Migrant Voices CD Project

Nepalese Band

2006-08-17T00:09:00.000+08:00

A new insertion to the Migrant Voices family! We are greatful to our dear Nepalese friend Wali Lama who have hooked us up with a young group of Nepalese migrants. Made of students and one construction worker all below 30 years old, the group have practiced together and are serious about a musical career! They performed for us and we were instantly won over by their songs sung in Nepalese comprising of traditional folk tunes and modern pop rock.

Here's a video link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3vSHV9zwNg
Pardon the poor quality!

HOME Talentime

2006-08-11T11:03:00.000+08:00

We started the HOME Talentime two months ago and since then have wrapped up the first rounds. The Talentime was held at 2 shelters - Serangoon Gardens and Siglap. There are 2 categories - Group and Individual.

The women started off the Talentime slowly and gained momentum each week as they anticipate our presence. Shaun Teo and Ruby Cana gave tips on voice projection and stage presence. Using these knowledge, the women sang songs in their native languages and some English ones too. We saw their energy heightened and the ladies began experimenting with different styles.

Each week, we rotated between the Group and Individual category picking winners each week with guest judges like HOME founder Bridget Liew and Migrant Voices Members, Susy Bungsu and Ruby Pan.

With the first rounds over, we've taken a month break. This time, the women are gearing up for the 2nd rounds which will then lead to the finals. We're very near to crowning our HOME Talentime Group and Individual winners!

One Degree Asia

2006-07-28T14:05:00.000+08:00

Tinig Pinoy's (Ruby Cana and Arturo) and Laras which was formerly known as Darul Arqam (Amy Fatah and Siti Muyasaroh) performed at the Conrad International Hotel for One Degree Asia. One Degree Asia is a week long forum that houses international youth delegates to convene and share with each other.

Here's a video :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_PpOxm7AKY

Darul Arqam @ Berita Harian

2006-07-17T17:19:00.000+08:00

Pix

2006-04-02T22:50:00.000+08:00

Braema Mathi, guest speaker

Warut from thai band, Singsaderd

Tinig Pinoy

Darul Arqam

Post Launch Coverage, 7th March 2006

2006-03-17T14:39:00.000+08:00

Upcoming Events

2006-03-13T14:55:00.000+08:00

Racial Harmony Day gig
23rd July 2006, Sunday
Changi Beach opposite Changi Village, 4.30pm

One Degree Asia
29 July 2006, Saturday
Singapore Management University (SMU)
www.onedegreeasia.org

SeptFest
23rd September 2006, Saturday
The Substation, 5pm

Today, March 4th 2006

2006-03-13T11:07:00.000+08:00

Migrant workers take centrestage
Weekend March 4, 2006
What: Migrant Voices CD Launch
When: Saturday and Sunday, 7.30pm
Where: Esplanade Outdoor Theatre

Few of the people who come to Singapore to take jobs as maids and construction workers could imagine it might lead to fame and fortune. But for the workers who appear on Migrant Voices, a charity album that is a showcase for their musical talents, that dream is a step closer to reality.

Consisting of twenty tracks performed by migrant workers from India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, the album will be launched this weekend at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre with performances by the featured bands on Sunday. Singapore bands will perform at the same venue on Saturday.

Proceeds from the sale of the charity album, priced at $12, will be donated to migrant workers' shelters in Singapore. The songs range from traditional Indonesian and classical Indian compositions to Filipino pop and Thai folk rock."The idea for the album came from a group of independent volunteers," said Sha Najak, the project organiser. "Through interaction with a few workers' welfare organisations, we got to know of these bands and we thought it would be great if we could highlight their musical efforts and showcase their talents."

For Siti Nurjanah, lead singer of the Indonesian band Darul Arqam: "It was a dream come true to be able to record songs on a CD."The 36-year-old maid, who rehearsed and recorded the songs with her band on Sundays, also voiced gratitude for her employer's support. " Not all my friends are as lucky as me to be able to get a day off on Sundays," she said.

Patrick Chng, chairman of Music for Good, a non-profit organisation that benefits disadvantaged youth, spent two months working with the bands in the recording studio after being approached with the idea of putting together the CD."It's a worthy cause," he said.

"These migrant workers take on jobs that Singaporeans are unwilling to do."

"They are looked upon as unskilled and of lower standing but in reality, they are like you and me. They have hopes and dreams and, of course, talent."

