KUALA TERENGGANU: As a child, Toto Chucha figured his dreams would be dashed owing to poverty at his remote village Sechu-Zubza in Nagaland, an area in India which borders China and Bangladesh.
His family could ill afford to send him to music class, let alone to school to obtain a general education.
All that changed when his friends and some school teachers helped Toto realise his dream of becoming an accomplished musician.
Toto was grateful to his friends and teachers for giving him the basics.
Today, the self-taught Toto, 26, can take pride in not only being a pianist but in establishing his very own Prelude Music Studio in his hometown. The studio offers young children the opportunity to study music.
“I wanted to give them the chance that I missed during my childhood and not struggle anymore. With the studio, I soon introduced the ‘Voices from the Hills’ choir, with a view to praise God through songs and talents.
“It was also to inspire the youngsters in the villages,” he said.
The choir will tour Malaysia next week in an effort to foster closer cultural ties between India and Malaysia.
Led by Toto, they will take the stage at the Catholic Mission in Lorong Sultan Omar on Oct 8 before moving to the Paranormal Studios in Damansara Avenue, Bandar Sri Damansara on Oct 11.
Recounting his life, Toto said his musical talent was only discovered years later at a leadership and peace building conference in 2012 at Sechu-Zubza.
“As a child, I was fascinated with music. All I wanted was music. All I dreamt about was music. I just wanted to study so much.
“Unfortunately, my family could not afford to send me for music classes and I was left without any formal education.
“However, I was gifted and loved to play the piano,” said Toto, thanking Rev Father Philips Muthu for hosting the group at the Catholic Mission in Kuala Terengganu.
Toto said music had made him a better person and brought him closer to God.
So much so, he said, he could not live without music now.
“If music can change my life, it can change that of others. I believe music by nature has the power and ability to overcome all barriers. It can act as a peace keeping tool, build bridges between cultures and touch the hearts and minds of millions when heard,” said Toto.
He added that music had and could be used to get different political and social messages across, and act as the voice of a nation.
“I passionately believe in the power of culture in developing positive relations between nations, as well as strengthening individuals, communities and the development of cities when culture is invested in and celebrated.
“This is why I am delighted to be working with this young choir from Nagaland, to help them raise funds for a project that will encourage the appreciation and practice of music in North East India,” said Toto.
Toto’s effort is a fledgling but precious step in celebrating the wealth of music and culture in Nagaland, alongside its pristine and unspoilt nature that is visited by tourists.
Toto hoped the tour to Malaysia would give the choir members a boost in confidence and offer them the opportunity to become ambassadors, leaders and income earners for their country.
“It will also put Naga people firmly on the cultural map, and increase the social, business and cultural interaction between Naga people and Malaysia,” he said.