Nuapada: A visually challenged man is attracting the attention of music lovers with his Sambalpuri songs in Nuapada district.
He sings Sambalpuri songs along with ‘madal’ (a percussion instrument) rhythms, enchanting music enthusiasts.
This visually challenged but talented artiste is Sukhiram, a resident of Nuagaon under Komana block in Nuapada district.
Sukhiram has three siblings and his father is Kabi Tandi. While Sukhiram is blind by birth, his brother Bedabar lost one of his legs due to some unknown disease.
Despite being keen to attend schools, Sukhiram couldn’t gain educational achievements due to the poor financial condition of his family.
However, he wasn’t ready to accept defeat in his life.
“My childhood pastime has stood me in good stead,” Sukhiram says, adding, “I can clearly remember my childhood days. In those days, I would like to sing Sambalpuri songs and dance to its tune. Later I added rhythm to it by beating tin boxes or canes. Subsequently, I was addicted to it. People used to say my performance was in perfect sync with rhythm. This is how the talent in me grew.”
Now people are noticing his talent and appreciating him. “His songs and the way he plays the ‘madal’ is so pleasant to hear. Often people ask him to play for them,” some local residents said.
He is fondly called as the ‘badshah of Sambalpuri’ songs.
From morning to evening, he walks through the villages singing Sambalpuri songs.
Sometimes he can be found performing in bus stands and station.
His favourites include Sambalpuri songs like ‘Rasarkeli..’, ‘Surunani laeban..’, ‘Radha main…’ and ‘Danda nrutya..’.
He claims that the art lovers never pay him out of sympathy but it is his art that prompts them to pay something in return.
“At the end of the day whatever I get, I run my family happily. If I could get any assistance either from the government or from private organisations to hone my skills, I can develop my skills better,” he says.
Local residents pointed out that If artistes like Sukhiram are given encouragement and assistance, they can at least lead a better life, let alone bringing laurels to the district or to the state.
Sukhiram’s family has no farm land. Despite several attempts he is yet to get any pucca house under any scheme. Local residents also urged the administration to take steps to give a pucca house to his family.
PNN