Singing to soothe ailing minds

Madurai: It does not need to be money always; even talent can be donated to the needy to comfort them. That is what exactly Young Artist’s Association of Musicians (YAAM), a musical band is doing in the city.

YAAM has been performing at homes for people with mental illness, old age people and orphans for the last few years. The troop has been providing a platform for young talents longing for a stage to show their talents. It is a collective of more than 50 music talents in the age group of 13 to 25, including students. There are also a couple of people with autism, who can sing and play music instruments. It was founded by R Shajahan, a music teacher from Krishnapuram Colony in Madurai city, around seven years ago.

According to 53-year-old Shajahan, a father of two children, the troop was started to identify the music talents in Madurai. "There are many talented people in Madurai, what they need is encouragement and a stage to perform. YAAM is doing just that," he said.

The troop performs at various family functions such as marriages and birthday parties. Mostly clubs into social activities engage the troop in their meetings. "We don’t have a fixed charge for the performance, we leave it to the discretion of the organizers. The money generated from such functions is going as donation for social causes such as children’s education. We do not accept donations, instead we insist people to book a show to support us," Shajahan said.

K S P Janarthana Babu, programme director of M S Chellamuthu Trust and Research Foundation, said that the troop used to conduct shows once in a year at the home run for people with learning disabilities. "The inmates used to enjoy music like anything. The good thing is that the inmates are involved in the program as they also get a chance to perform. We believe that music can heal mental problems," he said.

S Santhosini, a music teacher of a private school, has been associated with the troop since her college days. On an average two shows will be there in a month, but what is more fulfilling is performing at orphanages and home for the old and people with learning difficulties, she said.

P Vinoth, a 21-year-old keyboard player of the band, is autistic who goes to a special school in the city. Ever since his talent was spotted by Shajahan two years ago, he has become an integral part of the troop.

His mother P Hemalatha said, "We have put him in various classes to find his talent. He has shown interest in keyboard and we bought him once. Since then there is no looking back. Credit should go to YAAM for bringing the talent. Otherwise, his talent would have restricted within our house."

Shajahan, who also teaches guitar and keyboard for free, said that music helps students to focus on their studies. Students in the troop also perform well in their academics. "We have covered most of the homes in the city. We are ready to perform at homes run for various underprivileged people more often, when contacted," he said.