Yogesh Bhatt: A very highly placed Govt.employee. Has been playing for many years. Also an enthusiastic painter who does sketching when finds time.


Playing at the Vastrapur Lake, Ahmedabad, on June 8, 2008 (Sunday)

Rohini Jhala (Nee Ruby Narotam)
The only lady(known so far) to play the instrument. A senior citizen, picked up the instrument at a very tender age and has been playing and performing for more than 50 years now. An alumnus of Queen Mary’s, Mumbai, learnt initial lessons of harmonica playing from legendary Firoze Damri. Married Ajitsinh Jhala who served IAF and has retired as Wing Commander.Plays Hindi film songs as well as western notes. "I owe my mouthorgan skills to Mr Damri, who used to teach harmonica to school children in Mumbai till he was well past 90 years," recalls Mrs. Jhala.



Mrs. Jhala performed at the Vastrapur Lake, Ahmedabad,on June 8, 2008 (Sunday)

Harmony of Symphony

Most of us have been playing the harmonica, also called mouth organ, since we were little boys and girls. We had got our first harmonica as our birthday present. We were unaware of the techniques required to play the instrument properly. None the less, the passion of playing the harmonica grew with time. Some of us learned the instrument on our own, some were lucky to have a teacher.

With the passage of time, as we grew older, got married, took up jobs and followed our respective careers, we found hardly any time to play music. However, the love for harmonica remained, though we couldn't display it overtly.

Every city and town has a sizeable number of people who are in love with mouth organ. However, except for the smaller town where everyone knows everyone, very few harmonica players knew each other.

Then came the Internet. And, the world shrunk. The globe became a big village and it was possible for like-minded people to get in touch with one another.

Thanks to social networking websites and discussion forums, some of the harmonica players of Gujarat came together. The love for the instrument got rekindled. The Harmonica Club of Gujarat was born. With over 50 members scattered all across this western Indian state, the Harmonica Club is rocking, and how.

First, the club members decided to perform at a public garden in Ahmedabad every Sunday morning. The idea was to spread awareness among the people who frequented the garden for their morning walk and jog.

The first day brought curious onlookers. The event found coverage in the local media. The next Sunday saw many new members participating.



Today, the love for harmonica has brought together people from various walks of life. They include jurists, businessmen, academics, journalists, doctors,lawyers and engineers.

We will be posting here the harmony created by this motley group of amateur artistes.