“Wish to create a record by playing combination of ‘ten’ different percussion instruments,” enthuses rhythm-sensation Neesha Mokal on Intl. Women’s Day

March 08th is being observed all over as ‘International Women’s Day’.
Phenomenal multi-percussionist Neesha Mokal who has dared to step into a ‘male monopoly’ zone shares her views on ‘I-W-Day’ - Chaitanya Padukone

“Besides dedicating one day annually, exclusively to women, ideally there should be equal opportunities and support-encouragement for all talented ladies to achieve their passionate dreams,” enthuses rhythm-sensation Neesha Mokal, who has a massive fan-following, for her viral-trending YouTube ( over 50 ) videos of chartbuster Bollywood retro-songs meriting five million views like ‘Chunri Sambhaal Gori’) .

Few years ago, at showman film-maker Subhash Ghai’s birthday event on the campus-lawns of ‘Whistling Woods International Institute’ in Mumbai, talented Neesha as part of a concert, displayed her surprise solo rhythmic skills on the ethnic ‘dholki’ on stage.

That too, in the presence of large number of WWII students and celebs like singer Sukhwinder Singh, Adnan Sami, Gulshan Grover, Jackie Shroff and senior percussionist-rhythm maestro Shyam Edwankar ( who also performed that evening).

Recalls dynamic Neesha, “ It was a nervous yet excited feeling while playing. During the break, all the invited as well as performing celebs including host Subhash Ghai-Sir appreciated my solo ‘dholki’ rhythm performance..

It was a huge motivating booster and I specially thank my Latin-American rhythm-Guru Shyam Edwankar-Sir for his constant support and wonderful coaching.in instruments like tumba, conga and bongo etc. Generally playing rhythm instruments is considered a ‘male –monopoly’.

Rarely do we get to see girls playing instruments on stage in public view, “ smiles the modest Mokal, who is otherwise employed full-time as an Asstt. Manager (Audit) in the Modi-Group automobile organization.

She continues, “Passion for rhythm has been my constant heart-throb since childhood . Which is why I also opted for classical-ethnic rhythmic taal-training under Guru-ji Sadanand Jhajam (tabla) and Guru-ji Rajaram Jamsandekar (dholki) and achieved optimum proficiency,”. shares Neesha who has also showcased her skills at various foreign locations.

“My message to all ladies on I-W-Day, is give your 100 per cent output in whichever field you wish to excel. Make the most of your God-given creative talents, be an achiever !

Ignore all jibes of envy-jealousy which are the toxic side-effects of success and popularity,” insists Neesha whose ‘dream ambition’ is perform ‘live’ in the presence of mega-star Amitabh Bachchan , play a combination of ten different percussion-rhythm instruments at a time and also to start a Rhythm-Academy for aspiring girls-women’.

Meanwhile, Neesha’s close associate, noted Bollywood music keyboards musician-cum-arranger Uma Devraj who has been playing professionally, since past 10 years, offers a positive take. Expresses Uma, “Frankly, it’s been a wonderful journey so far. Quite true that playing instruments professionally is still considered a ‘male monopoly’.

But the joyous pride of working in a sector not meant for you is something very different. The respect which I get when I stand on stage and work with ten other brilliant ‘male’ musicians around me is very over-whelming.

It gives me a sense of empowerment, makes me feel good about myself as a woman and as a musician too.” She continues, “ No formal training in notations for me, am self-taught in keyboards.

Learnt by simply watching other people play. I was fortunate and blessed enough that I could grasp most of the things without much difficulty,” shrugs Devraj..

Did Uma face any major hurdles ? “The initial major one being Acceptance ! .It doesn't always go well with all the men to take instructions from a woman. As a keyboards player and an arranger , I need to conduct my band.

Sometimes there were people who got offended.. not because I was less capable as a musician , but because they had to take orders from a woman.

Woman are generally considered delicate and fragile, especially when it involves late-night timings and carrying heavy instruments,” she confides candidly.

On a parting note Uma Devraj says,” I would be like to be both appreciated and criticized solely for my work.. Never have I played the ‘woman-card’ and will never ever do. Otherwise the showbiz music industry is great and the people are also very good,”she signs off.