Madurai jailbirds may sing a different tune now

MADURAI: Life is no song and dance for prisoners, you might think. But soon some inmates of the Madurai Central Prison could be singing a different tune — literally! In what could be a replay of a cinematic theme in real life, jail authorities here have decided to impart vocal and instrumental music classes at the prison here to help ‘lift’ the sombre mood of the inmates. But, much would depend on how the prisoners learn their ‘lessons’.On Monday, when Collector U Sagayam inaugurated the music class at the jail, 38 convicts lapped up the opportunity instantly and enrolled for the two-hour daily training sessions.Teachers and students from the Tamil Nadu Government Music College will teach the prisoners on how best to use their vocal chords or play a flute or violin.College principal Subbulakshmi was around to assure the prisoners that anyone can become a musician or play instruments through training. To encourage the ‘pupils’ Sagayam said: “Just because you are in jail, you should not feel that you have lost your freedom. Music would act as a medicine to overcome mental depression and discipline your mind. You must use this opportunity to acquire an additional skill.” He hoped some of the ‘pupils’ would turn out to be composers once out of prison.According to Central Prison Jailer, B Ilavarasan, an  NGO has donated instruments for training.