Mumbai’s ‘Music Over Darkness’ concert spotlights visually impaired musicians and their Western music talent

Marzy F Parakh restaurateur philanthropist activist and founder of Live to Give Foundation will be hosting and performing at a musical concert called Music Over Darkness at the National Centre for the Performing Arts NCPA in SoBo on September 12Nitesh Sonawane in black and white and Lawrence DrsquoSouza hitting the high notes as they prepare for the show PicsSayyed Sameer AbediThe performance which incidentally is all sold out is headlined by Marzy and his twin brother Mark alongside a group of visually impaired musiciansMarzy Parakh believes music is the language of the soulMarzy said ldquoThis is about bringing Western music to the stage through the talent of visually impaired musicians The specially assembled ensemble of visually impaired musicians brings together vocalists guitarists keyboard players drummers and other instrumentalists for an evening centred around Western music jazz pop and contemporary repertoirerdquoArtist lineupNitesh Sonawane visually impairedComposer lyricist keyboardist and certified jazz pianist Sonawane has been pursuing music for over 15 years His philosophy is refreshingly simple ldquoFirst Irsquoll perform my best the audience will cheer if they enjoy itrdquoDavid Nimbalkar visually impairedNimbalkar a renowned drummer whose musical journey began in Pune and then Mumbai has played with a number of bands He has played with bands performing songs by artists like Madonna and Michael Jackson alongside classics like Walk of Life She Drives Me Crazy and Sweet Child Orsquo MineRitvik Rajan visually impairedRajan is a professional singer and multiinstrumentalist He has pursued Western vocal and rock and pop music through Trinity College London He is proficient in keyboard harmonium melodica and tablaNeha Gianani visually impairedPopularly known as Songbird Neha Gianani is a singer performing artist vocal coach and certified music educator Her versatility across Indian and Western musical genres makes her an important part of this unique ensembleLawrence DrsquoSouza visually impairedHis musical journey began after he lost his sight to meningitis at 10 months of age DrsquoSouza has performed with various gig bands and also taught music He wants to build a more inclusive world through musicMarzy and Mark F Parakh sightedHe is a philanthropist restaurateur trained classical singer and founder of Live To Give Together with his twin brother Mark Parakh an internationally acclaimed pianist Marzy expanded the Live To Give movement into the Live To Give Band a unique musical ensemble comprising visually impaired musiciansVisual representationMarzy said ldquoTalented visually impaired musicians had ability but the opportunities available to them often tended to revolve around Hindi music classical music or more familiar forms of performance There was a genuine audience for Western music too but there were very few platforms where visually impaired Indian musicians could be seen performing it at a professional levelrdquoFocus onhellipMarzy explained ldquoI donrsquot want the evening to be presented simply as a concert featuring lsquodisabled musiciansrsquo That description can sometimes reduce an artist to their disability These are musicians first Their blindness should not become the most interesting thing about their music Their musicianship shouldrdquoLaunch notesThis show is the official announcement of the availability of this band for commercial performances going forward website wwwlivetogiveindiaorgBooking link httpsinbookmyshowcomeventsmusicoverdarknessET00506676 all sold outThe playlist My way Itrsquos now or never Delilah Canrsquot help falling in love Stumblinrsquo in Hero Crazy little thing called love Blue suede shoes Walk of life Sweet CarolineBackstreet Boys Medley Sway Karma Chameleon Stand by me Country roads Everything I do Summer of 69 Perfect Jailhouse rock I saw her standing there My heart will go on Mama mia Teddy bear I will survive Cloud number 9 Lovestory