Meet the family that has been making musical instruments since eight generations

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 27

An artisan family in Kaserian Bazar (bhandya wala) has been making ‘Narasingha’, a musical instrument for last eight generations. Krishan Baldev (78) claimed that people from all northern states and even from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh buy Narasingha from them.

The handmade brass instrument ‘Narasingha’ is use to alert public about the religious procession and ‘Gawantaris’ (musicians) play it in Udasi Deras. Krishan Baldev also makes ‘Nagfani’ and Turhi music instruments used at ‘mazaars’ and temples, respectively.

Sometimes Buddhist Lamas also visit Baldev for ‘Knaal’ instrument. He recalls his forefathers till eight generations and claimed the founder of Amritsar City Guru Ramdas Ji called their ancestors to stay in the city. Vijay Kumar son of Krishan Baldev said they have picture of grand grand father, who were renowned artisans in the city. Dewan Chand father of Baldev died in 1999 while Koju Mal, Amir Chand, Pindi Das, Amolk Ram were forefather of Baldev.

“As per the family tradition, I started working in childhood and learned all the skills from my grandfather. He was the great artisan. His joints on metal never leaks. He used to make the perfect instruments like our forefathers. The metal has long life. We have mostly one time customers. When someone buys it, he never comes back as this instrument has long life. Sometimes people came for repair”.

Baldev and his son get brass sheets from market, make pipes from them and then shape them to produce music. “Our fingers know everything and make curves in brass. It is all about practice. I can’t play ‘Narasingha’ well but Udasi deras have professional musicians. They play it according to mood and make voice of elephant and tigers”, said Baldev.

They sell Narasingha in Rs 13000. “We are satisfied from our earning. It is sufficient for food, cloths and accommodation.