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| Babu, Cholapparambu, Vellimadukunnu, Kozhikode |
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Sacrificing the golden opportunities he got to get a job in the Gulf, 42-year-old Babu, Cholapparambu, Vellimadukunnu, Kozhikode is continuing with his single-minded concern with manufacturing harmonium.
During the 27 years of his craftsmanship, he has had the opportunity to serve old musicians like Baburaj and the new ones like Kaithapram Damodaran Namboodiri. In addition to harmonium, Babu has the knack of making most of the other musical instruments also.
It takes Babu 15 days to make a harmonium using teak and red ‘akil’. He is particular that the harmonium should produce quality sound while maintaining the progression of notes. There is demand for his product in Saudi Arabia, thanks to the word of mouth publicity by satisfied customers.
He had a close association with Baburaj that lasted till the latter’s death. Whenever Baburaj wanted to repair his harmonium or buy a new one, he used to come to Babu’s shop, Calicut Harmonium Works. In fact it was Baburaj who inaugurated the shop.
Babu, who makes harmoniums for the musicians of the present era, feels that the significance of the traditional instruments is being lost in the flood of electronic notes.
Babu in his workshop
Courtesy: Mathrubhumi, May 22, 2002
Contributed by: Administrator
