A New Life Across the Seas: Pratima Bhinda’s Experience in the UK

Diaspora

By Kishore Teelanah

The Mauritian diaspora in the United Kingdom comprises British people of Mauritian descent. Drawn by the prospect of a better life and educational opportunities, many individuals emigrated from Mauritius to the UK primarily between the 1960s and 1970s, with a smaller number arriving as early as the 1950s. Nursing was a significant draw during this period, as job opportunities and prospects for advancement in Mauritius were limited. The 1980s saw another wave of Mauritians arriving for academic pursuits, particularly in fields like accountancy and law.

Pratima’s sweet voice resonates through London’s religious ceremonies and diverse venues, filling the air with melody

As the Mauritian population in the UK grew and established itself, intermarriage became common, with individuals forming unions with Mauritian partners, British Caucasians, and other Europeans. A notable characteristic of this community is its remarkable ability to adapt to and embrace British society, achieving integration in areas where other groups have sometimes faced challenges. This article highlights the story of Pratima Bhinda, a Mauritian woman whose achievements have brought pride to her family both in the UK and in Mauritius.

Pratima Bhinda

Pratima Bhinda (née Joosery) moved to Britain in 1982 following her marriage to Satish. Even before her arrival, she had already achieved considerable success in Mauritius. Her singing career began at the young age of five, a feat that would make an appearance on a show like Britain’s Got Talent seem commonplace. Her late father was a profound influence, affectionately known as the “Tenor of Mauritius” (“Tenor del Lile”) for his beautiful tenor voice as he sang songs popularized by Mohammed Rafi in the 1960s. Pratima has continued to share her sweet voice at religious ceremonies and various venues across London.

Her father encouraged her to learn Hindi to enhance the fluency and pronunciation in her renditions of Hindi songs. Immensely proud of his gifted daughter, he wholeheartedly supported her musical talents. He also advised her to avoid chilli in her food and sweet cakes containing sindoor (vermilion), believing these precautions would protect her unique vocal quality. Furthermore, he encouraged her to explore classical music. A vegetable seller with a knack for mathematics, he also assisted other vendors with their calculations and transactions.

Pratima attended Eden College while simultaneously studying Hindi, reaching the Form V level. Her proficiency in Hindi was such that she attained Part Two at the Utama level, leading to regular mehfil performances. Her father introduced her to the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) through children’s programs. During her teenage years, she also participated in several special Christmas broadcasts.

Her vocal versatility allows her to perform across various genres. She frequently received invitations to sing at weddings and haldi ceremonies. Pratima also began studying the Ramayana at the age of eight. She recited the Ramayana twice a week on MBC and at Ram Navami festivals. She undertook additional tuition on Saturdays at Presidency College with her brother, who played the tabla. Her dedication to both physical and mental discipline resulted in her achieving top marks at the age of sixteen.

Upon arriving in London as Mrs Bhinda, her husband, Satish, became a significant source of support and encouragement for Pratima’s talents. She excelled as a natural karaoke singer, captivating her audiences. Her talent led her to Sunrise Radio, where she co-presented ‘Geetmala’ after being selected by Asif Rozali. Pratima continued her Saturday presentations until the birth of her first child. In 2022, she was invited back to Sunrise Radio as a guest speaker.

Professionally, Pratima became a Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) at a Day Centre after completing a Level 5 City & Guilds qualification in Health and Social Care. She specialized in supporting young adults aged 16–25 with learning needs, focusing on promoting healthy living. Drawing on her extensive experience, she trained junior staff and conducted induction programs for new employees.

Pratima is the mother of three daughters: Varsa, 39; Parineeta, 30; and Taruna, in her 20s. Sadly, her husband passed away at the age of 59, a loss that deeply affected Pratima and led to a period of shock and depression. It was challenging for her to resume her singing career, as Satish had always been her steadfast companion and supporter. However, with considerable effort, Pratima has gradually returned to performing. Now semi-retired from nursing, she continues to apply her skills and experience in her current endeavours.

Kishore is a semi-retired teaching and learning expert in science. He worked in the NHS in the 1970s, followed by a teaching career in Further and Higher Education until recently. He now writes blogs and science articles, advises on teaching and learning, and promotes the Mauritian diaspora in the UK.

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 2 May 2025