With Mobile Music Classroom, These Sisters Bring Joy To Mumbai Slums

Vishala and Kamakshi Khurana are like fairies in a storybook, armed with the magical power of music. Every week, the children of bastis in South Mumbai eagerly wait for the sisters to appear in a vibrant yellow bus, bringing with them the joy of melodies and the promise of creativity. This bus is not just a mode of transport; it is a mobile classroom called The Sound Space on Wheels, designed to deliver the gift of musical education directly to children from underprivileged communities.

In an interview with SheThePeople, Vishala and Kamakshi shared their journeys in music and reflected on the inspirations behind The Sound Space on Wheels. They discussed how sharing their musical knowledge has not only enriched their students but also had a profound impact on their own lives.

Livening Communities With Music

Vishala and Kamakshi Khurana were immersed in the arts from a young age and dedicatedly earned their Visharad (degrees) in music. The sisters also pursued a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, which added a deeper understanding of the impact that music can have on emotions and society. 

“Since our father is a musician, we had music in our homes since we have known life,” they shared. “Our childhood was serenaded by music - from morning ragas to musical times tables and joyful bonding experiences. As we studied music, we developed discipline and discovered new perspectives.”

Even today, music remains what they describe as an “indispensable companion” in Vishala and Kamakshi’s lives “The love we have for the subject helped us realise that this is something we can share with so many.” They founded their music school, The Sound Space, to make the art accessible to all.

During the COVID-19 lockdowns, the Khurana sisters were distraught that many of their students could not access their online classes. As life gradually returned to normal, they decided to take their in-person classes directly to the students. In 2023, the seed for The Sound Space on Wheels was planted.

“The students [in slums] are the hardest to reach – not only do they have restricted digital access, but the slum communities they come from are widespread, which makes commuting difficult for our young children,” they detailed. “TSS on Wheels is a moving classroom: it is a bus that will travel from community to community, to bring back the magic of live musical spaces and in-person connection between our teachers and students.”

Reverberating Impact Of Music

TSS on Wheels is a vibrant hub of learning, creativity, and artistic expression. Vishala and Kamakshi expressed, “Children wait for these classes every week so they can hop on, learn music and have fun. It takes them away from some of the troubles at home and the academic pressure they face in school."

Vishala and Kamakshi have identified promising musicians and nurtured them to reach their full potential. "We identify children who show exceptional talent and include them in performances during our shows and through other opportunities." Some of their students have also begun working with them as teachers.

By working with children in the bastis, Vishala and Khurana have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of music, as the students gain confidence, develop new skills, and build lasting friendships. Their initiative has also in turn enriched their own lives as they learn how music can be a tool for social-emotional learning.