NEDUMANGAD A good show with the drum stick earned Sudheesh a first place in the triple jazz drum competition at the Revenue District School Kalolsavam underway here. However, the Plus-Two student from Thycaud Model HSS is uncertain whether he would be able to participate in the State Kalolsavam. The seventeen-year-old boy from Chengalchoola has been fighting a battle with destiny, since his humble family background does not permit his parents to finance his art life.
Sudheesh S D, from his childhood, had a liking for drums and drum beats. His first voyage to the world of sound was through ‘chenda melam’, for which he won first place in the previous edition of the fest. He opted to perform outside at the age of 14 with a single intention, of winning bread for the family. That tryst with destiny has been continuing since.
“I have no remorse to admit that I bunk classes. But that is not for any silly cause. With my friends, I perform ‘chenda melam’ for money. My family is not that affluent and I have to support myself,” said Sudheesh. This little voyages to the outside world had enabled him to take drum stick in his hands and perform in front of the crowd, without practising.
“He was struck by chicken pox the day after Christmas. The only solace was that one of his uncles was willing to impart him some tips two days before the fest. He is a self-taught drummer and finances his art life. Being a mother, it is painful to say that he has to find his own way. But that is his fate and he has to face that,” Thanuja, the mother of the boy, said.
The camaraderie with drums started when he was asked to play in an orchestra when he was in the eighth standard. The intimacy with ‘chenda’ enabled him to deal with drums without any hiccups. That boosted his confidence and he delivered with a spirited performance. But the journey to the top spot was not a jolly ride.
To arrange the drums and ‘chenda’, he had to borrow almost Rs 2,000. Apart from that, he, along with his seven friends from the colony participating in the ‘chenda melam’ had to arrange their own transportation, for which they had to manage another Rs 1,500.
Sudheesh is still unsure of participating in the state fest, but from deep within he nurtures a dream; ‘’to study at A R Rahman’s music academy in Chennai,” he burst out louder than his drum beats.