In the past, many people have come together to support street vendors selling food, ceramics, bags, plants, etc by buying their products (without bargaining of course) and amplifying their businesses on social media.
Now, journalist Sonal Kalra has shared how she helped a bansuri wala who regularly visits her locality in Delhi and has the ability to turn silence into magic with his musical talent.
In between work calls I’ve seen this guy everyday from the balcony in the last 3 weeks. Today he stopped, checked that the entire street was empty, lowered his mask and played the flute. Turned eerie silence into magic. I just bought one. The happiest I have felt in months. pic.twitter.com/f4lo6qW24A
— Sonal Kalra (@sonalkalra) May 17, 2021
She added that she bought one flute from him by paying more than he had asked for it.
😊 It’s not about my affordability. It’s about his dignity. I paid him more than what he asked, but not as a favour to him. In my opinion, that’s better than needlessly buying 50 flutes to remain unused at my home.
— Sonal Kalra (@sonalkalra) May 17, 2021
Sorry I didn’t take a video. He had asked for 50 rupees. I gave him 400, whatever I could get my hands on, in a rush. Will someday record him playing. 😊
— Sonal Kalra (@sonalkalra) May 17, 2021
Several people shared similar stories of flute sellers in their own neighbourhood, posting videos of their soulful music. A few mentioned how they purchased them in bulk to gift them to kids.
I really don’t like that such artists have to hustle so hard for basic living.
Listen how beautifully he is playing this.. i can play this in loop pic.twitter.com/EUX7Vwk6dC— Avil Porwal (@avilporwal) May 17, 2021
Same happened with me today. Sajjan ji visited street. Bought a flute. He was so humble when I paid he said the flute is just worth Rs. 50 why are you paying me more. pic.twitter.com/rQnUWDGpMW
— Nikhil Dawar (@NikhilDawar) May 17, 2021
I did record a video of artist Sajjan ji who visited my street today pic.twitter.com/hjozS1Tk6T
— Nikhil Dawar (@NikhilDawar) May 17, 2021
I too did the same and brought almost a dozen to gift to all the kids in the area and every morning I hear the disjointed sounds of the flute – felt so happy https://t.co/jW48pITmSG
— Asin (@asin1411) May 18, 2021
The same guys came near to our home few days ago and we also bought one. Sad part was he used to play in events and from last 15 months he does not have clients and he is jobless. But he is a great flute master.
— Anil kumar (@anilkalonia) May 17, 2021
Next time buy atleast 10 and gift these to children in your society.
Lots of benefits
1. These r small margin products
2. Children loves playing bansi
3. Civilizational connectionsMyself still holding 40 or something bansi which I buy from village carpenter.
— Fulcrum (@fulcrumin) May 17, 2021
Some Twitter users got nostalgic and others lauded the dedication of these artists.
Street vendors in india are the real heroes. Works their socks off in all weathers by selling very very reasonably priced, decent quality items just to feed their family.
— Ravi Joshi (@ravifications) May 17, 2021
These street vendors who sell their products walking inside residen.. colonies or streets live with self respect. I think every one must respect vegetable vendors&others small vendors who sell their products door to door. They are concerned about their family. Help with purchase
— Himanshu kumar Godbole (@hgfshimanshu1) May 17, 2021
This was the best tweet I came across today… i felt a sense of relief in my heart…cant explain why
Great gesture 👍… we need more such people to provide a ray of hope in this lockdown— Vanita (@Vanita03499794) May 17, 2021
These are the familiar tones from childhood that have healing powers beyond space and time. https://t.co/5PxRTd0DkS
— aparna dutta (@aparna2012) May 17, 2021
I remember buying many as a kid n teenager.. ektara too.. but they never sounded as promised !!!! Today I laugh at people buying gym memberships 😅😎
— sonal sharma (@sonal20112) May 17, 2021
Kudos to all these kind people who are leading by example and doing their bit for society.