Black, the all-visually challenged 13-member troupe, has performed in as many as 478 venues in the last seven years including shows in the US and Canada.
Kishore Goel, leader of the unique orchestra that enthralled more than 5,000 delegates from 15 countries at the Rotary South Asia Summit 2013 here on Saturday, said the troupe had already performed in all major cities of India.
Incidentally, none of the troupe members has trained in music. The troupe, which has specialised in instrumental music and also present devotional, patriotic and film songs, took the name ‘Black’ after the Amitabh Bachchan starrer, Goel told reporters here on Saturday.
“None of us are trained in music, but music comes naturally for us, and today we perform along with well-known artistes,” he said.
How it all began
Initially, the members came together and performed under the banner, National Organisation of Disabled Artistes.
“The beginning was tough. We did not have a place in Mumbai to practise, too. Ramgat Productions saw the potential in us and has been helping,” Goel added. Kiran Vinkar, the flautist, learned the skills from Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia and uses 35 flutes during a show. Sarfarz Qureshi and Mahesh Nayak are on keyboard and Deepak Kamble on tabla.
Sachin Gaikar is the percussionist, while Mangal, Danial and Chetan are singers.
