Growing up in Navua in the 1950s, Bhan Pratap was different from the other kids in his area.
While they were busy climbing trees and doing the things that children used to do, the Rovadrau lad would be seen, or rather heard, playing his mouth organ.
He could not get over how blowing into the rectangular tin object produced so much melody and rhythm.
Pratap was so fascinated with the instrument that he even slept with it. His passion and commitment to learning the intricacies of the instrument paid off.
The now 73-year-old’s musical prowess has taken him across Fiji and even abroad.
“I was born and raised in Rovadrau, Navua, but later moved to Nasasa, Navua,” he said. “I loved playing the mouth organ from childhood.
“In the ’50s and ’60s, toy mouth organs for children were sold everywhere.
“My parents gave me one and that was it. We became inseparable. Wherever I went, I took my mouth organ with me and played it. I even slept with it.”
At the age of 10, he was able to play the hit Bollywood tunes of the ’60s and began to develop a following among the kids in the neighbourhood.
“Today people call them old Bollywood songs but they were hits back then and loved by all. Even today, people love to hear those songs.
“So I used to sing those Bollywood songs and play the melodies on my mouth organ.
“And I became very good at it because it was something I was doing every day.
“No matter where I was and what I was doing, I had my mouth organ with me. In my free time or while resting, I would play my mouth organ.
“Sometimes I would gather the children in my area and make them all sing while I backed them up with my mouth organ.
“And we had so much fun. Every day, children from my village would get into this, I think it was because they loved the music I was playing and they all were able to participate and entertain themselves.”
Pratap’s obsession with the instrument sometimes caused a bit of a stir in his home. “I liked my mouth organ so much that I put a chain on it and wore it around my neck. I even slept wearing it like that, that’s how much I was in love with it.
“I wore it like that so that as soon I woke up, I would immediately start playing my mouth organ.
“Sometimes I would play and sing at night and into the early hours while my whole family was asleep.
“Even today, my mouth organ is an instrument which is very precious to me. It is something which I never forget to take with me when I go to any event.
“I grew up with my mouth organ and I had lived my entire life with it. It is just like my partner I would say, something which always motivates me.”
He said people often invited him to perform in parties and celebrations. “People in Navua and wherever I performed began to see me as a good mouth organ player, so my popularity grew.
“I am 73 years old now and people are still inviting me to perform at their events.
“I don’t charge a single cent for my performances. This is a talent gifted to me from God, so I practise and perform wholeheartedly without charging any money.
“People say this is a rare talent and that you’ll hardly find people playing mouth organ so well but it is a gift from God.
“I also love it when there is a group of people who can sing and play other instruments. Then it becomes even more entertaining.
“My kaka (father’s younger brother) was a very good mouth organ player too. I have jammed with him on many occasions.
“My children are not into it but they love to hear my music and hear me playing. They support me a lot and whenever we have a family gathering, they all sing and enjoy it while I play the mouth organ.”
Mr Pratap said he believed the secret to his longevity and good health was the mouth organ.
“You need to have good breath to play mouth organ. This keeps your heart healthy because it exercises your heart when you play it.
“To maintain my health, I don’t smoke or drink yaqona. I drink liquor but never abuse it. I think because of that I am fit.
“And I also do a little bit of gardening as well. While I am out in the garden, my mouth organ is always with me.
“I never waste my time. Instead, I devote my time to playing the mouth organ, reading and gardening — and I urge the younger generation to do the same.
“I encourage them to develop their talent. Some are good at dancing, some love to play their favourite instrument, some like to sing, so I encourage them to do what they love.
“I also urge the parents to identify the hidden talents in their children and to develop them.”
