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The story of a woman who drums around the world. Source: www.businessdayonline.com November 18th, 2005
She is seen as one of
the best things that ever
Ara, the first female drummer of repute, has taken the talking drum to a whole new level. Her love for drumming dates back to her primary school days when she was the head drummer of her school. While in secondary school, she also took up that role and did a good job of it. But even then, the petite drummer had nothing to do with the talking drum, which has brought her so much fame and respect. But after her secondary days, she tried her hands on Afro beat, then working with Femi Lasode. After a few years with Lasode, Ara had to move on and her quest landed her at Atunda Entertainment, her current managers. It was at Atunda entertainment that the founder, Akinbowa, told her to try her hands on the talking drum. For her, at first, it was asking for the impossible, as the talking drum is traditionally a man’s thing. But with him, there were no impossibilities and, in no time, Ara was doing what she thought was impossible. And, before she knew it, she became a master – or is it a mistress - of the drum. Recently, the star was given a key to the Miami County by the Mayor and people of Miami. Though it was the first time that an artiste would be bestowed with such an honour, Ara is modest about it. She says it was a great honour and rare privilege for her and prays to God everyday to help her to be humble so that the fame would not get into her head. According to her, God gave her the gift and she would like to use it in the best way possible particularly to promote the African culture. That she would do without necessarily allowing it to get into her head. Whatever she does right now, she says, is for the future and also for when she must have ended her sojourn here on earth. Ara says she would like to leave a good legacy behind. "As a person, nothing gets into my head, because I think of the future and what lies ahead; I think of the legacy I will leave behind; I think of the things that I will help to put in place for the people to come. I know I was given this talent and opportunity to add value to this life. And I would not use it to oppress or intimidate." Another thing that makes the star level-headed is the fact that a lot of children look up to her and she would not want to set the wrong example for these kids who see her as a role model. For someone who has achieved so much, one cannot help but wonder what her secret is. And she simply tells you, the secret behind her success is God. According to her, she was destined by Him to be what she is. God, she says, prepared her and |
put her in place for what
she is doing. The other thing is the fact that she has a great record label
and promoter in Atunda Entertainment
whom she says, gave her a platform to display her talent. Unlike other
record label, Atunda Entertainment she says, takes an artiste who they think
is talented from scratch. They do not need a demo tape unlike others. All
they need to work with an artiste is talent, the right attitude and
patience. Once an artist has these qualities, the sky is the limit. Another
thing that has contributed to her success is a lot of determination and
dedication. Another thing that has helped her is the fact that she believes
in what she does. "Believing in what I do and again believing in myself and
of course focus. Once anybody losses focus on what he is doing, he can as
well forget it. And, there is the factor of hard work. Hard work, lots of
hard work", Ara says. When Ara is on stage, she throws all caution to the wind and does her thing. However deep down all that boldness is a very reserved and shy person who would rather keep to herself than socializing. But she does not see herself as an introvert rather she says she is a mixture of an introvert and extrovert. "When I get on stage I let loose, I do the same when I’m off stage once in a while when I’m in my territory or when I’m around people who really know me." Keeping to herself, Ara says, stemmed from the fact that she had to keep away from people a lot during her grooming. In those days, she had to keep to herself in order to discover herself. When Ara is not entertaining, she is at rehearsals or just writing songs. The entertainer might not have any album in the market currently but says her first album which is due in December was recorded over two years ago in Ghana but was not released for some reasons. Her record label decided to release that particular album because they want people to see how she started. They don’t believe in throwing away the past. That, she says, is not their style. Ara is referred to as the enigma of the African race. But how did that name come about? According to her, the name started in Atlanta, America during one of her performances. The people there, in a way, worship her. They believe that the spirit of their ancestors lives in her. These people, she says, long for their culture and want to find out more about their root. And all of a sudden, they people find someone, a woman, who has broken the jinx. According to her, she has been able to mix the two cultures together, the one which they are used to, and the one which they long for. The American people, men, woman and even children are so moved by her performance that they started calling her that. "My name, Ara, was given to me by my late grandfather. the name had actually been chosen and sent from Ondo state because there was a reason for that and, till date, that name has been me." For those who have been privileged to watch her perform, one of the things that have astounded them is her vigour. One cannot help but ask how she does it. This brings a smile to her and she plainly tells you that it’s lot of practice. Incidentally, Ara has done a lot of performances abroad but very little at home because there are certain things that she would not want to get involved in. But all that she says would change in the new year as she hopes to do more shows back home here in Nigeria. =End= |
