Brothers Sheik Jaleel Saheb and Sheik Akbar Saheb are the fifth generation of the family to play nadaswara at Mari Gudis and other temples in Kaup
A middle-aged man clad in traditional attire – a white shirt-and-dhoti and a shawl – began playing the nadeswara, accompanied by other artistes, while the paathri (priest) began the worship at Moorane Mari Gudi (third Mari temple) in Kaup in Udupi district on April 5. This otherwise usual temple ritual gained special significance this year as the musician is a Muslim — Sheik Jaleel Saheb, a report in The Hindu says.
Amidst this controversy, Jaleel Sheikh and his younger brother Sheik Akbar Saheb continue to play music at temples in the coastal town.
He says his great-great-grandfather Sheik Mattha Saheb was given an acre of land as umbali (return gesture for service) by the Lakshmi Janardhana temple of Kaup, known as the ‘Lord of Kaup Seeme’.
“We play l music at temples, starting from Lakshmi Janardhana temple to the three Mari Gudis (temples) as and when required. Ours is the fifth generation rendering music service at temples,” Mr. Jaleel told The Hindu on April 5.
“Despite fasting during the holy month of Ramazan, the almighty has been giving us the strength to play the nadeswara,” he added.
His father Baban Saheb, grandfather Imam Saheb and great-grandfather Mugdum Saheb rendered service to various temples, Mr. Jaleel said.
He says his great-great-grandfather Sheik Mattha Saheb was given an acre of land as umbali (return gesture for service) by the Lakshmi Janardhana temple of Kaup, known as the ‘Lord of Kaup Seeme’.
He plays the nadeswara for nearly for four months a year during festivals at the Lakshmi Janardhana temple. His presence is a must during the ‘darshana’ of Goddess Mari at the Moorane Mari Gudi (third Mari temple), which is in front of Kaup police station, every Tuesday afternoon.
The brothers also render service at many other temples in the town, including Venkataramana, Koppalangadi Vasudeva and many daivasthanas in the vicinity.
Kaup, a small town in Udippi district of Karnataka has been in the news with some temples being the first to ban Muslim street vendors from setting up shops during temple fairs after Muslim traders supported the bandh against the hijab verdict.
Mr. Jaleel and Mr. Akbar live in a joint family in a modest house at Padu near Kaup beach, surrounded by Naga banas (abode of the serpent god) and daivasthanas (abode of spirts). The family lives in harmony with their surroundings, said Mr. Jaleel.
While he does not have male children, he hopes that the family tradition would be continued by his brother Akbar’s sons Akbar’s sons.
Jaleel hasrefused to comment on the recent strife among people of different faiths in the coastal districts. Whatever is happening is unfortunate as both the communities have lived in absolute harmony for centuries. Mutual respect alone would bring in harmony, he said.
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