Frankie Patel, local who has mastered Indian music
What you need to know:
- Later as a professional music educator, Francis regularly participated in Hindi communal activities which he found very inspirational. He adds, “The music of India has a multiple variety of folk, classical, Sufi, pop and fusion and I have found over the years that religious festivals are simply breathtaking. Diwali, Holi, Rakhshah Bandan all have deep social significance as well.
Siting on the panel of judges auditioning music and dance groups that will perform at an event to welcome Indian Premier Narendra Modi, I had the honour to meet with a Kenyan who is no less than an authority on Indian culture, traditional music, dance and related aspects of performing arts.
Francis Nyadida, the only indigenous Kenyan on the panel, is a music consultant, tutor and facilitator at Oshwal Academy Nairobi- Junior High. He strongly believes in the quote “None of us can change our yesterdays, but all of us can change our tomorrows.”
Being envious of Francis’ critical knowledge of the items being auditioned and his analytical appreciation of the theme contents, I sought to know what inspired him to gain such knowledge and learn about Indian music, dance and culture.
“Call me Frankie Shah or Patel” he joked and went on to say that Asians were the majority in the place he used to live and during his primary school days he interacted with his Asian classmates and teachers. As he grew he took keen interest in their culture. He asserts that the culture of India is not an exception for him. It is a diverse and unique one and he loves it.
Later as a professional music educator, Francis regularly participated in Hindi communal activities which he found very inspirational. He adds, “The music of India has a multiple variety of folk, classical, Sufi, pop and fusion and I have found over the years that religious festivals are simply breathtaking. Diwali, Holi, Rakhshah Bandan all have deep social significance as well. They are celebrated as a community without discrimination or distinction of caste, gender or class – I find this unique and awesome.”
To me, Francis is a true Kenyan who exemplifies our founding father, Mzee Kenyatta’s call of harambee, preaching love, peace and unity among members of diverse religious, cultural and ethnic communities.
Last weekend the Sunni Punjabi organisation held an Iftaar at Sir Ali Muslim Club Park Road Nairobi. The groups chairman, Khalid Dar encouraged families and friends who attended the breaking of the Ramadhan fast.
He told his audience that the art of being happy lies in the power of coming together.