Ambala jail inmates hone musical talent

Nitish Sharma

A group of 20 inmates in the Central Jail, Ambala, have been polishing their musical talent under project ‘Dhun’ being run by the jail in collaboration with the Indian Vision Foundation and Sony Pictures.

Two music teachers — one vocalist and one for instruments — have been training them. A project coordinator is also there to look after the complete project, which was started in July this year.  The India Vision Foundation was founded by Kiran Bedi, and it trains, skills, counsels and motivates communities in and outside of the prison. 

For this project, a soundproof studio-cum-audition room has been developed and decorated in the school building of the Central Jail, Ambala. The aim of the project is to de-stress jail-inmates and nourish their talent in the fields of song and music. It covers identification of talent in the first phase and thereafter polishing and refining the skills of prisoner both in vocal and instrumentation in the second phase.

The inmates, who have been getting training, perform on various occasions and events organised in the jail. Recently, a special programme was also organised in the jail on October 7 in which the inmates had performed before Jails Minister Krishan Lal Panwar, and Director General, Prisons, K Selvaraj. The officials had appreciated their performance. 

Lakhbir Singh, Jail Superintendent, Ambala, says, “At present, 20 prisoners are learning music skills. Special teachers, expert in vocal and instrumental music, have been roped in to train them at the Central Jail. Music classes are held every day and prisoners are showing a positive tendency in maintaining a healthy and stress-free environment in the jail”.

Almost all required instruments, including drums, guitars, dholaks, and pianos, are available in the jail. 

The Jail Superintendent says, “The jail inmates had performed on Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti too. Music helps them in relieving stress. Professional training being provided will help them to achieve professional skills in music”.

“Through this project, the hidden talent of prisoners for singing and playing musical instruments will be shaped and exposed to the outside world with the aid of the Sony TV channel. It will boost the experience of the participants of the project Dhun and will open new channels for them to make it a career in their life after jail,” says Lakhbir.

According to information, the Sony TV channel is also planning to bring a show for prisoners on the pattern of the Indian Idol.