Intro:

Amidst the talents born in big cities, we human beings tend to forget the ones born in small villages. At a distance of about forty-three miles from the heritage city of Mysore, one can come across the musically rich couple “Jawarayya and Boramma,” popularly known to the listeners of Tatvapada and Janapada forms of music as “Tamboori Jawarayya Dampathigalu.” The humble couple resides in a tiny house in a small village called Basaralu in Mandya District with their grand-daughter Sowmya, who too is on her way in specialising the art form.

by Phalgunn Maharishi

One may find their names alien but only when we start our journey to visit the couple shall we know the respect and fame they have earned in their village. Not only have they made their mark in their village, but also across the State in various villages and cities during several occasions. Living in sheer poverty, the couple has nothing but their pure talent with them. They reside in a very old house which is in a not-so-good condition and leaks during rainy season.

The couple started singing Tatvapada around 30 years ago when they were deeply in search of happiness and satisfaction in life. Remembering those early days, Jawarayya said that he and his wife Boramma were influenced by the words “Only through Deeksha can one attain Moksha” by Rudramuni Swamiji of Kodugal Mutt in Holenarsipur Taluk. Sticking on to the words, the couple took Deeksha from the Swamiji and later on, Tatvapada and Shivaraadhane became their lifestyle!

After losing their two lovely daughters, their life shattered and the couple started concentrating more on Tatvapada. They started singing day and night to forget their agonies. Even today in the evening of their life, they roam around the streets of Basaralu carrying out what is known as mendicancy which we call as “Bhikshatana” in India. They sing and entertain people in their village even for a bag full of rice! According to Jawarayya, there have been many days for them without food starving in the streets and waiting for an opportunity through which they can earn some money.

Jawarayya and Boramma have so far performed in Bangalore, Belgaum, Bidar, Shimoga, Hassan and many other cities. They have also performed several times in Bangalore Doordarshan and Akashvani Bangalore and Mysore radio stations. There have also been many successful performances by them during events like Mysore Dasara, Gagana Chukki Utsav (Mandya) and Gadinada Utsav (Bellary). Both husband and wife have been the proud recipients of many awards like Janapada Academy Award (Madikeri), H.L. Nagegowda Award and Tayamma Mallayya Award (Maddur) to name a few.

They have also been into fond remembrance to many Mysoreans by their memorable performances at Manasagangotri, Gangubai Hanagal Music University, Rangayana, Jaganmohan Palace, Kalamandir and even DC Office. Jawarayya and Boramma said that they both are always thankful to Prof. Kalegowda Nagavara of Mysore University for recognising their talent and introducing them to the public on various occasions.

Both Jawarayya and Boramma are carrying forward the traditional forms of music which are on the verge of fading away from the current modern scenario. Backed with such acute musical talents, they have come a long way together singing Tatvapada with Boramma plucking the string of their Tamboori and Jawarayya beating their Dhamdi in a typical folk style rhythmic pattern.

According to Jawarayya, Tatvapada is not just an art form, but a way of living. The duo have earned their daily bread through the traditional art forms. The pleasant sound of their Tamboori mixed with their powerful voices is really a mystical experience to every listener. They both are sailing on the same boat together all these years. Even though they are physically aged, a young freshness still exists in their voices and their interests. They both have sung the words of Mahalinga, Shishunala Shariff, Jnanananda, Nagalinga Yogi, Kaiwara Narayanappa and others.

If one asks Tamboori Jawarayya how can he remember the lyrics of what he sings at such ageing days, his humorous reply would be that, “There is a tape-recorder inside me which has stored everything from past 40 years and it just keeps playing back through my mouth”! Both husband and wife are very much interested in making this traditional talent reach the younger generation and so they have pleaded many to help them make a CD and release it!

Such beautiful singing birds are surely a treasure for not only Mandya and Mysore, but also for the whole of Karnataka. They deserve more attention from the people in general and the government in particular to help them uplift the art forms.

Tamboori Jawarayya and Boramma are available for contact to anyone through their Mobile: 9902429694.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / Monday ,  October 20th, 2014