He is one of those very few artistes who achieved great success with their commitment and perseverance. Despite limited resources, he won many accolades, national awards and prizes.
There are no teachers or organisations which teach the art of playing mouth organ, or the harmonica, in the city but that did not deter G. Upendra Sarma.
“I used to buy gramophone records in those days paying Rs.2.50 per record at I Town and practise while listening to the records,” he recalls.
The harmonica is a small, versatile reed instrument played in every kind of music the world over.
His hard work and commitment paid off.
Since his college days, Mr. Sarma performed at different occasions, and participated in many competitions. He had conducted several shows for All India Radio and Doordarshan.
In 1992, an all India music competition was held at Calcutta.
“Over 450 artistes participated in the contest. We had to play three solo songs on the instrument and legends like Laxmikant Pyarelal, O.P.Nayyar and others were part of the jury. I won the contest and a cheque for Rs. 25,000,” claims Mr. Sarma.
But what inspired him to learn or play the mouth organ?
“In those days, many music concert shows, especially instrumental music, were aired on the All India Radio and Doordarshan. Our family members were interested in music and I particularly liked the mouth organ among all the instruments,” says Mr. Sarma.
Little familial supportThere was no support from his family members. “In fact, my uncle T.V.S. Chalapati Rao, former Municipal Chairman, did not permit me to practise the instrument. He was of the opinion that the music would draw snakes into the house,” he says with a smile.
In spite of achieving success, he is sad that not many youngsters want to learn the art.
“It is a wonderful instrument but it is slowly getting extinct. On the first Sunday in a month, I play it at Chandra Rajeswara Rao library premises, in a bid to revive it. Hope my effort pays off,” signs off the 77-year-old artiste.
