An elderly man in Gorakhpur has developed an unusual art of using leaves as reeds to play music.
By Vipul Goel
Gorakhpur, Aug. 26 : An elderly man in Gorakhpur has developed an unusual art of using leaves as reeds to play music.
Mahendra Singh Rana takes any leaf and uses different blowing pressures from mouth, just like it is done while whistling, to produce melodious sounds on various musical tunes.
He has been practicing his special skill as a music instrumentalist for nearly six decades on various musical tones. He likes to play old melodies and keeps practicing new musical tunes even today.
Sixty-eight-year-old Rana has already performed before dignitaries like the late King Majesty King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev of Nepal and regaled thousands of others at various functions all over.
What perhaps started as a momentary enjoyment on one fine day many decades ago, is today Rana's biggest joy and passion.
"Since I was eleven-year-old boy, I have been playing music with leaves. I used to pluck leaves and try music by using them as reeds. Continuous learning and practice on leaves have made me good at this style of music," he says.
Originally hailing from Himachal Pradesh, Rana settled down in Gorakhpur after bidding adieu to the Gorkha Regiment where he was a civilian officer.
Rana wishes to work with new music directors like renowned music director A.R. Rahaman and actor Himesh Reshmiya.
His wife Anupama Rana, however, remains worried about the future of her husband's accomplishment in music.
She says: "Many come to listen to my husband, but there is no one to develop and propagate it as an art in the world of music. Although all laud his efforts, there is none to highlight and carry on his mastery and art. I want that there should be someone who should learn it and keep it alive."Though, of late, a youngster Arijit Banerjee from the neighbourhood has expressed his desire to learn music from Mahendra.
Arijit said: "The talent which uncle (Mahendra Singh Rana) possesses is rare. I believe, it is an inborn talent and can't be learnt by compulsion. I have felt inspired and wish to learn it and carry on this unique form of art."
ANI