During the holy month of Ramzan it used to be common to see a group of people (in predominantly Muslim areas) walking down streets beating drums to wake up their brethren for the pre-dawn meal (Sehari). Designated by every Muslim neighbourhood, the duty of these fakirs is to go around and make the announcement that the time to fast has come. Blessed with a loud voice they patrol the streets till the residents wake up. Though their job is akin to a town crier, these peers and fakirs do it only for spiritual reward.
To attract the attention of the faithfuls they use Nagaras (a goatskin covered wooden drum) and continuously beat it from 2.30 to 3 am covering two to three km. The unorthodox cylindrical double-sided drum is played with the hand on one side and a stick on the other.
At some places they ring bells, bang doors, blow trumpets. Folklorists and hymn singers join them singing praises of God and His messenger. Locals also come out of their houses and interact to hear the virtues of the holy month and the benefits of fasting. People familiar with the matter say: “Singers of folk poetry recite about the path of righteousness and the tales of ancient as people were mostly illiterates and there was virtually no other means of communication.”
Other instruments such as Darbukkah (hand drum), Mazhar (large tambourine), Mirwa (double side hand drum), Naqqarah (double kettle drum) and Qasah (large, shallow drum) were also used from time to time.
These drum beaters have different names — Nafar (Morocco), Musarati (Egypt), Hil Hiwai (UAE). Daff is used in places like Lebanon and Egypt while in Morocco the instrument is a wooden framed drum. The nagara which is used in Chennai is the most widespread of the membranophone instruments.
In India it is learnt the tradition started in Ajmer and continues in Delhi, Agra, Rampur, Saharanpur, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. In South India Imam Ghazzali’s musical works are a rage in the districts of Nagore, Thanjavur, Kayalpattinam and Kilakkarai during Ramzan. In these districts the Fakirs play pakkirsa kottu/Pakkir songs to the accompaniment of drums and at times use the duff.
Ahamed Zubair, an Arabic scholar, says: “In the muslim towns of Ilayangudi, Kayalpatinam and Parangipettai, the Jamath uses drums of 1 to 1.5 feet radius to stike the hour of fast. It is the thandora technique which is followed in Tamil Nadu as the Prophet used to say convey the things to others who are not aware of and make things easy to one and all.”
Dr Md. Ubaidur Rahman, President of Nalband Mosque (Ellis Road) credits the family of the Prince of Arcot with initiating the practice in Chennai from the precincts of the Amir Mahal (Nawab’s palace). “These beautiful effects of early dawn soon spread to other areas — Royapettah, Ice House, Triplicane, Supari Gunta, Border Thottam, Kathbada and Washermanpet. Unfortunately in many areas where Muslim population has come down the practice is discontinued as we don’t want to disturb the other communities during the small hours,” he says.
Farzana, a housewife, recalls her childhood days when she used to wake up to the beating of the drums. And how the recitals helped her learn the lessons of self denial by fasting. “I will swear by nagara for getting up rather than rely on alarm clocks. I gained more by listening to them than the modern gizmos,” she observes.
Till the turn of the millennium drum beating was commonplace and a routine. Sadly the tribe is vanishing. The great performers are dead and gone and new generation is not keen to follow the path.
Of course, it is a thankless job. Only a minority acknowledge their efforts and some reward them with cash. “Some effort should be taken to continue this tradition. If MBAs can become cobblers and engineers cab drivers then why not the educated youth continue this service which is an Islamic art,” asks a senior citizen. This art is not taught. It comes from passion and devotion.