Vishu makes a debut

Vishu was just twelve when he lost his father. His father was a mrudangam player eking out a difficult livelihood. He was not in the top rung of percussionists that renowned musicians sought for. He had to be content playing for musicians at a lower level with lower remuneration. His dad had no doubt accompanied some of the stalwarts but such occasions were more by default than by choice when the regular player was unable to attend due to emergencies

Vishu usually went along with his father to the music concerts held mostly in temples on festive occasions or in marriage halls. As a young boy, he had a fascination for violin and used to watch keenly the violinist wielding the bow and producing sweet music. But his father taught him at home, the only skill he knew though he knew of Vishu’s fancy for the stringed instrument. Vishu had an elder sister who was learning vocal music. Both of them were studying in a government school. It was then a tragedy struck when one evening Vishu’s father suffered a massive heart attack while playing in a concert and passed away even before medical aid could reach him.

Vishu’s maternal uncle decided to take his sister and her daughter with him to his village. Learning about the boy’s interest in violin, he along with some musicians who were friendly with Vishu’s father, approached a leading violinist. The kind vidwan who knew Vishu’s father and the tragic circumstances of the family agreed to keep the boy with him and teach him. Those were days of guru kul when musicians kept disciples in their home and taught them the skill.

Years rolled by. Vishu served his master and his wife during the tutelage sincerely with devotion. He was the errand boy helping them in ever so many ways. They were impressed with his impeccable behaviour. The guru’s wife taught him initially the rudiments of the music on the violin and the boy later learnt directly from guru himself. By hard work and inherent skill, he had become an accomplished player. Though he was not allowed to play in public platforms as yet, he continued to go with his master carrying the violin box and take care of his other needs. The guru was a hard task master and did not allow any intimacy. He was stern while teaching him and on other occasions talked very less. In fact, it was guru’s wife who was very kind showering her affection on the boy and fed him well.

One day the master and his wife had gone to adjacent town to attend a marriage. They were supposed to return by night but returned early in the evening itself. As they entered the house, hearing Vishu playing the violin., the couple sat quietly on the bench in the verandah. He was essaying beautifully and leisurely kalyani raga with some nice phrases and continued with Thyagaraja kriti nithichala sugama. They were both pleased at the neat presentation of the song and impressed with his kalpana swaram. When the playing stopped the guru hugged him and mami kept running her hand over his head.

It had been more than five years since he had gone to his village to meet his mother and sister. It was then one day his uncle had written that his sister’s marriage has been fixed and asked him to be present at the village a week in advance. His uncle had also written to the boy’s guru seeking his blessings for the girl and his presence on the occasion. Vishu’s joy knew no bounds and pleaded with the master that he and mami attend his sister’s wedding. Even as the lady was agreeing to the Vishu’ssuggestion, he told Vishu that he had a concert that day at another town. He said he felt bad that he was not able to participate in the joyous function. He gave him some money to be given as his gift and permitted him to leave for the village.

It was the day of wedding. There was only one main street in the village with tiled houses on both sides leading to the temple at the end. The road was covered by a pandal. The tying of the mangalyam was to commence soon. There were many who were jostling in the hall of the house. Vishu came out and looked across the street. Some kids were running hither and thither and the Nadaswaram vidwan was playing the pipe. He was a little sullen that his guru could not make it. Someone called him inside. It was then an old Morris car drew up opposite the house. As cars rarely visit the village, a crowd gathered around it. Three elderly gentle men came out. Hearing the commotion, Vishu rushed out and was greatly surprised to see his guru along with a top musician and equally famous percussionist.

Vishu was speechless and fell at his feet till his master pulled him up to pat him. Meanwhile uncle had also joined.

“This is entirely an unscheduled visit. We missed the train and took a car to reach the town where we have the concert this evening. I remembered your sister’s wedding and made a slight detour. I expressed my desire to these great vidwans who readily agreed to grace the function.”

Vishu’s master said “We intend to sing for an hour in the pandal after the muhurtham. Can you send word to all those who would be interested to listen?”

The villagers had never heard such a soulful music from the great titans. In the middle of the concert the master made way for Vishu and told him to accompany the great musician on the violin. He said “This is memorable occasion for three reasons. This is your first Kutcheri and is being performed before the presiding deity of your village temple, secondly you are accompanying even in your first concert a very senior vidwan and equally senior mrudangam artiste and thirdly you are playing on violin at your sister’s wedding. How fortunate you are.Carry on confidently. May God bless you”

With tears filling his eyes, Vishu prostrated before all the three thinking of his master’s large heart and affection for him, before climbing the dais. He did not forget to look at his mother standing afar in a corner and bow  his head slightly.