Amelynn Liong

Press Coverage

2006-03-13T11:00:00.000+08:00

Pre-launch

Straits Time Life!, March 2nd 2006

TODAY, March 4th 2006

Straits Times Life!, March 4th 2006

Audio Reload, March 4th 2006

Post-launch

Straits Times Life!, March 7th 2006

Album reviews

Shape, May issue 2006

Audio Reload, March 3rd 2006

Others

Berita Harian

Where To Buy The CD?

2006-03-12T01:24:00.000+08:00

You can buy the Migrant Voices CD at the following places:

Instant Karma
The Heeren Shops
Orchard Road Level 5

***
Earshot
The Arts House
1 Old Parliament Lane
Singapore 179429

***

Straits Records43 Haji Lane (Arab Street)Opens Daily : 2.30pm to 11.00pm
***

CD Launch - Darul Arqam's Side Story

2006-03-10T13:17:00.000+08:00

The CD Launch on Sunday 5 March was exciting for all of us from Darul Arqam group. It's not everyday that we go to Esplanade, let alone performing on the stage! :-) We arrived at around 4.15 pm for sound test.

We did not expect to have an audience so early before the show, so the ladies were a little nervous at their first go for the sound test. But after two goes, they started to get comfortable enough to self-criticize that they did not sing as well as they did during practice :-)

Next is Mbak Siti with her original poem.

(Mbak is a Javanese word which translates as "older sister". One of its use is to refer to a woman in a friendly manner.)

She actually memorized the whole (rather long) poem. She said this was necessary for her to really get into the soul of the poem. And how she delivered! Mbak Amy even said, jokingly of course, "Mbak Siti, don't give it your all yet! Save some for the performance later."

There were quite a number of people who happened to pass by and were willing to stop by, sit down, and listen for a while. We would like to thank you for that. What you did was a great moral boost for us.

After the sound test, our 7 singers practised further on their own. Then it was preparation time for the real performance. While the ladies and gentlemen were changing into their best clothes, Endina, Tse Mei (who played the keyboard) and I bought them dinner from nearby eating place.

And after some confusion (mainly due to nervousness), it's finally show time!

The first one to perform was Mbak Siti with her poem. If you are interested in the story she told, you can find the poem as well as its English translation here.

Then follows our main song, Prahu Layar, and one extra song special for the CD Launch, Neo Shalawat. You can find out more about Prahu Layar, including lyrics and its translation, here. You can even listen to Prahu Layar track from the CD here.
Unfortunately, due to copyright reasons, we cannot post the lyrics of Neo Shalawat.

The audience was really supportive. The outdoor theater was full and everyone was responsive to what was happening on stage. For all your support, we thank you very, very much.

After the performance, we finally had a chance to have dinner. Then we spent a lot of time to take pictures :) It was rather difficult to get everyone in one photo with all the excitements, but we did manage to take a group photo. (Unfortunately, Tse Mei is missing.)

And then we all headed back home. But that's not the end. Sunday was Migrant Voices CD Launch, so you can still order a copy of the CD. You can either:

write an email to migrantvoices@gmail.com and we will arrange it for you; or
get it yourself from one of the places listed here.

Thank you for your support!

Migrant Voices @ Myspace.com

2006-03-09T00:57:00.000+08:00

We are also at www.myspace.com/migrantvoices so check us out!

I Believe Lyrics

2006-02-26T13:54:00.000+08:00

I Believe
performed by Tinig Pinoy

I believe for every drop of rain that falls, a flower grows
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night, a candle glows
I believe for everyone who goes astray,
Someone will come to show the way?

I believe, I believe
I believe above the storm the smallest prayer will still be heard
I believe that someone in the great somewhere hears every word

Every time I hear a newborn baby cry,
Or touch a leaf, or see the sky,
Then I know why I believe

Every time I hear a newborn baby cry,
Or touch a leaf, or see the sky,
Then I know why I believe

Pusong Salawahan / Ang Tangi Kong Pag-Ibig Lyrics

2006-02-26T13:28:00.000+08:00

These two are love songs which the Filipinos call Kundiman. These are traditional old songs which tells of passionate love being hailed as martyrs or love.

Pusong Salawahan

(Girls): Taksil ka man sa pagsinta
Malilimot pa ba kita
Yan ay di ko magagawa
Habang akoy ako sinta

(Boys): Pagkat kong palad koy ito
Ang masawi pa rin sa iyo
Magtitiis pa rin ako

(All): At kung ikaw man ay ganyan
Na may pusong salwahan
Habang akoy nasasaktan
Lalo kitang minmahal...

