Scaling new heights
K. Pradeep
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Chengamanad Appu Nair will be honoured for his invaluable contributions as a kombu artiste.
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PHOTO: MAHESH HARILAL
DEDICATED TO MUSIC: Chengamanad Appu Nair.
What makes Chengamanad Appu Nair, the leading exponent of the kombu, `successful,' is perhaps not just the honours that have been bestowed on him but the way in which he has taken care of his family.
Most of these artistes live in dread of the monsoons since the temple festivals conclude by the time the monsoon sets in, depriving them of whatever little money they may earn from percussion ensembles. As a result most of them turn to odd jobs to make ends meet.
The family tradition
Appu Nair followed his father's footsteps when he took up playing the kombu at 15. His father, Edayakakudi Narayanan Nair, played the kombu at Chengamanad Mahadeva Temple. His debut was in this temple and he later took his father's place in the temple.
"Those early years were terrible. It is only in the last 10 or 15 years that we traditional musicians have got some sort of recognition. I remember getting paid just one rupee after a whole night of playing the kombu. Every paisa was saved for my family. I was very frugal and I was fortunate to have an understanding wife. Together we have built all that we have now," says Appu Nair, who now lives with his son and his family in a new house he built at Thuruthisserry, near Angamaly.
Appu Nair honed his skills under Vypeen Raman Nair, doyen of the famous Nayathodu style. "It was not the gurukulam kind of training as we could not afford that. I used to go whenever possible and attend performances by my guru. I had to take up other jobs, like working in the paddy fields to help my father. "
The young Appu Nair's determination and innate talent helped him pick up the art quickly and Chengamanad Appu Nair soon became popular in his field. He was 35 when he got the opportunity to lead the kombu side of the ensemble at Kodungalloor. For more than three decades, he was at the forefront of the famous Elanjitharamelam (Thrissur Pooram) and at the magical Pancharimelam at Sree Poornathrayeesa Temple at Thripunithura.
Originally used in battlefields, religious processions or weddings, the kombu has now become an integral part of panchavadyam and chenda melams. It is one of the toughest instruments to play and master. "The other day we were a bit early for a programme and there was a request for a kombupattu. I found playing for more than 20 minutes a bit of a struggle. I am getting old," Appu Nair says with a smile.
A legend
This from the maestro whose kombupattu, with co-artistes such as Parakadavu Appu and Chengamanad Sankaran, is legendary.
Appu Nair is an `A' grade artiste with All India Radio. After Machadu Appu, he is the only kombu artiste to be honoured by the Sangeet Natak Akademi. He has received numerous awards and distinctions, such as the Folklore Academy Award, Marar Yogashema Sabha Award, Thrissur Stallions International Award, Vadithraratnam Award, and gold medallions from the Paramekavu Temple, Thrissur, Sree Poornathryaeesa Temple.
But for Appu Nair, the greatest honour will be the one the people of his village of Thuruthisserry plan to give him on May 29. A whole day of celebrations, percussion ensembles and the presentation of a golden amulet will bear testimony to the love and regard the people have for this musician.
"If ever I have achieved anything in life it has been through the power of God, the blessings of my gurus, Kuroor Narayana Marar, who always encouraged me, my family and the people of my land," Appu Nair says.
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