Harmonium, novel based on life of M.S. Baburaj, released

Explore the legendary image of M.S. Baburaj in Kozhikode through the well-researched biography "Harmonium".

Fictional biography is not a well-explored genre in Malayalam literature. When writer N.P. Hafiz Mohammed chose to write a book on the life of music director M.S. Baburaj, he chose this genre deliberately, especially because of the latter’s legendary image in Kozhikode.

Harmonium, the novel is a well-researched biography enriched with imagination, indulging in magical realism occasionally. The novel depicts the musician himself releasing the book in his graveyard in the presence of many people who were actually present at the book release on Saturday.

Writer Subhash Chandran, who released the book, pointed out, citing lines from the novel, how music and ‘Babukka’ were ingrained in every fibre of Kozhikode. “There was music in the last bit of blood that I vomited. There was music in the soil of the graveyard where I am buried.”

Mr. Subhash Chandran explained how Baburaj had used intricate notes in his music, which actually sounded hummable but were quite complicated. “He used to hide wonders inside his music,” the writer said, adding that the legends that surrounded Baburaj, as much as his music, created his image. “It is an element that tempts a writer, and Hafiz Mohammed has unearthed it,” he added.

He drew parallels between Baburaj and the mythical character Karnan. “Despite being the son of a well-known musician Jan Mohammed Khan, Mohammed Sabir Babu [Baburaj] had to face ridicule from society,” Mr. Subhash Chandran said, recalling an image in the novel where a young Baburaj always held his harmonium close to his body, like the armour and earrings of Karnan.

Writer Shajahan Madampat presided over the event. Musician V.T. Murali received the book. Mr. Murali and singer Mazha S. Mohammed presented a concert of Baburaj’s songs later in the evening.