16-yr-old gives civic school students the gift of music

Ananya Agrawal has everything a 16-year-old could want — a smartphone, laptop, a top-of-the-line music system and the prodigious ability to play five musical instruments.

Ananya Agrawal has everything a 16-year-old could want — a smartphone, laptop, a top-of-the-line music system and the prodigious ability to play five musical instruments.

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But unlike most teenagers who would use their skills to start a band or play at a club, Agrawal chooses to spread his music by teaching at a civic school.

So, when he realised that his students had to make do with makeshift instruments, he decided to remedy the situation. On February 11, the Class 10 student gifted the school a whole set of musical instruments. Agrawal organised a second-hand book sale in order to raise money to buy the set. Agrawal teaches at a school that is run by Muktangan, a not-for-profit.

“I was saddened to see that they only had makeshift rattles and drums, made from old cans and bottles,” said Agrawal. “I decided to sell my own books and toys and raised enough money to buy them rhythm instruments and two small keyboards.” He held the sale at his home and school.

Agrawal had a collection of more than 4,000 books, including encyclopaedias and novels. He designed flyers for the sale and put them up in his building and school. He raised Rs5,000 with which he bought tambourines, castanets, rumba sticks, shakers, triangles and keyboards.

“It is great to see a young student work hard for our students and take a special effort to make learning fun for them,” said Sunil Mehta, managing trustee, Muktangan.