Penned By Communications Manager, Aditi Mandali
At Sharana, children have always been at the centre of our work. For over 25 years, we have believed that true development must nurture not only education and livelihoods, but also the cultural and emotional roots of the communities we serve.
For the past two years, Sharana Board Member Dr. Deepa Reddy has been leading weekly singing sessions with children, women from the community and members of the Sharana team. These gatherings have made music and singing an intrinsic part of Sharana’s journey, offering everyone, and especially the children, a joyful way to express themselves and stay connected to their traditions. Through shared practice, participants have strengthened their bond with music while building confidence and a sense of togetherness.
A glimpse into our weekly music circle
Singing during summer camps
This year, as part of Sharana’s 25th anniversary celebrations, Dr. Reddy and the music team presented devotional songs and chanting at the Social Centre. Soon after, they brought the same spirit to the village of Angalakuppam, where nearly a hundred people gathered for an evening of music and community. The children stood out, their enthusiasm lighting up the event as they sang, listened, and joined in; a reminder of how naturally music connects generations and creates spaces of belonging.
In these sessions, children, women, and staff learn together, discovering not only new songs, but also the basics of rhythm and beat. What emerges is more than music: it is a living tradition, kept alive through shared practice, while also opening new spaces for joy, confidence, and self-expression.
the community gathers for one such singing program
As Sharana reflects on 25 years of work, the role of music remains clear. It brings people together, strengthens bonds across the community, and ensures that traditions are not only preserved but lived. In the voices of children and the participation of the wider community, we hear the essence of Sharana’s journey, one that will continue to grow in the years to come.
