UK Disability History Month – The Baluji Music Foundation
Written by Jo Cooney, Community Development Project Manager, BIG Alliance
The 16th November to the 16th December 2022 marks UK Disability History Month – a month that creates a platform to focus on the history of disabled people’s struggle for equality and human rights. This month, the BIG Alliance spoke to Baluji Shrivastav OBE, an Indian multi-instrumentalist and composer, and his wife – musician and writer – Linda Shanson, to find about what UK Disability Month means to them, and about the fantastic work they carry out.
Baluji is the founder and artistic director of the Baluji Music Foundation – a blind-led, inclusive arts organisation encouraging participation in music from all different backgrounds. The Baluji Music Foundation was established in 2008 by Baluji and his wife. A main part of the foundation is the Inner Vision Orchestra, which was founded in 2012, to give professional opportunities and employment to blind and partially sighted musicians and to raise awareness of the issues facing them in establishing their careers. In 2017, Baluji was awarded the OBE for his services to music and as founder of the Inner Vision Orchestra.
Thank you taking the time to talk to us. Tell me more about the Baluji Music Foundation and the work you do today?
We do a lot at the Baluji Music Foundation, and the main purpose of the foundation is to promote opportunities for blind people to be in the music industry. Over the years, I experienced different languages and types of music when I took mini cabs driven by people from across the world. This then gave me the idea for the Inner Vision Orchestra. The orchestra has people from all over the world, who are registered blind who play different instruments. We have a people from Japan, Lebanon, Iran, Colombia and Nigeria. Another purpose of the foundation is the build confidence for blind people, and we do this by running workshops with the charity Eye Matter.
Do you think the general opinion of people with disabilities has changed in the past 10 years?
Yes definitely! There is now a more positive representation and very different to say 10 years ago. Not only this, but there is also a wider representation of disabled people on TV and radio too. The Inner Vision Orchestra performed at the closing ceremony of the Paralympics alongside Chris Martin! Previously, there has always been a tension that people either feel pitiful or think blind people are extraordinary. The truth is those people just wanted to be treated as normal. Saying that, we still have a long way to go.
Have you been able to access any volunteering opportunities promoted by the BIG Alliance? If so, what have you gained from this?
Yes, I am currently taking part in Leaders in Partnership. I am partnered with a volunteer who has been helping us with many activities such as how to organise our website to make it more attractive for our funders. It’s extremely useful getting feedback from someone who works in a completely different field and who has a lot of experience. In addition, it is extremely motivating having a coach that is extremely interested in the work you do. We also found our trustee through BIG Alliance too!
Has volunteering helped you overcome any challenges (e.g., break any stereotypes about people with disabilities)?
Definitely, and I see it every day with the volunteers that come and work with us. We help the volunteers and educate them on how they can communicate with blind people. We help them to become more blind aware. Volunteers are extremely important for our organisation.
What is the Baluji Music foundation working on at the moment?
We currently have a residency at RichMix in Bethnal Green where we do lots of performances. The Inner Vision Orchestra have recently played at Islington Town Hall and the Pleasance Theatre. We are also embarking on some research looking at the music industry and the barriers people with disabilities may face in this industry. In addition, we are hoping to compose the world’s first opera in Urdu! We are also looking for a permanent venue for the Inner Vision Orchestra to practice.
Any last comments?
People who don’t know anything about music should attend our workshops. I believe that everyone is musically talented, music is easy to latch on to and you can perform anywhere!
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