Mar 15, 2009
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Tom and Jerry, Sachin Tendulkar are not his icons. His toddler love has transcended toys and cartoons towards a sound activity. This roly-poly kid has his eyes fixed on renowned drummers like Sivamani, Ranjit Barrot, Arun Sukumar and Kishan and Roberto Narain. Six-and-a-half-year-old Mangalorean Galven Martis is destined to rock!
The raw talent and natural ability of this charming toddler bloom within the four walls of his house in Bejai. His tutor Sachin, an ace drummer of the Trinity band, calls it a phenomenal achievement for a child of his age.
His father saw Galven’s forte for playing the drums and desired to give him lessons.
A visit to a music shop at the age of four triggered the interest in the child. "He saw the drum kit and wanted to know more about it. The store keeper played the drums and Galven was struck by the instrument’s charm. He too wished to play it," narrates his father Godfrey Martis.
Galven chanted the ‘I want drums’ mantra for almost three months and eventually forgot it - but not for long. A performance video on TV of an eight-year-old Brazilian drummer triggered it again, but stronger this time.
"He would pester me day and night for drums. It was a huge expense and I was not prepared to take it as children have passing phases of interests. But eventually I gave in and began my search for someone who could teach him drums. All the teachers in Mangalore turned me down and I turned to Sachin," explains Godfrey.
Sachin, who also owns the popular Trinity - The Music School in Mangalore and conducts drums classes for children, was reluctant to take in the four-year-old Galven. "To play drums, one needs a good amount of stamina and a fairly good understanding of rhythm which usually develops after eight years of age. Galven, I felt, was just another child mesmerized with the drums. But I was wrong. I visited him and gave him few lessons. He was quick to pick up and surprised me with his moves. It was then that I realized that this boy has something more in him," said Sachin.
Galven with Sachin
with brother, sister and parents
With two years of practice, musically-talented Galven has completed 13 courses: quite remarkable considering no student of Sachin’s age has crossed this stage so far.
Galven’s dreams came true when he got his own drum kit. Although a second-hand set, Galven cherishes it more than all other possessions. He is relaxed behind the drums and sits as if he is on a throne. He practices for two hours a day.
His mother Veera never gets sick of hearing Galven play the drums hard and loud. Galven’s older siblings Godleva and Gavryel support him always and even play along with him on the keyboard. A student of St Theresa School, Galven is surely a child prodigy who can rock the world!
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