Ang Tangi Kong Pag-Ibig

(Girls): Ang tangi kong pag-ibig
Ay minsan lamang
Ngunit ang iyong akala
Ay hindi tunay

(Boys): Hindi ka lilimutin
Magpakailan pa man
Habang ako ay narito
At may buhay

(All): Malasin mot nagtiis
Ng kalungkutan
Ang buhay koy unti-unti
Nang pumapanaw
Wari ko ba sinta
Akoy mamamatay
Kung di ikaw ang kapiling
Habang buhay

Ocean Lyrics

2006-02-26T13:16:00.000+08:00

OCEAN
By Richard

Crossing beyond familiar horizons
In search of fortune we came,
Forgetting our flesh and blood
We flew here in earnest
Oh all the sorrows in each of our families
We forget ourselves in seeking to rescind them.

We rise before the birds,
Dutifully, responsibly we set off for our tasks
Man and machines are not all that different it seems,
Burdens, heavy as they may be, are still filled with
goodness.

Different languages, different creed.
Yet our love does not lessen
In sickness and disability, looking out for each other.
Yet, Mother, is that anything in this world that can
be greater than your Love?

Translated by Bharathi Manogaran and Prashant Somosundram.

Information about Migrant Voices CD

2006-02-12T22:10:00.000+08:00

Dear Friends,

"Migrant Voices", an initiative to bring together the musical talents of our friends from overseas who have put in their heart and soul to the growth of Singapore society, aims to raise funds through a music album. Many of these people have left their loved ones at home to work here hoping to provide a better life for them. Bringing them together, we hope to share an insight of their life through their songs.

In conjunction with The Necessary Stage's M1 Fringe Festival 2006, a group of volunteers are putting together a CD of songs written and performed by migrant workers from the Philippines, Thailand, India and Indonesia. They are work permit holders who hold such jobs as domestic workers, construction and factory workers. The CD will also include original poems and excerpts from interviews with workers and activists from NGOs that cater to migrant workers. The aim is also to raise funds for some of the same group of migrant workers who have gotten themselves in some distress in Singapore. The funds will be distributed towards the betterment of the migrant society here.

If you wish to contact us, we can be reached at migrantvoices@gmail.com

With Love,

The Migrant Voices Team

Darul Arqam's group photos

2006-02-10T13:41:00.000+08:00

In preparation for the CD, the ladies from Darul Arqam group practice singing on most Sundays from October 2005 to February 2006. The Necessary Stage is kind enough to provide us with a place to practice, complete with a keyboard synthesizer for accompaniment.

This is how our typical practice session looks like. The ladies sing together accompanied by Tse mei's keyboard as well as Iskandar & co.'s percussions.

Here are the lady singers.
From left to right: Rubaiyah "Ria", Sriyatun "Sri", Sofiatun "Monik", Siti Nurjanah "Nur", Sumarsih "Sih", Marni, Amy Fatah.

He is our main percussionist, Iskandar Ismadi.
In the first picture above, you can also see another one of our percussionists, Ahmed Ansari.

And this is our music teacher, Tse Mei. She also works on the background music arrangement for our group's performance.

In this picture you can see Siti Muyasaroh, who writes and recites the poem There's Hope in Adversity. She is the third from our right.

Update on 22 February 2006
More photos from our second last practice on Sunday, 19 February 2006. The new photos are small and rather low-quality because they were taken using a camera phone.

On 5th March, the ladies are going to perform to an audience, so Tse mei proposed using a dummy, which happens to be in the room, as a make-believe audience.

The ladies had some fun singing and dancing :)

Poem from Darul Arqam group

2006-02-06T11:54:00.000+08:00

In addition to singing "Prau Layar", Darul Arqam group will also recite a poem. We had a small-scale poem writing competition among the Indonesian domestic workers and got a surprisingly good response from the ladies. We picked one poem which best describes emotional side of most Indonesian domestic workers to be put in the CD.

