Goa-born Reuben de Melo, Winner of The Voice Australia 2024, Performs in Delhi
Australian singer Reuben de Melo, who was born in Goa and moved to Australia over two decades ago as a child, has carved a unique niche in the creative field after dropping out of engineering college to pursue music. The Perth-based singer-songwriter, who triumphed in the singing competition "The Voice Australia" in 2024, is a prominent member of Australia's vibrant Indian-origin community.
Performance at Australian High Commission
On Friday night, de Melo and Australia-born musician Milan Ring, who has mixed heritage including Indian roots from her mother's side, performed at 'Gig on the Green', hosted at the Australian High Commission in Delhi. Australian envoy Philip Green attended the event and emphasized efforts to bring the best of Australian culture and art to India, reciprocating the cultural exchange from India to Australia.
"There's now more than a million people of Indian origin in Australia. That's the fastest growing community in our country, and they're doing great things in our society, and we want them to do great things for the bilateral relationship," Green told PTI on the sidelines. He highlighted that this facet of Indian-origin individuals excelling in arts and culture in Australia is "very special", praising both musicians.
Reuben de Melo's Journey and Reflections
After the show, de Melo shared his personal journey with PTI. "I moved to Perth when I was about 11 years old. I live in Perth, Western Australia. Then, I won 'The Voice Australia' in 2024, and here I am back in India, back to the motherland," said de Melo, a father of three. The Australian indie folk singer described Perth as his home but cherishes childhood memories of Goa, especially his grandmother's place and ancestral home, calling them "my heaven".
He recalled moving to Australia around 2003-2004 with his family and how music entered his life after the death of a close friend. "Music for me happened when I unfortunately lost a friend. He was an Aussie guy... a singer, and liked to sing at birthday parties and stuff. I picked up a guitar, and I wanted to sing," de Melo explained.
In a candid conversation, he revealed completing three years of engineering before dropping out to pursue music. Though he works in the mining sector and sings part-time, he draws from moments of grief, such as writing the song 'The Boys' for two colleagues lost to suicide.
De Melo also reminisced about his early days in Goa, developing a fascination for the Hindi film "Border" and its song 'Sandese Aate Hain'. "I wore a commando outfit every day with my toy guns," he recalled with nostalgia.
Milan Ring's Experience and Heritage
While de Melo has visited India multiple times, for Sydney native Milan Ring, this trip was a dream come true. "It's been on top of my bucket list the whole life to come to India, and here I am. I am kind of pinching myself, it feels surreal," Ring told PTI. She described India as vibrant, colourful, and full of energy, akin to a cinema scene, prompting her to explore its rich music and diverse cuisine.
Ring shared her mixed heritage, with Indian roots from her mother's side—her maternal grandfather was born in north India—and her father from Hong Kong. Based in Berlin for the past couple of years, she noted the unique natural sounds of each country and expressed interest in attending music events in Delhi to hear instruments like the sitar or tabla.
Cultural Exchange and Community Impact
This event underscores the growing cultural ties between India and Australia, facilitated by the Indian diaspora. With over a million people of Indian origin in Australia, the community is rapidly expanding and contributing significantly to society and bilateral relations. Performances like these highlight the artistic achievements of Indian-origin individuals abroad, fostering deeper connections and mutual appreciation.
Both musicians' stories reflect the diverse paths and influences that shape creative careers in a globalized world, blending heritage with personal passion to make a mark in the arts.
