Goundar’s inspiring musical journey
FOR some, the love for music starts in the latter years of their lives, but for others their passion for the creative arts begins in early childhood years and never stops.
This musical journey resonates with Meghna Mahima Goundar, a 21-year-old music fanatic who reminisces that her early years of finding music were therapeutic and connected to the soul.
“My childhood has been full of experiences,” Goundar says.
“As a student I have had to balance and prioritise my academic life and music above other activities because at times I would not feel excited about learning and I would dread practice sessions.
“Everyone at home has been very passionate about music, so I was raised in an environment where I would find someone humming a melody while another would be rehearsing for a full-fledged concert.”
Goundar’s father had a band called the Millennium Orchestra and they would often rehearse for concerts all over Fiji.
“Initially, my brother was the only child artist of the band and I would see him at home practising for his performance.
“I would sometimes join him for riyaaz (practice), watching him learn the basics of the harmonium.
“At that time, the lessons were what our father taught us through his experience as lead vocalist of our band.
“As time went by, I quickly showed more interest and began grasping the basics along with my brother, then the practice sessions became more consistent that I became part of the band.”
In the process, the young Indian classical singer experienced the trial and error of perfecting a melody. She started learning music and performed a duet for the first time with her brother at a concert in Ba.
Goundar says her vision of the future was not quite fully taking on the part of a musician.
“I think every kid dreams of a whole new profession each day and so did I, but the only difference was that regardless of what I did, I knew I was never leaving music behind. So for me, whatever career I’d choose, be it a vet, pilot or an engineer, it was always to be done in balance with music.
“As a kid I did not understand much about the rules of choosing a profession but as
I grew older, I realised there were many factors that influence what you decide to do as a profession.
“I slowly understood that it would be very tough to pursue Indian classical music as a profession in Fiji because of the lack of job opportunities.
“However, there came a phase when I began seeing the results of all the practice I’d been doing, and that itself was enough to motivate me to continue learning and practising.”
Starting at the tender age of four, learning music had its challenges.
“I started learning music at home when I was four years old but only started formal vocal lessons when I was around eight years old,” she shared.
“I received vocal and harmonium lessons from Mr Vivek Anand, who has hugely contributed towards the growth of Indian classical music in Fiji.
“Besides that, I was often given the chance to take part in school functions to showcase my talent with other very talented friends of mine.
“And because of opportunities like these, I was able to meet new people, learn about their interests and what they looked forward to do in their respective fields.”
It was then that Goundar came to know about the Shankar Mahadevan Academy.
“It’s an online institute that offers lessons in various genres of music, but what caught our attention was the carnatic vocals.
“I started learning carnatic classical when I was 14 years old and got the opportunity to learn from three extremely knowledgeable carnatic vocal teachers at the academy.
“Eventually, as we began releasing music to the public, I received Hindustani classical lessons from Mr Pradeep Pandit, who also composed three out of five songs from my second album Kyo ho gya.”
Goundar says that throughout the years, she has learnt so much from her teachers that she still currently practises what she learnt from them.
For the young singer, it is important to understand that it is just as special to have a set of skills that can help you in life and maybe even support you in achieving your goals. And this is one reason for continuing with her music – to bring more light to not just music but other art forms so that talented people can receive the proper exposure and that, ultimately, such art forms can lead to a full-time professional career.
Stay tuned for the second last part of Ms Goundar’s musical journey to success.
As a student I have had to balance and prioritise my academic life and music above other activities because at times I would not feel excited about learning and I would dread practice sessions
– Meghna Mahima Goundar