Meet the Melodist of the Delhi Metro

Playing music in Delhi Metro is prohibited. But Munindra is an exception as he plays harmonica for daily commuters.

Munindra Sagar, plays harmonica inside the Delhi metro. (Photo: Vatsala)

It’s 8:30 PM and it’s rush hour at the Rajiv Chowk Metro station in Delhi. Amidst the chaos and frantic clamour, lingers the sweet sound of a harmonica. Pushing my way through to the source of the sound, I found the man who was playing it. He already had grabbed the attention of many commuters. The last time I checked, playing music inside the Delhi metro premises was prohibited. But Munindra Sagar is an exception.

You would have seen or at least heard him around the Connaught Place area. With a gait of a pied piper, this 60-year-old man walks with a harmonica pressed to his lips, sending out melodies from old Hindi film songs. With his music, the otherwise stressed atmosphere of the Rajiv Chowk metro station, is seemingly relieved.

Munindra Sagar is an English teacher at the British School of Language, Noida. What makes him different is his passion to play harmonica.

I love my Harmonica like anything. I will die without it. It’s my wish that all my instruments accompany me even in death.
— Munindra Sagar

After getting married and with all the fatherly responsibilities, he was not left with much time or money to play.

For years he couldn’t even afford a harmonica. “I had no choice. I could either feed my family or play harmonica,” he said. This was a difficult phase in his life.

Things changed in 2011, with a new job.

Once I played all the way from my institute to the metro station. I was so engrossed in playing that I didn’t even realise when I cleared the security check and reached the platform. As I played softly, people at the platform started gathering around me. They were attracted to my music.
— Munindra Sagar

When the exhausted commuters, heard him play for the first time, they found a reason to feel good.

When they came to Munindra, showering him with praises, he realised he should play more for people. Since then, Munindra has been playing in the Delhi Metro during his daily commute.

Often people leave their hobbies and passions for a career or family responsibilities. But this uncommon tale of never giving up on them inspires hope.