THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Didgeridoo, a wind instrument used by Australian aborigines, and the Elimuli used by tribals in Kerala to scare away wild animals are just about the tip of the iceberg, when it comes to Joseph Fernandez’s collection. A Guinness world record holder for owning the biggest personal collection of musical instruments, a whopping 2,000 and counting, Joseph’s treasure trove has instruments long gone silent. The city-based collector has been busy adding his own creations to this mind-boggling collection over the past few months. Joseph, or Joy as he is popularly known, has crafted more than two dozens musical instruments using bamboo and parts of the coconut tree which will be exhibited at an international seminar on music organised by MG University at Kottayam from September 25 to 27.
“I have converted every possible part of the coconut tree into a musical instrument. The sad truth is that despite Kerala being the land of coconut trees, we ruthlessly cut them down to make space for high-rise apartments. The coconut tree is a ‘kalpa vriksha’ in every sense of the term; you can make various wind, string and percussion instruments from the tree,” says Joy.
Joy travels extensively to discover traditional musical instruments that are no longer in use. He has in his collection around 40 different types of the Veena.
As part of his efforts to preserve the knowledge about indigenous musical instruments of Kerala, he authored the book, ‘Vadyakala Vijnaneeyam’ which compiles information on about 300 ethnic instruments. “It took 18 years of research to put that book together,” he says.
Joy has been able to recreate some long-lost instruments, thanks to his talent to craft flawless working models based on descriptions and drawings.
His music shop in Kunnukuzhy has expanded over the years into a research centre and training centre. By his own admission, he can make up to 7,000 instruments. In response to your disbelieving silence, Joy says with a smile, “I can make any instrument. Numbers don’t matter; I have set my heart on it.”