Known to the world as a singing nun, her calm face beams with tranquility and her soothing voice gets tears of contentment roll down from every eye. Her MTV Coke Studio performance with AR Rahman is said to have put a whole new spin to the term ‘World Music‘. Presenting to you an awe-inspiring interview of a Buddhist nun, reputed singer, soulful speaker, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador to Nepal- Ani Choying Drolma. {Do Read Ani Choying Drolma Biography}
Starting Arya Tara School
Everybody likes a good song, and I realized that I could make people happy with this ability of mine. This also created a source of income for me, with which it was possible for me to start a ‘free of cost’ school for girls, Arya Tara School, which is now 80 girls strong. 26 out of these attend universities and colleges, a dream come true for all of them. I realised that I can be the voice for the young adults of my country, who are fighting discrimination, which I have been through when I was young. I can create opportunities for them too while I’m at it. Now I can do things much more effectively, especially after getting a chance to be the UNICEF goodwill ambassador for Nepal.
I believe everyone is blessed with their own unique magic wand. My ability to sing is my magic wand. Some of them don’t realize that they possess one and will take it for granted. People who use their wands for the right purposes, achieve their true potential, which gives them immense joy and satisfaction and gives their lives a meaning.
In the eyes of a flower, world is also a flower
I believe that one can understand pain only if they have experienced it themselves or have seen a near and dear one suffer. My mom suffered from kidney failure, and I became a pillar of support for her. When she was at her lowest, I told her- “Mom, you are suffering, but you are lucky in some ways. I am here to care of you, and I love you so much. Many people here are alone, with no one to support them in their difficult times.” I consider myself lucky to have been bestowed with the opportunity to look after my mother in her last days. She was the source of my inspiration to build the institution- The Ani Foundation, which runs Arya Tara School. It aims to bestow abilities and skills necessary to professionally serve communities in a humanitarian capacity. Let us all script a beautiful world for ourselves. Hence goes one of the prayers I adore-
May my heart always be pure
May my words always be words of wisdom
May the sole of my feet never kill an insect
In the eyes of a flower, world is also a flower
In our beautiful eyes, let the world always appear beautiful
My Message through My Music
The songs I sing are simple, yet deep. It made me popular, but I never lost sight of my goal. I always try to understand people, their pains, dreams, and aspirations, especially of youngsters. In today’s world, young people fall prey to peer pressure, and are confused about things they should do, and what they shouldn’t. Society dictates that success means making a lot of money, and in an attempt to win the rat race, youngsters forget to live their lives. Society judges them by their materialistic status, which can be very stressful.
Youngsters never liked to be told what to do, so I decided that I could best communicate my message through music. The songs I sing are composed by one of the greatest musicians in Nepal. They usually boil down to one thing; our lives are always how we perceive it to be. If we look at it positively, everything will be positive, and vice versa. I always picture the world as beautiful, I see the light of the moon in the dark of the night, I listen to the music even in the driest of leaves. What you are is decided by how you choose to look at life. One of the lines from my song that I like the best is “May my heart always be pure”.
You can watch Ani Choying Drolma speak and perform at India Inclusion Summit 2014 in the video below.
Modern Day Satsang
India Inclusion Summit is an event that helps people invoke the right attitude in life. I feel that I have attended a modern-day satsang, surrounded by some of the most positive people on this planet. Every moment that I have spent in this hall listening to all the wonderful people speak has made my eyes moist with joy. I feel so blessed to be here amongst an eventful gathering. Full of compassion, full of love, auspiciously meaningful!
Difficulty can be a blessing sometimes. It helps you to open up your inner potential and push you to perform miracles. It will help you connect with people, empathize others’ difficulties, and awaken a spiritual potential in you to create that convenience and care in others’ life! What could be better than a blessing like this!
Quickies:
Working with AR Rahman: Wish fulfilled. Sheer joy to be with him and be a part of his creation.
Key to Happiness: Develop spiritual capacity along with intellectual capacity. Develop both heart and head equally. That is the key to happiness!
Attaining Inner Peace: Moment when you are able to rejoice in others’ joy, their success, and their well-being.