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| T.C.Rajan, Thiruvalla, Kottayam |
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Hands are the immediate tools for any percussionist. But without the instruments, are just hands sufficient to play the sound of Drums, Tabla or Mridangam?
Yes, shows T.C.Rajan of Thiruvalla, now a student at the Youth With Mission India at Pune. By just moving his hands in the air, he makes the sounds of all these instruments with ease.
As a student of Upper Primary School, he had been fascinated by a person who could make sounds with his hands. It was then that he started experimenting with his hands. I could practice only for 10 to 15 minutes in the beginning. But now I practice for 45 minutes at a stretch, he says. Rajan started accompanying music troupes only to perfect his skills. For the last 6 years, he has been actively participating in stage shows.
Watching Rajan, an onlooker might get the feeling that he is exerting too much with the rapid and forceful hand movements. It was not easy in the beginning as my hands used to pain. But with practice I could overcome all those difficulties. Now I can make the sound of the music instruments, he explains. Unlike other instruments, the sound of Chenda requires more practice, he adds.
When he comes on holiday to his hometown, he is busy performing for a music troupe called Heavenly Voice, working to help drug addicts and alcoholics. He also plays at ganamelas and stage shows and has even performed in Bangalore and Chennai.
In the meanwhile, he has moved on from virtual world to the real and has learned to play a number of instruments like Mridangam and Tabla.
Courtesy: MV, New Indian Express, October 16, 2004
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