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Musicians with a difference

Tulip Chowhdhury
In many parts of USA, one finds musicians who play musical instruments or sing on street corners. Some play the piano or violin in solitary corners of malls or cafes. T hese are musicians on missions; they do not ask for payments when you stop to listen to them.
I lenry Barcheski, an American musician has been playing drums for over 20 years. I lenry is in his late '40s and often sits on a busy corner of Amherst Genter in Massachusetts and plays drums. 1 le stations himself near a bus stop, a place where commuters are certain to hear him. Every time I cross him, I can feel my heart lift. T he cheerful beats from his drum lend wings to my feet.
I lenry's mission is to play for people, to bring happiness to them. A carpenter by profession, he has his own business. I Ie is an
adherent of the I lare Krishna movement, a spiritual concept advocated by AC Bhaktivedanta Swami. I Ie tells me of following the soul and nature through his music. I lenry is a fan of George I {arrison of the famous rock band of the '60s - T he Beatles. 11arrison was also a keen enthusiast of the 1 lare Krishna movement. In the summer of 1969, the Beatles produced the single "I lare Krishna Mantra", performed by Harrison and the devotees of the Radha-Krishna Temple, London that topped the 10 best-selling record charts throughout UK, Europe, and Asia. I lenry informed me that he is in search of God through his music.
Tommy Nosal, a guitarist in his late '50s, plays his guitar and sings in different parts of Amherst. Tommy got his first guitar when he was 14. I lis elder brother left his guitar to Tommy before leaving for the Vietnam War. 1 le composes many of his songs. I Ie sings
patriotic, folk and spiritual songs. Tommy plays the guitar and the mouth organ simultaneously while he sings. T he mouth organ is attached to his neck very craftily as he sings,
Amazing Grace
I low sweet the sound.
T hat saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind but now I see ...
Upon pausing, he tells me that this is his favourite song, for his mother was named Grace. I le was a television producer and a social worker at one time. Presently, Tommy is writing a book while roaming around as a free bird. I Ie discloses that he has a Masters degree in Social Science from Smith College in Massachusetts. I Ie is a supporter of I lillary Clinton and has composed a song for her calling it "Lady Liberty". As I express surprise at his playing around street corners, he says he wants to cheer people up with his music. As I
listen to him playing as evening sets in, 1 could hear a voice of freedom, being free to play and sing to the call of beauty.
A large designer's shop in the downtown has volunteered to lend its front space to yet another musician. T his is a young man called Edward, who plays the violin with extreme sweetness. There is a small wooden bowl on a table beside him. People donate money for Edward in the bowl, for he is blind. Passersby sometimes sit on a bench, listen for a while and encourage him to play more.
On weekends in the local mall, a corner around the food court becomes lively with sweet notes from piano. T he player, donning dark glasses, plays with his heart into the pouring music. There is a fountain nearby in which people drop coins and make wishes. 1 am told that this donation is given to charity, to the blind pianist who enthralls the weekend crowds.
Many homeless, poor people also take whatever skills of music they have to grace their poverty. They play at bus stops, railway stations or other places where the owners reach out to help them. Many of them are very talented but life did not give them due recognition. I lence they play music or sing for people. A donation is never asked for. A piece of cloth or a container in front of them stands silently speaking of their less fortunate lives. Most of them share a common dream, maybe one day they will become famous like Michael Jackson or Kenny G. Whatever the missions of these musicians, blessed are the people who listen to them, music has this unique gift of lighting up dark corners of life.
Tulip Chowhdhury is a free lance writer and love to express herself through nature and human relations, especially the less fortunate ones.