Here is the poem in Indonesian language:

Ada Harapan dalam Kemalangan
Karya Siti Muyasaroh

Asing dan kesepian
Menapakkan kaki diatas negri orang
Kesendirianpun menggelitik angan
Rindukan mereka yang disayang

Adakah ini satu kenyataan?
Atau hanya mimpi dalam angan
Seolah tak percaya inilah tujuan
Namun terbuka mata, kenyataan nampak terang

Hai, halo, apa kabar
Sapaan ramah tuk sesama kawan
Mengusir secuil rasa getir nan hambar
Hati menghangat walaupun tak nyaman

Tapi bila itupun dilarang hingga bisa terucap hanya dalam angan
Kata kejam pun tak lagi mempan
Tuk di lontarkan pada mereka yang melarang
Oh... adakah rasa kemanusiaan tlah hilang?

Kemarahan, cacian dan makian
Bebas meluncur tanpa tali layang
Hanya karena sedikit kesalahan tak disengaja
Kesabaran pun teruji sedemikian rupa

Tapi... kata terima kasih tak pernah terucapkan
Atas kerja di luar kewajiban yang tertulis di atas layang
Tiada penghargaan dari mereka
Berdiam saja, seribu bahasa

Lalu...
Kepada siapa isi hati ini harus dicurahkan?
Bila mengadu pada Tuhanpun tak diperbolehkan
Apa.. hak mereka, melarang kami bersujud pada-Nya?
Sedang kehidupan dan kekuatan ada hanya dari Dia

Mengapa mereka tak mengerti juga?
Bila memang rasa saling menghargai itu ada
Tuhan... buka dan getarkanlah hati mereka
Agar pintu kasih diantara kami senantiasa terbuka

And here is the English translation:

There is Hope in Adversity
By Siti Muyasaroh

Alien and all alone
I take my steps on these unfamiliar shores
Loneliness tickles the mind
Missing those I left behind

Could this be real?
Or is this just a bad dream?
Could this be what I aim for?
Yet, opening my eyes, reality is so blindingly clear

Hi, hello. How are you?
These small words for my fellow friends
Take away bits of pain and bitterness
Return some warmth to this wounded heart

However, if even those words are forbidden and can only be said in my dreams
The word cruel is no longer of use
To be thrown at those who forbid
Oh... where has sense of humanity gone?

Anger and angry words
Flow so freely with no restriction
Only because of a small mistake
Testing and straining my patience so much

Yet not a single thankful word is ever said
For works done beyond duties written on agreement letter
They are devoid of appreciation
Just staying silent, as if nothing happens

Then...
To whom could I relieve my heart?
If even praying to my Lord is not allowed
What rights do they have to stop me from kneeling in front of Him?
After all, life and strength come only from Him

Why can’t they understand?
If there is such a thing as mutual respect
Oh Lord... please open their hearts
Let the door between our hearts be open always

We'd like to thank Ms Gloria Arlini who helped with the translation.

"You Are An Angel" lyrics

2006-01-25T23:40:00.000+08:00

You Are An Angel

I saw the light in your eyes
Give us the comfort and peace inside
I saw the pretty smile in your lips
Give us the strength to be faithful

You are an angel
You give your arm and laid our heads
And I know you are an angel
You give your life for leaving us

You are an angel
You give your love
You are an angel
You give your love
You are an angel
Your give the strength
You are an angel
You made us brave
And you are an angel
For all our life

"Thanks Home" lyrics

2006-01-25T23:10:00.000+08:00

Thanks HOME
written by Anna
(Anna has returned home to Indonesia, her presence is most definitely felt through this song which she wrote as a tribute to H.O.M.E)

Thanks Home with all our heart
For the peace and the security
Thanks Home with all our love
For giving us freedom
We are here and have found ourselves
And we can express our inner ability
We have found a true love
From a friend like a family
Thanks Home for giving us love
Thanks Home for giving us peace
Thanks Home for the freedom you gave
And thanks, you gave us happiness

Tagalog Version
Salamat sa yo Home
Kapayapaan ay natagpuan
Salamat sa yo Home
Sa kalayaang dulot mo
Kami ay narrito ikai natagpuan
Kakayahan ay malayang nagagampanan
Dalisay na pag-ibig ay natagpuan
Sa isang kaibigan, kasamang tunay
Salamat Home sa kapayapaan
Salamat Home sa kalayaan
At Salamat sa ligayang nakamtan

Bahasa version (Terima Kasih Home)
Terima kasih Home dari kami
Kauberi kami damai dan keselamatan
Terima kasih Home dari kami
Kau beri kami kebebasan
Disini kami menemukan jati diri
Dan kami dapat menyalurkan bakat
Kami dapat temui cinta sejati
Dari teman dan menjadi saudara
Terima kasih Home kau beri kami cinta
Terima kasih Home kau beri kami damai
Terima kasih Home kau beri kami kebebasan
Dan tetima kasih kauberikan kebahagian

"Kid Hod Soew Fung Lam" lyrics

2006-01-25T22:42:00.000+08:00

The Thai band has come up with an original composition which draws upon the experience of love. This song is about a male singer of a band who misses having the girl who is always present at his concerts/gigs. It is a song about lost love and not going forth to achieve one’s needs.

