Our Correspondent Art & Music, Education, Events, Social, Women in profession

Innovation In Jails Through Music: A Story Of Creating Rainbows In Jails By Tinka Tinka Foundation

By Ananya Nair

  • Three inmates created signature tune of Tinka Tinka Foundation (TTF)
  • More than a dozen songs composed in jails in the past two years
  • Supporting inmates to lead a better life and help in the reformation process
  • Dr. Vartika Nanda is the founder of the Tinka Tinka Foundation

The Jail and the Creation

In the heart of District Jail, Dehradun in Uttarakhand a melody of resilience and hope emerged from the soulful voice of Dr. Suchit Narang, a gifted musician who defied the limitations of his visual impairment. Trapped within the confines of the prison walls, he found solace in the language of music. Suchit’s voice found a path through Tinka Tinka Foundation (TTF) and used it as a powerful tool to express his emotions and carve a fresh chapter in his life.

Signature Tune: Main Hoon Tinka

“Main Hoon Tinka” was composed in the humble setting of the jail radio room with three inmates, Dr. Suchit Narang, Arun, and Rohit Verma, as the creators of the lyrics and the music.

This soulful rendition is sung by Dr. Suchit Narang. This audio has been produced by Tinka Tinka Foundation in collaboration with District Jail, Dehradun. The tune symbolises strength and the possibility of transformation into a better future. The beats and thoughtful lyrics of the signature tune are a pleasant reminder of coming together for a positive future. “Main Hoon Tinka”, therefore, echoes the triumph of the human spirit, breaking barriers and defying constraints. It breaks boundaries and illuminates the path towards a better and brighter future.

Tinka Jail Radio: Episode 65: Main Hoon Tiinka: Signature Tune & Vibes of Change:https://youtu.be/L19FMAoUcME (May 31, 2023)

This signature tune is now an integral part of the Tinka Jail Radio Podcasts. These inmates are part of a larger project of jail radio, helping them gain a new identity as radio jockeys after going through proper training under the supervision of Dr. Vartika Nanda, prison reformer and founder of Tinka Tinka Foundation.

The team behind the Signature Tune

The unwavering support from Inspector General of Prisons Vimla Gunjyal, Deputy Inspector General of Prisons and Senior Superintendent of Dehradun Jail, Dadhiram, along with Jailor Pawan Kothari, has played a pivotal role in bringing this powerful song to the public and recognising the talents and efforts of these inmates.

Tinka Tinka Creates a Musical Reservoir 

One would remember the voice of Sheru from Central Jail, Ambala, in Haryana. His melodious voice echoed during the pandemic and created history. Its impact was unprecedented. Sheru became a star overnight; he got international recognition through Tinka Jail Radio podcasts. His creative endeavour was also mentioned by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Health, Government of India. Several such musical albums have been released by TTF in the past.

Tinka Tinka Jail Radio music has breathed new life into the prison environment, providing inmates with a creative outlet and fostering better communication. As a result, cases of depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses have seen a decline, spreading a ray of hope within the prison walls. Unlike conventional foundations, Tinka Tinka derives its essence from creative endeavours. TTF empowers inmates by training them to compose and sing their own songs.

Since the beginning of its journey in 2013, Tinka Tinka has been dedicated to building a musical reservoir, offering inmates a platform to express themselves through music. It has been creating and documenting music in jail through various initiatives. With only sincerity, dedication, and no financial support, the foundation has achieved these tough yet fruitful milestones.

This musical pursuit, which initially began in Tihar, has now spread to numerous prisons across the country, leaving a trail of inspiration and the cultivation of artistic skills. The song, written by Vartika Nanda, was sung by inmates of Tihar. This was released by the Union Home Minister in 2013 at the APPC Conference, which India hosted for the first time. This was part of a larger work, starting with Tinka Tinka Tihar, with four women inmates being introduced as poets.

Link: Tinka Tinka Tihar: Tinka Tinka Tihar : Vartika Nanda – YouTube

About Tinka Tinka Foundation (TTF):

Tinka Tinka Foundation is a public charitable trust that aims to bring positive change to prisons.  As an extension of the creative pursuit, the foundation also broadcasts Tinka Tinka podcasts, which stand alone as the only podcasts in India that narrate the compelling stories of jails nationwide. Narrated by India’s eminent prison reformer, Dr. Vartika Nanda, these podcasts showcase the positive impact of creative initiatives in prisons. Accessible on YouTube and Spotify, they serve as a testament to the foundation’s commitment to bringing about positive change through artistic expression and rehabilitation. –

Tinka Tinka Jail Radio has been dedicated to its objective of reforming the negative image of prisons and bringing light to the inspirational stories that have been born in prisons since 2020. It has continuously worked to bring about a positive change in the living conditions of jail inmates and encourage them towards art and creativity.

Exclusive awards for inmates and jail staff 

Tinka Tinka Foundation also prides itself on hosting the exclusive Tinka Tinka India and Tinka Tinka Bandini. Awards to recognise the efforts of jail inmates and prison administrators. This initiative acts as a guiding tool for these inmates to continue their journey ahead and contribute to the reformation of the nation’s prison structure.

About Vartika Nanda:

Vartika Nanda is the founder of Tinka Tinka organisation. She was conferred with the Stree Shakti Puraskar by the President of India in 2014 for her seminal contribution to women’s empowerment through media and literature. Her name has appeared in the Limca Book of Records twice, for her unique contribution to prison reforms, which was also taken due cognizance by the Supreme Court of India in 2018.

Dr. Vartika Nanda has also authored three books on prisons, Tinka Tinka Tihar, Tinka Tinka Dasna, and Tinka Tinka Madhya Pradesh, that present authentic documentation of life in prisons. Through her books, Dr. Nanda strives to connect the two realities—the real-life tests of inmates and perception. These books are a tribute to the human spirit that shines in each of these inmates, regardless of their circumstances.

She is also the official storyteller of Delhi Police, narrating Kissa Khaki Ka, the only podcast series run by any police department in India. A former journalist, she now heads the Department of Journalism at Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University.

 References to the Tinka Tinka Musical Reservoir: 

Tinka Tinka Jail Radio: Ep 16: RJ Singer Sheru on Covid-19: https://youtu.be/aObMkGTcNQc (May 22, 2021)

TinkaTinka Agra: Theme Song: Agra Jail: UP: India: 2017: https://youtu.be/bAUTdwr42TY (April 12, 2017)

Ep 20: Tinka Tinka Jail Radio: World Music Day: https://youtu.be/yMzoSyCiQxA (June 21, 2021)

References and Citations on Dehradun Jail Radio:

Tinka Tinka Jail Radio|Nelson Mandela Day|Dreams in Jails|:https://youtu.be/MnktXi77rVo (July 18, 2023)

Tinka Tinka Jail Radio|Jail Radio in Agra|Women, Children and Microphone: https://youtu.be/IPLx-BmI6ZM  (July 31st , 2023)