Hey! First of all, I want to say thanks for taking the time out to read this.
As most of you may know, I run an Instagram page called @TheLostStrings which aims to accentuate the soulful sounds that were the foundation and very fabric of the Sikh religion. I play 7 stringed instruments, such as the Dilruba, Taus, Esraj or Tarshehnai, Afghani Rebab, Sarangi, and Sitar. It has been about 7 years since I started playing the instrument I have most expertise in, the Dilruba (dill-rooh-baa). I chose to add an instrument to my repertoire each year since then. I am currently 19 years old and finishing my second year in New Jersey Institute Technology studying Computer Science.
I have always aimed to mix my professional life with my passion of playing music, whilst also focusing on my tenets of my faith. I always had this affinity toward creating something novel. As a kid I used to break apart any small toys I would get and attempt to create something more entertaining. I love innovation! Along with my studies, I am programming the basis for an electric Dilruba (to bring the instrument further into today's electronic mainstream). I hope to get the project done by my senior year (2019), currently backed by grants from my university.
I was born in New Jersey, USA and grew up in a small town, attending predominantly caucasian schools. My older brother and I are the first generation of my family in the US diaspora, and among the first Amritdhari Sikhs in our extended family. We have had challenging moments, especially in the face of backlash hate post 9/11, but I am sure we weren't the only ones. We always thought positively about our situations. My music was always there to help me cope with the judgements I'd receive every day.
I would have never expected people to connect with the music I play. Although I never really had a teacher for the Dilruba, the truth is that there was a lot of pain that was the driving force of learning it. Playing every key felt like I was breaking the shells of thought I was trapped inside of. Now I feel as if the sounds that come from the Dilruba represent the music of my inner being, thoughts, and internal battles. Those precious moments of just doing sangat with my saaj was enough to realize my self worth.
When I started the page and started getting noticed, It was all a surprise to me how it caught on. For me, starting the page was a way for me to gain motivation to tackle my problems. It was the best incentive to do more, keep practicing, and find solutions. Honestly, I am not very good at playing the Dilruba either, but I am glad that the Dilruba was my vehicle to new thoughts and an everlasting happiness I really cannot describe.
For the support and love, I want to say Thank You with all of my heart! I hope to continue the journey into something more beautiful, with only your blessings.
Revitalize & Find your Strings,
Tejveer Singh a.k.a. "The Lost Strings"
Contact/Media Info:
[email protected]
https://www.instagram.com/theloststrings/
https://soundcloud.com/the-lost-strings
https://www.facebook.com/theloststring/
