In Maharashtra, This Visually Impaired Musical Duo Plays Multiple Instruments

Rajesh Thakur from the Nanded district in Maharashtra is a musical sensation who delivers performances in different states of the country. He is adept at playing instruments like the tabla and the harmonium and is also employed at a music school. He is revered by his pupils and life is great for him except for one small fault in his stars. Rajesh Thakur is visually impaired as he was born blind.

Rajesh Thakur is originally from Bodid in Nanded, bordering Adilabad district. Despite being blind from birth, he remained undeterred. Guided by his teacher’s encouragement, he diligently honed his musical skills, excelling in both singing and instrumental performance. Additionally, he secured a position at the Andula Sangeet School in Bodidi, where students receive instruction in vocal and instrumental music daily.

Furthermore, he extends his reach to various locations in Telangana such as Hyderabad, Warangal and Kamareddy, where he showcases his performances. Additionally, he conducts concerts in Yavatmal, Latur and Osmanabad in Maharashtra, as well as Bidar in Karnataka, among other places. Notably, over the past year, he has been commuting from Bodidi to Adilabad every Sunday, imparting music lessons to eager students. Both children and adults eagerly participate in his music classes, demonstrating a keen interest in learning from him.

The students receive comprehensive music training and even undertake examinations at the Akhil Bharat Gandharva University in Maharashtra. Shabda Deshmukh, hailing from Adilabad, shared with Local18 that her vocal abilities have significantly improved through practising music under Rajesh Thakur’s guidance.

She mentioned that besides vocals, bhajans, kirtans, and classical music are also part of the curriculum. It is interesting to note that when Rajesh Thakur performs at musicals. He is accompanied by another visually impaired young man named Balaji. While Rajesh plays the harmonium, Balaji plays the tabla. Balaji’s hometown is Mannur village in Gudihathnoor mandal of Adilabad.

Leena from Adilabad told Local18 that she and others were captivated by Rajesh Thakur’s vocal and harmonium performance at a program in Mannur village. She further inquired if he would be willing to provide them with voice training as well.