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Exploring the Roots of Beautiful Melodies: Interest in Human Inequality
-You are an introvert, but it is surprising that you lived in Myanmar, for six years (2006-2012) and interacted with local people while working for an NGO. What brought you there?
Tamas: I have often thought about the inequality of human beings since I was a child, but when I traveled to Southeast Asia several times and saw the extreme poverty, I began to think about how I could help.
When I stayed in Indonesia in particular, I was shocked to see so many people suffering and lacking opportunities in a country that is not that far from Australia. So I decided to study public health at university and wanted to pursue a career in humanitarian work. Then my wife and I applied for a volunteer position and decided to go to Myanmar.
-How was life there? Myanmar was under military rule at the time, and Aung San Suu Kyi, who was seeking democratization, was under house arrest for an extended period.
Tamas: When we first moved to Myanmar, we were constantly followed by military officials to check where we were going. But by the time I returned to Australia, they gradually opened up and became more hopeful about the future. It was a very intense experience, but wonderful days.
-After your returned to Australia, Myanmar is moving toward democracy. You witnessed a turbulent time of social change.
Tamas: It has been about 10 years since I returned to Australia, but I still go to Myanmar twice a year to do volunteer work. I have witnessed the suffering of the local people and have developed friendships with those who continue to fight to make their country a little better, so I feel it is important to support them even after I return home.
Tamas: In Australia, as in Japan, there are people who are suffering very much despite the apparent wealth of the country. On the other hand, those facing extreme poverty do not even have a chance.
Poverty in Myanmar has been taken to extreme levels of suffering by the military regime. But the people of Myanmar understand that economic wealth is not the only goal in life. While living in Myanmar, I empathized with their way of thinking.
-While living in Myanmar, you wrote songs and produced albums, but how was the creative process in a foreign country?
Tamas: I guess you could say it was an escape from the pressures and worries of the real world. Music has its own little world, and while you are in it, you can forget about the outside world.
But every time I tried to immerse myself in the world of music and grab hold of what was important to me, I would end up somewhere else. It’s like running away. Even now that I am back in Melbourne, music is my temporary escape from the seriousness of life.
