Following a Prayer : A Novel by Sundar Sarukkai

Author:Sundar Sarukkai [Sarukkai, Sundar]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9789395767125
Publisher: Published by Westland Publications Private Limited
Published: 2023-02-26T18:30:00+00:00

IT WAS INDEED A BIG CHANGE FOR GANGAMMA TO TEACH three kids who had no exposure to music. Gangamma had not learnt music from any teacher in a formal manner. Her father had been a singer, part of a family of nomadic singers. When they travelled, they would stay out in the fields or sometimes, after they had become somewhat popular, in houses that were empty, which their patrons would arrange. Their performances would start at night, sometimes after nine, and go on till dawn. There were no microphones in the beginning, and her father, with his team of two percussion players, would sing through the night. Her father saw their music primarily as a prayer, a prayer not to the many gods and goddesses but to the souls of humans, to the soul within each person.

Gangamma was his only child. Her father had not wanted to teach her singing or have her follow in his footsteps. But that was not really in his hands. Her mother used to say that her child was born singing. Her first sound in the world was not a cry but a song. Gangamma liked this narrative, although she knew how much her mother liked to tell stories. She accompanied her father from a young age. And when her father collapsed and died in the midst of a performance, she and her family knew she would carry on his legacy. She did not marry and did not even think of having children. In a roundabout cycle of cosmic events, these three girls had come home to roost in her singing den. Gangamma understood the worth of each girl very quickly. She realised soon that if there was one among these three who could really sing, it was Kumari.

Within a few days, the girls had become very comfortable with Gangamma. One of their first classes was about letting the girls make any kind of sound they wanted. Kalpana intensely watched the other two produce all kinds of sounds.

Gangamma said, ‘We are all prisoners of language.’ Deeksha looked at Kalpana and Gangamma smiled. ‘Except for this brave girl,’ she said, pointing to Kalpana. ‘So the first thing to do is to get out of the prison of your language.’

Kumari put her hand up. Gangamma laughed. ‘This is not a class, Kumari. If you want to say something, then just say it.’

‘Why are you saying language has imprisoned me? I am not in jail.’

Deeksha giggled, but stopped when she saw Gangamma looking at her.

Gangamma said, ‘Unless you get rid of language from your head, you will not sing. Singing is pure sound. How can I explain this to you?’

All three girls leaned forward and looked at her expectantly.

Gangamma found the words. ‘Every living thing makes sounds. Even animals, birds and insects make sounds.’

‘Except our sister,’ said Deeksha, drawing Kumari into a familial embrace.

Gangamma was not to be distracted. She caught hold of Deeksha’s hand, willing her to be silent for a moment. ‘Everything on this land makes a sound.

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