Taking the train that morning allowed me to get closer to humans outside of my asylum. What is my asylum? It consists of 2 communities; the SMU community and the motorists on the road. Yup. That's my community. Crazy huh. I never realized that there were more humans out there ever since I got Chinook.
And so I sat and watched the people in the last cabin. Weird. Kids nowadays, piercing everywhere. Nose, mouth, cheeks, tongues, eyelash. They were barely legal. I still have my resentments towards all these. Call me traditional. I dunno.
2 seats away from them, sat a pretty girl; fair, smooth skin, great locks. But one thing that was prominent among these features, were her tattoos on her right arm and right knuckles, with words written that was too small to be deciphered. Why? Why did she need to do that? Was it necessary? Shrugs. I just sat there, with questions in my head.
As I alighted at the Buona Vista MRT station, I made a phonecall to my mechanic when I realized that he still hasn't reply my message. He told me that he'd be a little late so he suggested meeting at Holland V straight away. Haiz... fine... So I'd figure I'd walk to Holland V from Buona Vista. Trying to get my bearings right, I still remember the route.
I walked through the underground pass and to my great delight a busker was getting ready to sing. I was SO happy. Don't ask me why but I love to watch musicians at work. As I placed my $1 dollar coin on his guitar casing, I squatted across him and waited for him to sing. Great voice, great guitar but people were just passing by as if he's not there. Some walked faster maybe because they feel guilty of not doing anything for him. Ok, let me explain something here.
First, he is not a beggar. He is working. Some people might contest that he is still fit enough to do other forms of work, why beg?
Point Number 1.
Answer: First, I REPEAT, he is not begging. He is working. Why not do some other forms of work? Well, that is his biggest strength. Why not ask doctor why he is not a coolie worker eventhough he is still fit and young? Stupid question to ask a doctor right? But why isn't it a stupid question when we asked that to the busker? Is what he's doing wrong? Ask yourself that question.
Do we blame culture for our society's lack of appreciation and misconception of buskers or did precedents played a part that shaped the mindset of the common man in Singapore?
Singapore has never established itself as a hub for the arts scene. Well, at least it's moving towards that direction now. Looking back, we never had people who busked on the streets. We are too shy, conservative. Worried to be judged. Worried about what people say. Besides that, I think people were too busy to survive and many were not skilled. Therefore, the attention was placed on hard labour because that was the only work with the least amount of skill.
As new generations graced the Earth, they realised that education is important. The focus was then turned towards going to school and getting a good education. Music was expensive to learn unless you learn it off from friends. The rich could afford music knowledge but none would use that knowledge to busk. Never. What did I say about being judged? Therefore, there was never a busking culture in Singapore due to reasons that we could not avoid. Well, after saying all these, I could be wrong. Just trying to find reasons, linking causal relationship between history and societal behaviour.
Or perhaps, we always associate busking to the handicaps; people with disabilities who use music as a tool to survive. There are two ways where this could go about busking. People give money to these buskers out of pity or they just appreciate the music that they're playing. Now, let's magically make these blind people have the ability to see, ceteris paribus. NOW... Will you still give drop coins to these able-bodied performers? They are not beggers may I repeat, they're just performers. And when we see able-bodied buskers perform, we question their existance, their performance. But we don't question much when we see a handicap person playing the keyboard along the busy streets of Orchard. Why so? Ask yourself. It's not as if, they stand there, with a note that says, "I'm homeless, I need money. Pity me." They're doing work. (please scroll up to refer to point number 1) They are entertaining and if you're entertained, drop some coins to show some appreciation. We're doing too much unnecessary association that the busking community can never flourished. The stigma is there.
Let me draw some parallels here. Now, what's the similarity between EIC, Robbie WIlliams or your favourite artists? They are performers, right? The only difference, their stages are at Wala Walas, King Albert Hall or National Stadium. For a busker, his stage is just the space around him. That's it. So aren't they the same? We are just associating buskers to beggers but I repeat, beggers beg and not do work, while buskers do. So don't do that, don't associate buskers to beggers. (please scroll up and refer to point number 1 if you still don't get it) Please. And when you drop your money on their guitar casing, drop it not out of pity, but out of appreciation. Ok? I'm just clearing the air here. There is certainly miscommunication between society and buskers.
I shall drop another bomb. Have you guys ever heard of Wicked Aura? The percussion group that plays samba beats along the streets of Orchard. They're buskers and people do drop in money because they appreciate their crafts and performers. Why are able-bodied guitar players considered beggers instead when they're doing the same thing as Wicked Aura. Think about that.
The Singapore community needs to understand the word "appreciation" instead of pity. This entry may be seen by only a few people who do read my blog but I hope that this message would spread and that this stigma could be removed and place a positive light on what busking is all about. Why did I raise this issue? That's because, I busked.
So, I squatted just across the busker, Kino. I can't make out the race but he could speak fluent English and Malay. He distinctively played old school stuff, Beatles and some old tunes. I observed my surroundings, and people do acknowledge his presence indicating that he is no newcomer. Not many dropped coins or notes. It came in slow. Kino looked tired and sweating profusely. Nevertheless, he never fails to smile and I could really see that he is a friendly character when he chatted up with me. He said that he was feeling sick and he was losing his voice. I could sense that. But he said, if he didn't sing, he would have nothing to eat. And so after hearing that, I went up to him and told him to rest while I took over his position. He smiled and handed over his Ibanez acoustic to me. He told he will be going to get some drinks with some of the money that he got. I started work.
Let me describe to you what I was wearing. I was wearing my striped CK shirt, Replay jeans, green DADA shoes with a scarf around my neck. I had my Kappa bag beside me with my helmet nicely placed beside it. My handphone was inside my half helmet. Not a typical outlook of a busker right? Yup. I began to sing a few numbers ranging from Iris by Goo Goo Dolls, You're A God by Vertical Horizon and You and Me by Lifehouse. Many people passed by and I observed discreetly each and everyone of them. There were the school children who dare not look at me. There were the office workers who scurried hurrily past me. There was the Caucasian dude who dropped $2 dollars on the guitar casing and said "Good job dude" My first $2 dollars as a busker, from a non-local. I was thinking who would be the next one. I hope it's a local. While singing to You and Me, I saw this Malay lady who was looking at me with this inquisitive look while she was passing by. I smiled and carried on singing and looked at the other direction. To my surprise, she returned and placed $2 dollars on the casing. There's still hope for the locals. I thanked her and in my heart prayed for her safety to wherever she was heading to. Oh! Where's Kino?
Lol, he was busy complaining on how expensive the drinks are. $1.40 each for a 100 Plus. Lol. Cute fella. I passed the guitar back to him and told him to take care. Chinook was already waiting for me. He looked at me, smiled and thanked me.
Buskers, they ain't no beggars. (please refer to point number 1 above if you STILL don't get it) That's what Kino tried to explain to me. I feel for you Kino because I experienced them first hand.
This is EXACTLY what it looked like when I busked. I was just cuter and better dressed than this chap here. Oh, and there was no dog in the guitar casing. hehe.
ja
Singaporeans conservatism lead to their lack of compassion
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