When his elders named him Bindi, David Hudson had no idea his future would involve performing with his didgeridoo at the Taj Mahal, or a role in a film starring Marlin Brando

Western Yalanji and Ewamian man David Bindi Hudson is a performing artist and musician.

His parents were born on Mona Mona mission, near Cairns.

David's mother didn't like being told what to do, and so in 1956 she walked off the mission with her three children, and made it 18km away to look for work at a local pub.

Her ingenuity led the family to Spring Creek Station, where David’s elders taught him traditional dance and named him Bindi, which means "always looking forward".

Since then, David has toured the world with his didgeridoo, playing to huge audiences in the Acropolis, the Taj Mahal and China's Forbidden City.

He also played a part in a disastrous Hollywood movie, which gave him the chance to bring Marlon Brando home to have dinner with his Mum.

Content warning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners: this episode contains the name of someone who has died.

This episode of Conversations was produced by Alice Moldovan and the executive producer was Carmel Rooney.

It covers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, didgerodoos, the Taj Mahal, Spring Creek Station, Marlon Brando, Hollywood, Mona Mona mission, Cairns, family history, Aboriginal elders, traditional dance and music.

To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Holiday Listening: David Bindi Hudson on playing his didgeridoo at the Taj Mahal

Conversations

Holiday Listening: David Bindi Hudson on playing his didgeridoo at the Taj Mahal