A sixth generation Muslim artist, who used to play the Nadaswara instrument at Kapu mari gudi (shrine to a local goddess) since he was 12, Shaikh Jaleel, died of a heart attack on Monday, November 13. He was only 54 years of age.
Described by many as a living example of long enduring syncretism of coastal Karnataka, Jaleel was a sixth generation Muslim artist. Jaleel Saheb’s father Babu Saheb, grandfather Imam Saheb, great-grandfather Mugdam Saheb and great-great grandfather Matta Saheb had been serving the Goddess at Kaup with musical instruments reported Deccan Herald (DH). Udipi has lost a legendary fifth-generation Nadaswaram player who played regularly at all three Marigudi temples in Kaup.
Sheikh Jaleel Saheb’s father Babu Saheb, grandfather Imam Saheb, great-grandfather Mugdam Saheb and great-great grandfather Matta Saheb had been serving the Goddess at Kaup with musical instruments. “I am continuing the tradition which was passed on to me with love,” Jaleel Saheb had told DH in an interview a year ago.
Before him, Sheikh Jaleel Saheb’s grandfather Kaup Imam Saheb had also played the music at Marigudi for over 60 years. Thereafter, his father Babu Saheb continued the tradition. Sheikh Jaleel Saheb too, had been playing the music for the past 35 years. “I am satisfied with the service offered to the God, though I hail from a different faith,” he had said.
“I don’t want to break the tradition which our forefathers have followed. I don’t have sons. I have a daughter. I want to pass on the tradition to my brother Sheikh Akbar Saheb’s children,” he was quoted as saying.
Netizen Rizwan Arshad, in his post on X, said Sheikh Jaleel Saheb had performed at Sri Lakshmi Janardhana Temple in Kaup on the occasion of Deepavali festival. “Sheikh Jaleel Saheb’s death is a terrible loss to Udupi,” wrote another netizen Vishnu in his post.
Hosa Kaup Marigudi temple manager Govardhan Sherigar said on Monday that Jaleel was not only a great Nadasaram player, but a very good human being too. He even used to miss his Friday payers while rendering service to the temple, he remembered.
Related:
Understanding Syncretic Islam of Kerala from a historical perspective
Remembering Kazi Nazrul Islam: Syncretic secularism in face of a communal divide