BALANGIR: While traditional ‘kendra’ and ‘ghubukudu’ styles of music are fast sinking into oblivion, two artists proficient in the art are out to breathe new life into the dying folk music. Pabitra Kumbhar, a blind ghubukudu player, and kendra player Biranchi Naik are on a mission to popularise the folk music.
Kendra is a musical instrument initially played by Devguru sect of the district. They used to beg by playing kendra and singing devotional songs. But, it gradually lost popularity. Biranchi, who has still kept the music alive while many of his group have left the profession said, ‘’Kendra has given me life till this day and I must help survive it. Only thing is that one needs to play it powerfully.” He said an artist never accepts defeat. “I never thought that just because the music has a few takers, it will die. It is there as it was earlier. It is the responsibility of artists like us to revive it,” said Biranchi. While many persons belonging to Devguru sect have taken up farming or are working as labourers for livelihood, Biranchi still plays his favourite kendra.
Pabitra lost his eyesight in childhood, but he is gifted. His instrument ghubukudu is his life and he plays it artfully. Even a film was made on Pabitra and it was awarded best short film at a film festival in San Francisco last year. Commuters between Balangir and Sambalpur on train can spot Pabitra. A film-maker Subrat Sahu accidentally saw Pabitra while he was playing ghubukudu on the train and made a film on him.
Pabitra says whatever he does is to do justice to human values and the music he plays. “I can’t live without it. Many people have forgotten ghubukudu, but I am sure people will change their preference. I will help revive the music form,” Pabitra exuded confidence.
Though Subrat spotted Pabitra seeking alms, he is not ready to call him a beggar. “As a film-maker I will say that whatever Pabitra is doing is not begging. He has self-esteem and ekes out a living by playing music,” said Subrat. Pabitra laments that he is yet to get artist stipend in the absence of recognition by the district administration.
