Taradath massages the drums

THE audience at the Centre of Excellence was mesmerised by the dholak player who hit the stage with delightful drumming Taradath Sawh “massaged” the tabla and dholak with his magical fingers. The Gasparillo musician is also a massage therapist who is happy with the way life is unfolding. “I get a lot of fulfillment and happiness from my music and it is extremely rewarding to see a satisfied customer after the massage therapy is over,” he said. Taradath, who has taken over the massaging business from his late father Boodhan Sawh, noted that in the early days in every village there was someone who would do the “cracking” of joints and rubbing of the muscle for relief.

“You will find one such person who understands the way the body works and one who can fix a vein that goes out of place. My father and my mother were well known for this in Gasparillo and it didn’t take me long to realise that I got the gift from him. I started off by treating my own body for little ailments and soon I was able to treat other people in the village,” he said. Working alongside his mother, the massage business is paying off as there are usually scores of people at the Sawhs’ place seeking a massage. Taradath is not interested in attaining a high profile job but instead he wants to complete his diploma in massage therapy at the Institute of Health in Canada and to train other people in this art.

“I believe that this profession is very important. On many occasions the doctor can only do so much for a patient who is suffering from stress or tired muscles. And this is where the massage therapist comes in,” he states. He is comfortable with his music career as well and says being a part of a performing team is exciting. “Being on stage gives you a kind of high that is indescribable. It is a unique feeling. And I look forward to mounting the stage and providing music for people who are just waiting for entertainment. “Music is very much in demand. Today there are more live shows happening on a daily basis. If you are good in music chances are you will be hired on a regular basis for jobs.”

He was introduced to the tassa drums at age four by his father. He eventually started playing the dholak at the Lumsin Mandir in Gasparillo and played for the school’s choir at the annual Ball Vikaas competition. At the Gasparillo Composite School he learned African drumming and can play any drum. He thanked his aunt Deopatie Sawh for purchasing the first pair of tabla for him. “It was a gift that will last me a life time. The drums will get old but it helped me to develop into a professional drummer who is now in demand at both national and international shows,” he said. Asked what advice he would give to young people who are educated and do not have a job, he said: “I believe that everyone must follow their hearts.

They must work towards getting success by practising and perfecting their art. They must also do a lot of devotion so that God will be on their side to help them along.” Taradath is a regular drummer for Shivanand Maharaj at religious functions in and also accompanies lecturer/singer Shakuntala Jangbahdoor at local and overseas engagements. He is also one of the key players for the performing couple, Rana and Susan Mohip of Gasparillo and has travelled extensively providing drumming for many artistes contracted to perform in Canada, New York and the Caribbean. Taradath has seven sisters who shower him with attention. “I am the only guy and they look up to me,” he said.