DMA’s journey and key milestones
2007 DMA student, Maithili Shome, reached the finals of Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil’ Champs competition (India).
2008 DMA student, Natalie Blumenthal, was a finalist in Zee TV’s Bangla Sa Re Ga Ma Pa competition (Bengal, India).
2009 DMA launched its first Annual Ghazal Show, “Shaam-e-Ghazal”, in Johannesburg.
DMA launched its first Annual Guru Purnima Show in Johannesburg.
2010 DMA opened its first area classes in Mayfair, Benoni, Lenasia, Winchester Hills and Springs.
DMA registered with Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh, India.
Hindi Shiksha Sang 5th Anniversary Eisteddfod, awarded the Sangeet Seva Samman Award to Mrs Shome, to acknowledge her services to the Art of Sangeet.
2011 40 students, both adults and children, participated in the 1st year exam administered by Pracheen Kala Kendra in South Africa.
DMA hosted its first “out-of-town” performance in Durban. The “Shaam-e-Ghazal aur Sufi” show took place at the University of KwaZulu Natal, Westville Campus on 14 May 2011.
DMA opened its Durban chapter.
DMA students, Bhavesh Patel, Seema Nanoo and Risa Moodley were awarded the prestigious URJA music award for being the best local singing talent.
2012 DMA introduced a new format to its Ghazal Show enabling 70 students of the school to perform live on stage.
DMA launched its own website – www.drishamusic.com
DMA awarded its first scholarships to two students to experience an Indian Classical Music Festival in India.
2013 DMA formed its own band consisting of students and their families.
DMA launched its first full-scale in-house production entitled “Dhun – A Musical Journey to our Roots”.
DMA hosted the first set of 2nd year exams with Pracheen Kala Kendra and a new batch of students sat for their 1st year exam.
DMA student Anusha Chetty was nominated for a SATMA award.
DMA student Risa Moodley won the “Star Search” talent competition.
2014 DMA staged “Dream Girls of Bollywood”, in collaboration with Jazzy Masala Creative and Darpan Dance Studios. The first to combine both Song and Dance.
DMA staged its second large-scale production “Gunj”.’
The first all children’s show, “Taare Zameen Par”, was staged.
2015 DMA celebrated its 10th anniversary with a 3 Day Music Festival entitled “Evolution” at the Market Theatre.
2016 DMA staged “Night of the Legends” at Wits Theatre.
DMA student Maithili Shome represented Africa at Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and was crowned as Golden Girl of Zee TV Africa.
2017 DMA hosted the first set of 3rd year exams with Pracheen Kala Kendra and a new batch of students sat for their 1st and 2nd year exams in Durban and Johannesburg.
2018 DMA student, Risa Moodley, won an international award from I-Pop in Las Vegas, USA.
DMA student, Hamza Husseinali Kanji, won the Voice Category at the Kenya Ismaili International Arts Festival and was invited to participate in the Lisbon Ismaili Art Festival Showcase in Europe.
DMA student, Nithila Lenin, won 3rd place in the “Singing Stars” singing competition.
DMA student Maithili Shome won multiple music awards at University level and Internationally and co-composed the playback for a locally made South African film.
DMA student Seema Nanoo released her first original Album in collaboration with an Indian composer and received recognition on major radio channels.
2019 DMA staged “SAMAY” which presented pure Indian Classical, Semi Classical and Bollywood on the same stage.
DMA student Maithili Shome was nominated for a SATMA Award in the Best Indian Album category.
DMA presented “Shaam-e-Ghazal” in both Johannesburg and Durban.
DMA students Dilan Bhavanbhai, Rahul Sharma, Seema Nanoo and Vishay Bhoola were presented the “Legends Award” at Gold Reef City by BigM Productions, for being the best local singing talent.
2020 DMA went digital with the introduction of online teaching.
2021 DMA went global by affiliating with Kailash Kher Academy of Learning (KKALA) and expanded its online teaching capability.
24 students, appeared for the Pracheen Kala Kendra exam.
DMA launched its YouTube Channel and presented its first-ever online concert entitled “Surili Shaam”
2023 DMA students Vinesh Barath and Payal Sewparsad won the Rising Star Talent Competition.
DMA student Maithili Shome made it to the Top 15 in the Indian Idols Season 14 singing competition in India.
2024 DMA launched “Divine Melodies – A Journey of Devotional Music” in Johannesburg, South Africa.
DMA held an annual concert in Durban, South Africa