Kid Hod Soew Fung Lam
By SingSaderd

Hasabhuajaipanfaijee ai-yuerntherngwetee bohenjaw tokjaiwam
Yusaino saw fang lam leonkery hua yamyam tawancham
Songpeechay naweteebonnatwai hentamamaleablan sawhangkeang
Maray ngan wajawneebokernban

Yokwongklabma ruam nganboonbannong-ele-tee wangpohkeondee
Teenawetee kerngpeekeonma-ai-okemalamyaksamkeamkeerysanya komsong
Mongleawruwa jowkongbomafanglam

Neepailelam paitamngansai jodmaynoibokeaw neepaiklam paitham
Bgansanjodmaybokeaw yenlomnow masapanpansipaisohyusai
Thammaijow bomafanglam rurepaisaichooddam theawtamplup
Peacheewit pra-ek-molam sawfanglampernfngbotid bokuernoom
Peacheewit modsit daipongkeon ngamoknawetee kuernneemaimemalai
Tenpailampai terenaihuajairakeam huajai-ai-chat kidhodta
Sawfanglam painosimachuaydamhuajaimolamsamtrom
Yenlomthong saytakoimong manmongkeloom-oknee
Yenlomthong saytakaimong manmongkloom-oknee yunaweteemeesaw
Koiyimpan tafanleopernnangnam
Hanleonngam-ai-noommolam-ak waw-yok takeahuyudok tafanta
Phernhern fakkeampaihasawfanglamkonkerylampuerng
Pra-ek-molamkidtherng sawserngkeryanglam

Sangkampainamseanglamrong sangkampainanseanglamrong
Mapenthamnongwakidhodfankaw kidpopusawmasawnahan jainan
Manhuangha kidhodwawta pasamroyyimpan aksihakamthan
Nankokongbodai ok-lamyamdaihuajaisam

"Tang Moun Tang Win" lyrics

2006-01-25T22:31:00.000+08:00

This song is titled Fun by the band. They wrote this with descriptions describing times of leisure back home in Thailand. Their time were sometimes spent singing and dancing.

Tang Moun Tang Win
By SingSaderd

Awannee fang seangyawyawyawyaw falailuangthangbon
Mong henkonsooksnan muanyinthangtai meeneawhawkanlonghangtuern
Manfasikrermkindasayam tereyakinluangkernkinreangkamwen
Babboonmeethere haneawkeatamuawbosunag pakuang mabanmafan
Muankan muantooksanbowakonjan ruekonruay-uaym tangnee
Meengan jang nganhabawa bawsapuneesinawasufang

Fangleawmujawjongfang seangteedang kerapommolammaleaw
Maleawkanongkuanta aw-seangklanglammana lamsingsangma
Sooksanchewa yahaimeesamtrom yamfankad kwamngog ngaw
Sawsoy noijairabom yamuanon tookeratom konuern-ok-trom
Noijainakna ja-aw-nerenonteenai tooksingpianpaikabkanwala
Meetook meesook jangwa keerdkuernma yammeeseampai
Yamlomyaperng lerkla tangtalookkernmamai kwamwang penkamlang
Jai wanna topai-ad-penkongrow
Yanmuawkinlaw muawkinlowjai hawjangmuom yantaduan
Neelamanlomterng yamjowduernlay puknong-ay kai-on yangpab
Yanonlabkawong songsean hohong fangsengkonneelaman
Sood sood sood sood namlailai yamjowpakteay meaybodai fanjaw
Sijonghu hiblooktamabow keerethanglau muanon fan yantere-ai-
Neelanman foongkon mea-wongkowlerk derkderkkon yasi heemea-non
Kon-ai lader konngam-ai-neeery boonbanna-ai-kanam deawsingkindaisuyam
Ai-penkonyaso koytomakahtokabjob koychobcheewitmolam
Koyjangdaiyamyutanonbantherng benngsikon-i-sann bankoy
Chobkinkoypukoypla diayneeratthansangma kraikinkoyplasipen
Rokthabyaitabyai

