Pratyush Chetty

Location: Jeypore, India

Challenge: Physical Disability

Website: facebook.com/Pratyush-RockariZma--1385404578406513

Pratyush Chetty is a worship drummer with a physical disability from Jeypore, India.

Pratyush says "Well my mom tells me I've been hitting on utensils, boxes,tins, cans so basically through God's grace I was a inborn musician besides being disabled". He started with percussion like bongo & congas as a kid for 8 years , knowing of his physical disability he never dreamt of playing drums. He adds "Life changed amazingly, and I have been playing drums for 10 years now I'm more of a worship drummer. God blessed me to get started, to be a church drummer to hold a responsibility of music". Pratyush's influences come from Contemporary Christian music, worship, gospel music, rock and metal.

Pratyush has never owned a drum set due to financial constraints, but he uses the drums at his church. He says "Well I'm working on to get better and better with the talent I'm blessed with. TRYING to afford for a set , I teach kids, I'm trying to get my fingers, hands and feet better and faster".

For Pratyush, the best parts of the gigs he does is when people appreciate his drumming skills and that means a lot to him. He says "They never have an idea that I'm physically challenged and I leave them shocked when they come to know about it and the way I play drums". Pratyush has played more gospel Christian music and limited secular gigs. He adds "I try to enjoy and be happy when I'm on drums, I let out my emotions through my performances, it never feels like I'm physically challenged when on stage".

Pratyush says "The sad part of my gigging life is I still don't own a drum set, in that case I've lost many shows, gigs and opportunities just for not having a drum set . My mother is happy that I'm a musician but not interested to buy me drums. your talent defines you but your equipment is your identity at times".

Pratyush is inspired by Jesus and worship music. He adds "I love to praise & worship through my drumming".

He started taking drums seriously because of bands like Green Day. He adds "Tre cool the drummer inspired me and my all time favorite drummer Chris Adler inspired me to play drums. I just love his sounds , style and technique. I'm blessed enough to have a chat with him on Facebook at times . I'm his biggest fan ever on planet. Green day and Lamb of God are my favorite bands, Chris Adler is a legend, it's my dream to meet these people one day".

He says "YouTube drummers like Casey Cooper, Jared Falk and many more inspire me everyday. I follow the Drumeo channel on YouTube, its the best one for drum lessons Well there are many great Indian drummers in Bollywood and in India too that inspired me". Frontline drummers from Bollywood have also inspired Pratyush like Darshan Doshi,Ranjit Barot, Gino Banks Shivamani and many more in the music scene. Pratyush adds "There are a lot more great drummers in India I'm lucky to be in touch with : Liben Tom, Joe Jacob, Willy Demoz, SS Kumaran, Jai Row Kavi and many more". He has also found inspiration in a lot of gospel and worship drummers and bands, like Yeshua Ministries, Altar Coal, Aaghaz in India and Hillsong United, Bethel music, Jesus culture , Brooke Lighterwood, Chris Tomlin, Michael W Smith, Matt Redman, Paul Baloche,Don Moen. He adds "So many great artists bands and drummers inspired me to improve my drumming skills over the years. Simon Kobler & Duncan' Phillips are two of my favorite gospel drummers from the bands Hilsong United and Newsboys".

Pratyush says "I'm blessed to be able to play drums but yes I've been pushing myself against all odds and trying to accomplish my drumming goals , the way I want to play . I'm still learning everyday from various artists around me , on social media , friends and fellow musicians. Yes being physically challenged I'm not able to play stuff that frustrates me but I trust my God . I'm working on my finger, wrist techniques specially for my left hand .due to the weakness by birth I'm not exactly able to play where I wanted to be today in drumming . I STILL can't play double bass, my left foot is also weak , I struggle to play 16th n 32nd drum fills. I'm working on it The biggest challenge right now is Not having a decent drum kit, nothing at home to practice , I play a broken 30 year old drum set at church which is a non brand 72$ kit which was already a 3rd hand set when I had my hands on it for the first time back then".

Pratyush Chetty