“Shobilu saptaswara sundara”
sings the vocalist to the
accompaniment
of percussionisit.
It is the time
for the accompanists
to take up, they
begin modest
One of them is Vichu,
the Ghatam exponent.
who is in the rear with
unbuttoned shirt,
the Ghatam rests
on his tummy,
has tied his hair
high up in a tuft,
each one in the team
takes their turn.give their best,
Vichu does his part
with beautiful strokes.
Starts with a Chauka
1 stroke per beat,
completes the cycle
goes to the vilamba
2 strokes, picks the three
strokes madhyma, races through
the dhuridha and adhidhuritha,
8 and 16,
throws the Ghatam up
catches in style, when it
comes down performs
with a fierce passion
shakes his head with vigour
his hair unwinds, falls
over his shoulder, in no time
covers his face,
Vicchu is in a trance,
the sharp metallic sound,
holds the audience in ecstasy,
spell bound they turn
silence permeates, Vicchu
rests his head on the Ghatam,
not a sign of exhaustion,
one of eloquence. An experience
where the listener and the performer
meet, merge and lose themselves
,
Meenas Poems 