Dina Samte – Music overcomes all obstacles
When Dina Samte sings, it’s hard to believe she’s only 17. Her expressive voice and expertise at the keyboard suggest a professional with years of training and performance experience. Even more remarkable is that not only is Dina entirely self-taught, but she was also born blind.
Dina Samte is a member of Bnei Menashe, a group living in northeastern India which is descended from a Lost Tribe of Israel. She made aliyah in 2007 along with 230 other members of the community. Now living near Jerusalem, Dina credits Shavei Israel, which facilitated the process for her and her family, with “taking us in her wings like an eagle.”
Dina was born in Churachandpur, a rural village in Manipur with limited facilities for teaching the blind. “I received no formal education,” she says. But her aptitude for music became quickly apparent. Her father bought her a small keyboard when she was just 9 years old. “I learned by myself without any help,” she says proudly.
As she grew older, Dina became “a big star in her community,” says Tzvi Khaute, Shavei Israel’s community coordinator for the Bnei Menashe in Israel and India. “Everyone knew her. She was invited to perform at weddings and celebrations.” Dina even produced several discs which were sold in local Indian shops.
From the beginning, Dina’s music has focused on “the yearning of the Bnei Menashe for Zion and their love for the Land of Israel,” she explains. The reason is clear: she grew up with a very strong Jewish identity which included observing the Sabbath and festivals, and being inculcated by her parents and community with the heartfelt belief that “one day we will be returning to our ancestral homeland.”
Dina’s knowledge was bolstered by classes taught by Shavei Israel’s emissaries to India. Not surprisingly, her favorite subjects were learning songs for the Sabbath and the Jewish festivals, although she says she also enjoyed classes on Hebrew and topics about Jewish life.
Israel has been good to Dina. After her arrival, she began studying at the Jerusalem School for the Blind. The courses are all in Hebrew and, after just three years in the country, Dina is already fluent in the language. She’s made friends, takes excursions around the country and participates in music competitions at school. She says she finds Israelis “very nice and they feel every Jew is their brother and sister.” Israel has significantly strengthened her relationship to Judaism and Zionism, she adds.
Yet, despite all her success in integrating into Israeli society, Dina is still not in a formal program for music, but she nonetheless continues to advance her skills on her own.. She performs at Bnei Menashe events, community functions and Bar Mitzvahs here in Israel. And her repertoire has expanded to include traditional Hebrew songs as well. Her dream, she says, is to become a professional singer and music teacher.
Dina was blessed to arrive with her parents and two older brothers – one of whom is already in the army – but she still has many family members who want to immigrate from India. “The big question is ‘when?’” she says wistfully, adding that she wishes that “all Bnei Menashe will be able to return to the Promised Land within a year.”
When asked if being blind has hindered her musical career, she shrugs off the suggestion. “I happily accept what G-d has bestowed upon me,” although she adds, “I wish I could see G-d’s beautiful creation with my eyes.” But Dina remains ever the optimist. “I thank G-d for giving me such an opportunity in bringing me back home.”