It is a youth movement that aims to help street children, orphans and runaway youngsters with the aid of music. Music Basti, the brainchild of 23-year-old Faith Gonsalves, helps underprivileged children and youngsters by imparting to them the knowledge of music, basic education and life skills.

“At Music Basti, we create interactive spaces with underprivileged children. Initially, we were doing it  mainly through music, but dance and theatre were also a part of it. Now, it's become more of an education programme,” says Faith. Through this programme,  besides music, the participants are also given a chance to perform at big concerts. “We look for opportunities, where these children can get maximum exposure. Every month, we make them participate in concerts. This is a part of our Musical Exposure Programme”, says Faith. Music Basti performed recently at the Big Horn Fest.

There are around 15 volunteers and 20 artists working with Music Basti. There are workshops organised for the at-risk youth and children. The Music Workshops Education Programme has local and visiting international musicians imparting classes. The other kind of workshops include Music Skills Development Classes, where students are trained in vocal music, along with musical instrument.

“Within six months, you get to learn quite a lot and also gain experience of working with underprivileged children. I assisted in teaching music to the children,” says Anjuli Chakraborty (26), an intern with the programme for the past six months. To get in touch with Music Basti you can mail at musicbasti@gmail.com

The founder
In 2008, Faith Gonsalves founded Music Basti. She came up with the idea when she was in her final year of college at Lady Shri Ram. While in college, Faith worked on projects that included the Indian Education System, Child Rights.