Why Malaysian blind musicians want to raise RM40,000 for charity

The blind have unique talents they can offer to society, says Manoghayatiri (second from right). Photos: The Star/Maria Ibrahim

For the past two months, Manoghayatiri Manogaran, 37, has been diligently honing her vocal skills in preparation for the Malaysian Association for the Blind’s (MAB) Deepavali charity concert at Petaling Jaya Civic Centre this Saturday.

Her setlist of seven songs includes classics such as Pulveli Pulveli (from the Tamil movie Aasai), O Butterfly (Meera), and Malligai Malligai (Arasu).

“My choice spans decades (1950s to 2000), and caters to a diverse audience. I believe that music has no age boundaries. Hopefully, they will like my selection of songs.

“I am always excited about every opportunity the visually-impaired are given to showcase our talents. It helps build our confidence and improve our skills, especially in singing and playing musical instruments,” says Manoghayatiri during an interview at MAB’s headquarters in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.

'Engaging in activities one is passionate about brings a sense of fulfilment and happiness,' says Manoghayatiri.

Her enthusiasm is inspiring for people with disabilities who aspire to follow their passions.

Manoghayatiri, an assistant welfare officer at MAB, admires singers like Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and Andrea Bocelli. Despite their visual impairment, they have etched their names in musical history with their extraordinary voices.

She’s also in awe of Indonesian blind singer, Putri Ariani, 17, who mesmerised the audience with her awe-inspiring performance on America’s Got Talent (AGT) 2023. Putri Ariani went on to secure the fourth spot at the finals of the popular reality TV competition.

“Being blind should not stop us from achieving greater things. In fact, it should motivate us to prove that we can excel in any field we choose,” shares Manoghayatiri who lives in Mantin, Negri Sembilan.

She adds that pursuing their passion empowers individuals with disabilities to overcome obstacles, shatter stereotypes and inspire others to follow their dreams.

By pursuing their passions, the blind can contribute to arts, culture and various industries, enriching the world with their creativity.

Gifted with voice

Manoghayatiri’s journey into music began at the age of 10 when she attended vocal training lessons in her hometown. Over the years, she has performed at about 30 events, for MAB and other organisations. She has even shared the stage with popular Indian playback singer Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, who is also blind.

“I enjoy singing because it allows me to share my feelings, dreams and stories with the world.”

The path to success is not without challenges, but Manoghayatiri’s determination shines through. Despite her visual impairment, she commutes daily from Mantin to MAB’s office in KL.

“If I can travel by KTM Komuter daily to work across two states, no one should complain about driving to work each day (laughs). Every journey begins with a single step, and for me, that step is onto the commuter train, despite my visual impairment,” says Manoghayatiri, who was born blind.

The eldest of two siblings, she lives in her hometown with her parents.

Manoghayatiri hopes the charity concert will allow more people to witness the talents of the blind and join them in supporting a noble cause – raising funds for MAB.

“Contrary to perceptions, we, the blind, are capable. In our upcoming charity concert, seven blind musicians will showcase their talents on instruments like drums, keyboard and tabla. Some among us are gifted mimicry artists too.”

Tineshwaran Rachandran may be blind but he's a talented pianist, drummer and mimicry artist.

Enhancing marketability

MAB chief executive officer Datuk George Thomas aims to raise RM40,000 from the charity concert to purchase musical instruments for its members.

“Our goal is to equip the visually-impaired with skills to enhance their marketability. We are partnering with Akademi Seni Budaya Warisan dan Kebangsaan (Aswara) to create a training programme to teach traditional music, singing and vocals to the blind.

One of the biggest challenges the blind face is employment, brought about by misconceptions and prejudices, says Thomas.“We hope to begin the course in December, with the participation of 26 students between the ages of 20 and 40. Our aim is to chart a career development plan for the visually-impaired. We hope to create another career for them so that they have more options than becoming weavers or masseurs.”

He emphasises that one of the biggest challenges the blind faces is gaining employment due to misconceptions and prejudices. There is a common notion that the blind can’t perform duties because they cannot see, he adds.

“Over 400 visually-impaired graduates in the country are vying for jobs. They are more than capable, thanks to technology and applications that have revolutionised the way they navigate the world. Being blind should not inhibit these individuals from employment.”

This Sunday, MAB will be partnering with Leo Club of Brickfields Asia College to organise a 2.5km White Cane Day walk around Brickfields, to raise awareness on the importance of the white cane as a symbol of independence and mobility for the visually-impaired. Volunteers will collect donations during the walk to purchase white canes for the blind.

“White canes are not just tools; they’re a symbol of independence, enabling the blind to navigate the world with confidence. We recommend white canes as vital safety tools for the visually-impaired. These canes – sourced from Hong Kong, India, and Canada – are distributed to those who require them,” Thomas said.

For more information on MAB’s Deepavali charity concert and White Cane Day walk, contact MAB at 03-2272 2677 (Katherine).