Dilruba – literally means that which pleases your soul.
Almost 47 years back, I was fortunate enough to listen the concert of the only Carnatic Musician who plays the North Indian musical instrument, Dilruba. The musician was Angamali Jose. I remember only one piece played by him. It was Kalyani. The aalaap was crafted beautifully, with traces of Yemen of Hindustani Music.
Sri Jose was born in an orthodox Christian family in Angamali in Ernakulam District. It is really sad that nothing more is known about him. How this diminutive musician gained mastery over an obscure Hindustani Musical Instrument, still remains an enigma. Sri Jose was employed in All India Radio, Trichy.
Dilruba resembles the Saarangi in its tone. Dilruba looks like a fretted Saarangi. It has sympathetic strings and hence the tone has a droning effect.
I know his daughter Shobha, who resides in Aluva. I asked her about how Sri Jose was initiated to Dilruba. She knew nothing about it!! Even this rare musical instrument used by Sri Jose is not available with his children!!
Listen to a beautiful rendering of Kaapi in Dilruba by Sri Jose.
narayanan.desamangalam 