Paiboyan longmaramu-ery tingnongnoitingnongnoi er-er-eng-ery
Er-er-erng-ery dernangder derdernangder pakanduanneelaman yodsing
Rawangkonyoolang jajingjab i-manomahang bab

"Prahu Layar" song lyric and translation

2006-01-25T09:49:00.000+08:00

Darul Arqam group's main song is Prau Layar, which translates as "Sailing Boat." It is a Javanese traditional song about a man who cannot resist sailing to the sea in a fine Sunday. There are a two or three sections in total, but the ladies from Darul Arqam group will sing only the first section. Here is the lyric in Javanese:

PRAHU LAYAR
(Narto Sabdo)

Yo konco ing gisik gembira
Alerap lerap banyuning segara
Angliak numpak prayu layar
Ing dino minggu gek pariwisata

Alon praune wus nengah
Byak byuk byak banyu pinelah
Ora jemu-jemu
Karo mesem ngguyu
Ngilangake rasa lungkrah lesu
Adik njawil mas, jebul wis sore
Witeng kelapa katon ngawe awe
Prayogane becik bali wae
Dene sesuk esuk tumandang nyambut gawe

And here is the translation into English by one of our volunteers:

SAILING BOAT
(Composed by Narto Sabdo)

Hey friends on this joyful beach
Hark the waves of the sea
Let us set sail in a boat
To relax on this fine Sunday

Slow the boat goes to the sea
Splash sploosh splash, so the water goes
Never tired do I get
With a smile on my face
Gone are all my fatigues
Before I know it, my bro points out it’s already evening
Even the palm trees seem to beckon me
Better sail back to the shore, I suppose
Because tomorrow is another working day

The Launch

2006-01-21T23:42:00.000+08:00

The Migrant Voices CD was launched on March 3-5 at the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre. Thanks to everybody who came down to support. The huge crowd was so supportive! Darul Arqam, Tinig Pinoy and Singsaderd all put up inspiring performances. Special guests Ustad Sharafat Khan and Jatinder Singh also had the audience spellbounded.We would also like thank the following bands who supported the launch by playing on Friday and Saturday: Seven Sundays, Divine Sutra, ETC, E.P.I.C and Ugly In The Morning.

LIMITED EDITION COPIES SOLD LIKE HOT CAKES

Thanks to everyone who bought the "limited edition" CD over the weekend at the Esplanade. All proceeds will go to our beneficiaries:

Darul Arqam Muslim Convert's Association

Humanitarian Organisation of Migration Economics (H.O.M.E.)
Asia Evangelistic Fellowship
Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2)

Friends of Thai Workers (FOTW)
Filipino Overseas Workers in Singapore (FOWS)

Through this CD, we hope to encourage positive attention to our migrant neighbours which we will push forth Singapore's effort to make their stay with us a better one.

Check out a special commentary page by the Darul Arqam's volunteer coordinator, Denny about the launch day.

Darul Arqam

& more pictures of the launch over here :

Pictures

Photos

2006-01-16T07:36:00.000+08:00

Tinig Pinoy

H.O.M.E.

Darul Arqam
Check out more pictures here!

Singsaderd

The South Asian Fellowship

2006-01-16T07:35:00.000+08:00

The South Asian Fellowship is made up of singer-songwriter Richard and flutist Jeganath (both from South India), as well as local Singaporean musicians James (bassist), Venu (guitarist) and Mato (tabla). They perform the track Ocean (No 5 on the CD), an original composition written and sung in Tamil by Richard.

Richard singer/songwriter
Richard is a shipyard worker who hails from Trichy, India. While the song recorded on the CD is slightly up-tempo, the original composition was a more melancholic effort. Richard, who has worked in Singapore for the last six years, admits it is a sad song, where he expresses his longing for his family and homeland, and talks about the problems of toiling in a foreign land. The talented 28 year-old says he wrote the song in two weeks – every day, after knocking off from work, he would continue adding to it, till it was completed by September 2005, just months before recording began for the Migrant Voices CD project.

While singing the song evokes a certain melancholy in him, Richard says he was very happy to be involved in the project. The passionate performer was so moved at the final recording, he teared when the song came to an end. He plans to send a copy of the CD to his family in India.

