Sebastian & Sons by T M Krishna is a very thoughtful piece on the creative process of mrdangam making. Karnatik musics primary percussion instrument is the mrdangam and immense skill and dexterity is required to be able to play it to the same tonic as the singer. But behind this simple mrdangam is the not so simple process of making it and the most complicated caste hierarchy that exists between the player and the makers.
This book is a detailed guide in to the world of the makers and their respective contributions towards making a single instrument. From exploring in depth the caste structures that existed then and to what continues even today, this book takes you to the tiny bylanes of the communities working on the skin, the wood and the final detailing of the mrdangam. You also learn the details of each of the types of mrdangams and their constructs. Every little detail is explored in depth and every nuance is covered by the author.
This book was controversial when it was first released and continues to remain so especially in the highly casteist karnatik music community. And I personally think that’s a good thing because here is a telling story of how deep the caste system runs and how it also casts a heavy curtain over the real people who are the true artists of making this instrument. We see the players and applaud them on their stellar performances but how many times do we take a step back to acknowledge the person who put his/ her sweat, blood and tears to bringing this instrument to life? How often do we really probe to know who they were, what their circumstances were and how did they even create these magical instruments? T M Krishna raises that curtain for us and gives us a glimpse of that world!
The cover of this book is striking because here you see a bare chested man wearing a cross and casually holding a mrdangam with a gentle assertiveness in his eyes. All at once you are struck by the visual of a Dalit Christian holding an instrument that’s so Hindu/ Brahmin in its character. And while reading it you learn more and more about how each of these makers learnt their craft and how they have passed on their traditions to the next generation.
I do have bragging rights for having the privilege of being able to meet the artist and author in person!
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