Meet the young musician striving to save CG’s traditional instruments

Raipur: Sanju Sen, a young musician from Balod district, is doing his part to preserve Chhattisgarhi traditon by collecting 135 rare musical instruments from all over the state which are on the verge of extinction. Besides, he is also highlighting their cultural significance through exhibitions.Speaking to TOI, Sanju Sen said that the art and culture of Chhattisgarh has its own special importance in the whole of the country. “There are many theatrical and traditional dances like Pandwani, Bharthari, Panthi, Karma, Dadriya, Raut Nacha, Seva, etc,” he said.The music and tunes in these are derived from ancient and traditional musical instruments. But, gradually these folk arts are disappearing. Along with this, the traditional musical instruments here are also on the verge of extinction. “With this objective, I started collecting these rare instruments. Gradually I started playing it and have been teaching to the kids of the nearby schools in the village. A total of 25 children have learnt some of the instruments,” he added. Talking about instruments like Khanjheri, he said when in older times Dhol instrument was not even invented, people created the Khanjheri which was made out of the skin of a monitor lizard. People in the interior villages still use this instrument during bhajans. Instrument called Khadpadhi is generally put around the neck of cow to know about movement of the animal. The instrument is still used in the villages, Sen said. Turhi is an another type of instrument which is played by blowing. Earlier it was made of horns of the animal but now it is made of the compostion metal of brass and copper. This instrument was played during hunting earlier. It has high pitched sound. Sen has collection of extinct musical instruments Chitkoda, Trumpy, Singh Baja, double flute, Gopi Baja, Ektara, Khajeri, Tambura, Nagda, Dev Nagda, Marni Dhol, Madiya Dhol, Akum, Todi, Toram, Mohir, Dhurwa Dhol, Mandri, Charhe, Mirgir Dhol, and many more. These instruments have been collected from Nakun Nad, Narayanpur, Orchha, Kanker, Manpur Bastar, Surguja, Sukma, Dantewada, Raigarh. “My family, including my grandfather, father and younger brother, all have been in this field. Father and brother are tabla players while I play flute,” he stated. Now, in order to create awareness and to let people know about the such rare instruments, Sen goes to exhibitions where he tells people about their significance.