From the Beeb:
When [South African Patrick Ngcobo] decided to learn southern Indian classical music, better known as Carnatic music, his African friends in Durban ridiculed him, and his Indian neighbours were sceptical.
For them, it was abnormal for a person from the warrior Zulu tribe in Natal province to take up Carnatic music … Ignoring insults and sniping remarks, Patrick single-mindedly persisted.
Today, the 34-year-old sings in seven Indian languages. He can slide from one Indian raga, particular melodic scales, to another with ease – his diction is remarkable … His perfect pitch, whether high or low, and fantastic range of voice and ability to sing in different languages is clearly the result of dedication, toil and hours of continuous practice.
It all started when Patrick happened to listen to a song of the famous South Indian classical singer, Dr KJ Jesudas.
