While growing up in Tailevu in the ’50s, Satya Wati was mesmerised with the sound of musical instruments.
Her father, Jowahir Lal, was renowned as a kirtan (Hindu devotional song) singer and listening to him practice inspired her to learn the dholak.
But because it was frowned upon at that time for girls to be engaged in music, Satya practiced on empty gallons and drums, mimicking what she heard her father and his group played.
Today, she is a respected lokgeet, sohar and kirtan artist and has won numerous community and religious music awards. But her musical journey was anything but easy.
“My sisters and I used to see our father sing kirtan and do Ramayans in our community and we were really encouraged by him,” the 67-year-old said.
She said the family’s financial circumstances hindered her from getting education, however, she did not let it hinder her from learning music and following her passion.
“From the time I could walk and do things on my own, I would get paint buckets and play beats on them —— using them like dholak while I would sing the kirtan I heard on the radio or from my father.
“My sisters and I were not allowed near dholak during our childhood as there was a fear that we might damage them because we didn’t know how to play them properly.
“But when we were given the opportunity to practice on a real dholak, we would tap away until our hands were sore.
“After watching us playing the paint buckets like dholak, my father realised our interest and started teaching us the dholak and harmonium.
“I didn’t learn harmonium because my interest was only in the dholak at that time.”
Satya said the artist she was today was a direct result of what her father and mother taught her as a young girl.
“My parents were very supportive and their encouragement boosted my confidence to start singing kirtan in the community.”
She said she used to keep her ears glued to the radio and listened to popular artists at the time to learn lyrics.
“I don’t have a specific singer who I follow, I listen to everyone and if I like a particular song then I will learn it or if I go to a wedding and the lokgeet played there inspires me, then I will learn it to sing it.”
While growing up in Tailevu, Satya said she used to sing with her three sisters in the community until she got married. She said marriage marked a new chapter in her life and it also brought a full stop to her singing career.
“My husband didn’t like me singing kirtan, lokgeet or playing dholak so I stopped it.
“I got married in Ba and my husband was a farmer so for about 10 to 12 years I stayed at home, cooked for our labourers and looked after our household.”
Satya said because of some problems, she moved back to her family home in Tailevu and found her music mojo again.
“After shifting to Tailevu, I started singing again with my sisters but it was only in small family functions or during special events in the community.
“Later on I shifted to Suva with my two children but because I was alone, I couldn’t handle doing too many things at the same time, so I started working at a garment factory, did tailoring from home and took up singing at events as a side gig.”
Just as she was beginning to get some stability back in her life, Satya suffered a setback.
“My husband passed away and even though he was not living with us, it really affected me.
“I didn’t feel like singing any more but I kept telling myself that I had to continue for the sake of my children and their future.
“Life was very challenging for me after shifting to Suva but my sons, especially my younger son’s support, and the thought of keeping them happy always motivated me to work hard and to keep looking ahead.”
Satya said through her talents – singing and tailoring – she managed to build her house in Tacirua after renting for few years in Suva.
She acknowledged the support rendered by the Nabua Nari Sabha which motivated her to showcase her talent after shifting to Suva.
The mother-of-two said she “officially” began her singing career between 2007 and 2008 where she formed her own group and secured instrument players.
“When I started, it was difficult to get gigs as I was new so my fee for a performance was quite low.
“But as I secured performances and started getting recognition, I increased my charges and even the number of gigs began to go up too.
“The gigs have continued even now, and I am so humbled because I am not that famous because I have not released many albums, I have only released three lokgeet albums around 10 years back.
“For me music is my passion, it’s not about being famous, that’s key for me.”
She said she still follows the lyrics and styles she learnt during her childhood as she wants to preserve the traditional method of singing.
“A lot of the artists today are influenced by modern innovations and styles, and I want to keep our old music alive.”
Satya said she got the biggest kick out of witnessing people celebrate and enjoy her music.
“Seeing people happy when I sing is a priceless.”
At present, Satya sings lokgeet, sohar and kirtan songs and does tailoring work from home to earn a living.
Over the years, she has won several awards and has been recognised by various groups.
“It feels so good when I get awarded or recognised because I am not academically educated but I have learnt a lot from my journey through life.”
Satya encouraged youths to take up singing and to keep their tradition alive.
“Nowadays, children are attached to their phones most of the time, so I encourage them to take interest in things that will keep our culture and tradition alive.
“You never know, it could allow you to earn a living too.”
