms and dormitories
(Names of the children have been changed to protect their identities.)