The sound of the
didgeridoo reverberates in this small studio in Singanallur. A workshop on didgeridoo and other exotic instruments from different parts of the world is in progress. At the helm of affairs is theatre artist and musician Leon James, who is teaching a bunch of music enthusiasts at this two-day workshop conducted by
Udalveli. “It’s not often one gets to play these exotic instruments in life. I began my music journey with the guitar and keyboard. But, once I discovered these exotic instruments, there has been no looking back.”
Talking about the ancient Australian instrument, he says, “Didgeridoo is a wind instrument developed by aboriginal Australians. The instrument is made out of a hollow trunk of eucalyptus tree. Interestingly, the trunk has to be termite-bored. The termites usually get trapped inside due to the presence of oil. After the trunk is chopped off, a heated rod is inserted into it to smooth the surface inside. A rim of beeswax is applied towards the end. This not only forms a better seal but is also easy on the lips. Aboriginals say that the instrument is more than 1,500 years as some of the cave paintings have engravings of the instrument. In the traditional setup, only men play the didgeridoo. Women are forbidden to touch it. I, on the other hand, am trying to break the tradition by teaching it to everyone.”
Didgeridoos are expensive and not everyone can afford it. “A regular digeridoo can cost up to Rs Rs 15,000. That is why I started making replicas of the instrument using fiberglass. “They are washable, unbreakable and light weight. A normal didgeridoo usually weighs around 7 kg. The fibre glass version is easy to handle.”
Talking about his first brush with the exotic instrument, Leon says, “My tryst with digeridoos began over a decade ago when I got the instrument as a gift from Australia. There were not many teachers around who specialized in the instrument and I had to rely on online videos. It took me few months to get it right. But, it’s an instrument that one can easily learn.”
Apart from didgeridoos, there is
djembe,
Peruvian rattle, tank drum,
kalimba, croaking frog to name a few. “The tank drum is known as a poor man’s hand drum. This metal drum is round is shape and is played using the fingers. The instrument can be tuned according to a set note. The croaking frog is a carved wooden frog with ridges on its back and mouth.”
He adds, “The djembe is a goblet shaped drum from Africa and is shaped like a wine glass. Traditionally, the djembe too was played only by men. But, things are changing now. The body of the djembe is made of wood and the drumhead is made of goat skin. It is said to be one of the most versatile drums. The kalimba is an African thumb piano made of wood. It’s a round little box that fits perfectly into one’s palms. The thin metal blades are mounted on the wooden box. It is played by plucking on the blades. I have made a louder and bigger version of the same, which is easy to hold. The Peruvian rattle is made of shell of nuts. The flesh is scooped out and dried. It is said that the instrument is used by the godmen of the village.”
Leon has been creating his own versions of these exotic instruments. “Since they are exotic, they are quite expensive as well. I give them away to anyone who has a passion for music. The beauty of these instruments is that they are close to nature unlike the digital instruments. Today, most of these instruments have become a fashion statement. But, I don’t mind it as long as people show interest in them and come to learn them. By learning these instruments, we also learn a lot about history and ancient men,” sums up Leon, who has mastered 14 music instruments.
