“Shout as loud as you can!!”… I don’t think anyone or any teacher must have ever allowed these students to do so up until now…
During the Taal Inc. Jr. Drum Circle organized by Pasch in Muktangan English School, Pune, on the occasion of ‘Children’s Day’, approximately 1500 students along with the 100; who were drumming expressed themselves freely with reckless abandon and yet made music together. To sum it up, there was excitement, coordination, sheer enjoyment and great enthusiasm. Out of the many Drum Circles that I have facilitated, this was a memorable one…
Teachers could articulate it as “relaxation, energy, stress reduction and fun”, the young boys and girls came running to meet me, thank me and even take my autograph. They made my day. Music makes a hero out of an artist is what I knew, but I did not know that it would be applicable for a drum Drum Circle facilitator too. This event revealed to me the power of a drum circle. When I entered the circle, which was surrounded by those who were sitting there to watch what was happening, I picked up, very quickly, that the crowd was itching to participate in this novel activity.
Instead of making them sit idle in the Djembe Circle I made them clap and sing. It was overwhelming to witness the innocence that these tiny ones carried along with curiosity and confidence. I did not have to call for their attention as they were already there in the moment. Adults plan and try to be “In the present”, children, however, achieve it unintentionally, naturally and organically. I started with the quintessential drum circle rhythm – the park rhythm and sang songs which sounded funny (because they were in a language no one probably understood – Malinke). Teachers were drumming with the children and for a few moments I noticed the child within them surface but only to quickly dive back in since they had to help me in taking charge of the army of children that surrounded me. Taking them through exercises such as layering, sculpting and volume dynamics was not at all difficult as children are gifts and are very present in the here and now. This makes them very good followers and leaders all rolled into one!
I constantly had to keep an eye on the on-looking participants as they were supporting the drumming group with nothing but their energy throughout. The whole process led me to sing MORIBAYASSA – as I was already experiencing unadulterated joy (needless to say, that’s exactly what the Malinke word means)
To conclude, I wish all adults the power to invoke in them the spirit of joy and happiness like children!
May they Come. Drum. Be One.
– Anand Godse (Drum Circle Facilitator, Taal Inc.)
Varun is the founder and director of Taal Inc.
The visionary behind the motto
Come. Drum. Be One.
To read more about him Click Here