Get the album
Monkey on the Roof is a recording of music for your kids by these kids. Watch the videos to learn about how the record was made and what the Music Basti project does. Click the image to get your own copy of the album, and pay whatever you think it is worth! All proceeds go to the Music Basti charity.Dil Se Campaign
Meet the children from the Dil Se Campaign, Delhi, India. "Dil Se" Campaign is an initiative led by Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) Delhi, Government of Delhi, the Dil Se Campaign is a joint endeavor with the Center for Equity Studies (CES) and Aman Biradari. Dil Se is not about short-term solutions; it is about building capacity in all sectors of society to help ensure that the most vulnerable urban street children have nutritious food, protection, health care, and proper education.
Proudly made by:
With special thanks to Amitabh Kumar for the album artwork.
Interview with Harjina
Faith interviewed some of the children involved in the Music Basti workshops about what they like about music and how it affects their lives.
Singing and clapping
Rhythm training is an essential component of the musical experience, it not only serves to build this skill, but it also enhances the children’s ability to cooperate, listen, and unlike otherwise in life, any discord is met with laughter and a new beginning!
What does Music Basti do?
Faith is the project leader for Music Basti. Here, she explains what the organisation does, and how the volunteers and musicians work together to bring music to the street children of Delhi.
Laughing in the rhythm workshop
The workshops are places of learning and are developed with a clear and serious curriculum. But it’s also important that the kids enjoy themselves.
Introducing our record producer Ian Wallman
Ian is a member of New Music Strategies, an award-winning record producer and all-round nice guy. It’s his first time in India.
Suhail talks about what we did today
An overview of the day’s workshop.
Singing with Suhail
The children sing “Kahana Re”, a song that has traveled through centuries and finds a new home with the children’s rendition in the walls of the girls’ home tucked away in a hidden, overpopulated corner in Old Delhi.
Secret handshake
BCU Researcher Jez Collins had recently been working on a project in the barrios of Medellin, Colombia working with hip hop artists. He brought some of the culture with him to Delhi.
Scales with the harmonium
Professional musician Neeraj plays the harmonium to give the children the notes to warm up and learn the scales.
Rhythm and vocals
Chayan Adhikari of Advaita leads the girls through an exercise involving listening and clapping, rhythm and motor skills, count with them!
1 (ek) and (aur) 2 (doh) aur 3 (teen) aur 4 (chaar) aur…!
Recording Daulat
Neeraj instructs the children to listen and sing carefully, as he strums energetically and the children sing the vehement song that questions wealth, status, luck, fate, gender discrimination and claims that we as children aren’t bothered with all these differences, in this world of liars we continue to speak the truth.
Quiet time with Five8
The children listen to the band carefully while Robin sings the melody of their powerful song, “Boondon Mein” (In raindrops) before they record!