Students Arya Diwase,Ritu Nair and Shamira Dharap are the first Indians to participate in the Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival to be held in Singapore from July 29 to Aug 2 Melodious tunes will ring at the Asia Pacific Harmonica Festival. This festival-cum-competition is being held at Singapore from July 29 to August 2,with acknowledged masters of the instrument participating both in the festivities as well as the competitions. So far,nobody from India has ever qualified,but for the first time,three schoolgirls from Pune Arya Diwase,Ritu Nair and Shamira Dharap will represent India in the 'Chromatic Harmonica' category. For the uninitiated,the harmonica was developed in Europe in the nineteenth century,and is commonly called the mouth organ or the French horn. This instrument fits in with multiple musical genres,like blues,rock and roll and jazz,and many famous personalities are associated with it Abraham Lincoln used to carry one in his pocket. And now,Arya,Ritu and Shamira are trudging towards the path of fame by hoping to win the competition and making the country proud. The competition has three age categories 7-12; 13-18; and 19-plus. The three young girls fall into two of the categories,with Shamira competing in the first and Arya and Ritu competing in the second category. All three study under Upendra Laxmeshwar,a renowned harmonicist himself,at the Harmony Institute of Music,and their teacher is thrilled with his proteges. So far India has only watched from the sidelines,but at last,we are part of the festival, says an excited Laxmeshwar,adding,They will all do very well,and the exposure to competitors from other nationalities will also do them a world of good. He also admits that Shamira's being in the first category will give her a slight edge. Thirteen-year-old Arya has been learning the harmonica for the past two years now. We used to perform quite regularly in concerts,which is how we got recognition and an invite for the festival, she says. I'm just thrilled that all my hard work has paid off. Her mother,Smita,who will accompany her to Singapore,is just as thrilled. It feels good when your child succeeds in life. I think that we parents are even more excited that the kids, she gushes. It will be very good for her to hear and see the masters of the instrument perform, she adds. Ritu Nair,who is just 13,says,"I am really proud to be able to represent the country. At the competition,the standards will be high,and we will be able to learn from other contestants." Her mother,Jaishree is very happy that Ritu has got the opportunity to perform on such a big stage and feels that her success is due to her teacher's encouragement. Shamira Dharap,at the young age of 12,is visibly excited at the prospect of being a part of the festival. I heard my teacher play the harmonica at a concert,and I was so fascinated by its sound,that I started learning it, she recalls,adding,Now for the festival,we have been practising for six months. The thought of representing my country is great,but I am also a little nervous! Laxmeshwar is very proud of his students. As being part of the festival this time is in itself an achievement,I will be satisfied even if they get only a bronze medal at least,it will go down as a record that India has participated. But the next time,I want only the best, he smiles. While Arya will perform songs by Jia-yi-he,one of Ritu's songs is by Ron Goodwin and Shamira will present Billy Vaughn songs at the competition.
