CHENNAI: To a layman, the pipe organ would seem a mysterious instrument, emanating sounds not associated with an instrument which at first glance resembles a piano, albeit with three levels of keys. 15 enormous olive green and gold pipes are arranged in a beautiful vertical and lateral pattern to make an astounding organ. On either side of these keys, are what look like tiny protruding trumpets. The ones on the left are pulled out at intervals to emit sounds of instruments such as the trumpet, flute, reed pipe, harp etc. The ones on the right help to produce sounds of one or more of each instrument. The pedals at the foot of the whole contraption are played with the feet to produce bass notes of each instrument. Behind the pipes, a connected mass of levers, hinges, pipes, chords and beams are placed that made this complex instrument work. As my photographer put it, it looked like a factory. Some of the pipes are hollow, emitting sounds of the flute and the likes, but others have tiny tongues to produce sounds like those of reed pipes. The pipes range in height from a few inches to a few feet. At present, nine churches in the city play the pipe organ regularly, some as big, some smaller. They include St Mary's at Fort St George, Zion Church at Chintadripet, Wesleys Church at Egmore, St Paul's Church at Choolai, St George's Cathedral, Santhome, the Holy Cross Church at Perambur, Christ Church on Mount Road and the Lutherian Church on Thana Street. Apart from this nearly 10 to 12 churches have these organs which are not in use. Arul Siromoney, who plays the pipe organ at St Andrews, does not at first glance strike you as someone who can play the instrument with such flair and dexterity. He is a lecturer at the Guindy Engineering College, imparting computer science knowledge to his students. He appears to be in his late forties, and says he only conducts the occasional workshop to impart skills to youngsters.
He first began playing the pipe organ in the late 1970s at his Alma Mater, Madras Christian College, from where he graduated in 1980. He tells me that the pipe organ at the St Andrews Church dates back to the mid 1880s. "This particular one at St Andrews has been repaired in instalments by Christopher Gray of Midland Organ, Hele & Company Ltd, Leicestershire, UK, on his annual trips spanning a month or two to India. Christopher has also set other pipe organs in Chennai and Bangalore to rights. Do youngsters show an inclination to play this instrument? Yes, his students do play at about four other churches, besides this one, but he laments that pianists generally do not wish to transfer their skills to the pipe organ. I realised why, when I watched him play. It does not require just nimble fingers and presence of mind to pull out the right switches at the right moment. You need a firm, strong back to be able to simultaneously use the pedals, too.
After speaking to Arul Siromoney for about half an hour, one comes out feeling small and inept in front of a man so talented as to play so many instruments.
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