My father, Balbir Singh, was – along with my uncle and cousins – in a band called Bhujhangy Group, which was the first Asian band to introduce bhangra music to the UK in 1964. As such, I grew up in a very musical environment, and all I wanted to do was play different instruments. I quickly worked out that picking up a loud instrument over a quiet one made me stand out from the crowd and helped me get some attention.
Despite my musical childhood, I didn't have access to music lessons, or any classes that would allow me to try out different instruments. I was lucky, being brought up in a musical family and surrounded by musicians who played instruments on a daily basis. It was inspiring to see how music bought people together from various communities when times were hard.
As I grew up I began to wonder where all the ladies were and I quickly discovered there were no classes for girls, while those who were interested were hesitant and may not even have been allowed to take part – even with a female teacher present. So I decided to do something about it: in 1999 I created my own dhol drumming team called Eternal Taal, which means Everlasting Beats. Students joined me from all over the Midlands and we were able to perform at various events across the Birmingham area. It was then that I realised my life was going to be dedicated to music.
My music has helped me grow in confidence, made me determined and motivated me in my struggles against negativity. The students and lessons make my life exciting and thrilling; every day is different. With my music, I have travelled the world and performed to thousands of people in many interesting places – among them the House of Commons, Glastonbury, in Bollywood movies and even on the Graham Norton Show.
Music for All's Learn to Play Day, like Eternal Taal, encourages people to try a musical instrument by acting as a platform that supports music education for future generations. This is why I am delighted to be one of their ambassadors. We want to inspire people to take up an instrument, change their perceptions and experience the joys that making music can bring.
There are many reasons to make music and increase access to learning for all people. I am particularly interested in encouraging women to be involved; music is one among many other fields that has remained male-dominated. I want to show others that if I can study, get married, work and maintain my role as a successful musician, so can they.
Music changed my life and I believe the Learn to Play Day initiative is the perfect opportunity for anyone – including girls and women – to take their first steps in achieving their ambition of playing an instrument. I have always felt that if someone has a desire to learn an instrument, they should be given an opportunity to try. The free taster lessons available across the country on Learn to Play Day could be the stepping stone in a process that changes one girl's life in a positive way forever.
There can be a lot of stigma associated with females showing their passion for music publically. Resources like Learn to Play Day help to not only offer opportunities regardless of background, but they also influence changes in perceptions. I know that music can bring people together, open new doors and improve self-reliance, because that is what it has done for me. As an ambassador for Music for All and Learn to Play Day, my aim is to help even more people start their musical journey.
I and Eternal Taal, the UK's first female Indian dhol drumming team are delighted to be involved in Learn to Play Day teaching bhangra drumming and dancing to a wider audience.
Parv Kaur is the award-winning founder of Eternal Taal and is a globally-acclaimed bhangra musician and dhol drummer. She is celebrating 25 years of being in the bhangra music industry this year and Music for All are ‘delighted to have someone so passionate and determined’ working with them.
Learn to Play Day take place on 17 and 18 March 2018 with events at more than 120 venues nationwide. It offers the public more than 12,000 free taster lessons on a range of musical instruments.
