by M. Mohankumar
An Idakka player credits the instrument for a splendid musical performance. M. Mohankumar captures a beautiful point of view in his poem.
When, after his splendid performance,
I went up to greet him, he smiled,
and said, ‘It isn’t so much my skill
as the quality of this instrument.
It’s made of timber from a tree
that stood by the riverside, listening
to the music of the flowing river-
timber that has music built into it.’
I thought of our throttled rivers and
streams, their music stilled for ever.
And realized why so many of our great
musicians have come from places
close to the precincts of temples
resounding with sacred music.
Idakka is a percussion instrument played in the temples and during certain traditional dance performances in Kerala
Mohankumar has published seven volumes of poetry in English. His poems have appeared in almost all reputed literary magazines in print in India. His first collection of short stories in English, ‘The Turning Point and Other Stories’ has been published by Authorspress, Delhi. Mohankumar retired as Chief secretary to Government of Kerala.