Jeganath s/o Thangamani flutist
Jeganath is a construction worker who hails from Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu. He has worked in Singapore for almost six years and has been playing the flute for three years. Jeganath is currently taking flute lessons from Ustad Sharafat Khan in Little India, Singapore. He practices frequently, and is known for impromptu flute performances at Little India restaurants. The happy-go-lucky 26-year-old admits that he was equally moved at the final recording, and shared tears of joy and pride with his fellow performer, Richard.

Local Singaporean musicians who provided accompaniment, musical direction and friendship:

James Richard William bassist from local Tamil rock band, Divine Sutra

Venu Gopal Sethapaty guitarist from local Tamil rock band, Divine Sutra

Mato Kotwani tabla player

According to James, most of the rehearsals took place on Sunday, as that was when Richard and Jeganath had their off days. Before the final recording in January 2006,
there was a month of intense rehearsals at James` home. Together, the band improvised and injected a more up-tempo beat to the song. While beautiful and haunting in its original form, the band decided this would make the track more palatable to a wider audience. While getting together was a challenge, the group rehearsed two to three times a week leading up to the final recording. To date, the performers still keep in touch and a celebratory dinner was held in Little India when the CD was launched and released in March 2006.

Lyrics:

Ocean - by Richard

Links

2006-01-16T07:34:00.000+08:00

Inside Out

www.thephotoessay.com

Inside Out is a six-month project involving 29 migrant workers. Having learned the basics of photography from volunteer photographers and photojournalists, these 29 migrants will exhibit a selection of their photographs - a visual diary communicating their perceptions of Singapore.

The Necessary Stage

www.necessary.org

Tinig Pinoy

2005-12-30T10:14:00.000+08:00

Tinig Pinoy is a Filipino singing group made up of 9 migrant workers led by Ruby Cawa, a former professional singer who is a domestic worker. The other members who recorded on the album are:

Robert Balbalosa
Shayne Factores
Rhemie Oligo
Cecyl B. Pendon
Yvon Ruby Danganon
Emelda Ducavo
Nenita Detorres
Evelyn Siapno
Glena Aquino
Art Felix Castillo

Lyrics
Pictures

Darul Arqam

2005-12-30T10:13:00.003+08:00

Darul Arqam Muslim Converts Association runs religious talks, English lessons and community events for Indonesian domestic workers.

For more information about Darul Arqam, please visit www.darularqam.org.sg.

The Indonesian workers who take part in Migrant Voices CD project join Darul Arqam for religious and self-improvement talks. You can get to know more about what preparations they do for this project by looking at their practice photos.

They contribute two items for the CD:

A Javanese folk song called Prahu Layar (Sailing Boat in English). You can learn more about the song, as well as the lyric and its translation, here.
An original poem called Ada Harapan dalam Kemalangan (There is Hope in Adversity in English). You can find the poem and its translation here.

Singsaderd

2005-12-30T10:13:00.002+08:00

Singsaderd is an eight-man strong band originating from Thailand. All the members are on work permit here in Singapore. The majority of the members work in the construction industry while one works as a carpenter and another as an operator for concrete pumps. Most of the members are in their 30s and 40s, the youngest being 26. For the Migrant Voices CD, they have contributed 2 original songs - Kid How Soew Fung Lam and Tung Mun Yung Win.

Pictures

Lyrics

Lyrics & Translations

2005-12-25T20:01:00.001+08:00

List of lyrics from songs on album:

Darul Arqam
"Prahu Layar"

Singsaderd
"Tang Moun Tang Win"
"Kid Hod Soew Fung Lam"

Home
"Thanks Home"
"You Are An Angel"

Tinig Pinoy
"I Believe"
"Pusong Salawahan/Ang Tangi Kong Pag-Ibig"

South Asian Fellowship
Ocean

HOME

2005-12-25T20:01:00.000+08:00

The Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME) is a shelter for women providing housing, legal aid, comfort and empowerment to abused domestic workers. The transient group of 20 to 30 women has a repertoire of hymns and popular songs in English, Bahasa and Tagalog, which they sing to keep their spirits up. In this album, they have contributed two original songs - Thanks Home and You Are An Angel. If you wish to know more about HOME, please visit www.home.org.sg

Lyrics
Pictures

Sponsors

2005-12-25T18:12:00.000+08:00