Sounds of music

Chandrabose P.C. has pushed the limits of human musical skills. This multi-instrumentalist, who is famous for his ability to play 35 instruments, has set the Asian World Record this month for simultaneously playing 4 instruments simultaneously for 48 minutes.

Chandrabose can perform an entire set of percussions for hours together and walk away as if nothing has happened. Ask him how it all began and he says “I always had an interest in learning musical instruments.Back in school, I used to drum on the desk and at times spread tiffin boxes on the desk to create different tones.

That is how the interest developed. I first learnt to play the Congo, followed by trumpet and chenda. These were the only instruments that I learnt under the guidance of gurus,” Yes, the rest he learned all by himself! Chandrabose explains, “I learnt to understand notations when learning congo, so I applied the same while playing other instruments as well.” He can currently play 35 instruments which includes the keyboard, guitar, flute, bugle, percussions, chenda, djembe and dholak to name a few.

He has been working as a music teacher at Talent Public School, Jnarakkal for close to 20 years. “I have been associated with musical instruments for the past 30 years.” Chandrabose is the recipient of Ambedkar National Fellowship and the Lalithakala Akademi Award. He also got an entry in the Limca Book of Records in 2015 for playing 4 instruments simultaneously for 20 minutes straight. “Apart from my individual records, 58 of my students have entered the Asian Book of Records for ‘Most number of children playing Chenda’. The Asian URF World record has also shortlisted me along with 50 other extremely talented people across the world for the ‘Icon Award’ this year, “he adds.

Some may call him a magician of the sounds but he knows magic tricks as well and has a show named ‘Sangeethathil oru Indrajalam.' Speaking about his next target, Chandrabose says, “I am planning a show with all the 35 instruments that I can play at the Durbar Hall at Ernakulam. I will also be going for the Guinness World record.”