A middle-aged man wearing a white shirt-and-dhoti and a shawl began playing the nadaswara, accompanied by other artistes, while the paathri (priest) began the worship at Moorane Mari Gudi (third Mari temple) in Kaup in Udupi district on April 5. This otherwise usual temple ritual gained special significance this year as the musician is a Muslim — Sheik Jaleel Saheb.
Kaup has been in the news with some temples being the first to ban Muslim street vendors from setting up shops during temple fairs after Muslim traders supported the bandh against the hijab verdict. Amidst this controversy, Mr. Jaleel and his younger brother Sheik Akbar Saheb continue to render music at temples in the coastal town.
“We render music service at temples, starting from Lakshmi Janardhana temple to the three Mari Gudis (temples) as and when required. Ours is the fifth generation rendering music service at temples,” Mr. Jaleel told The Hindu on April 5. “Despite fasting during the holy month of Ramazan, the almighty has been giving us the strength to play the nadaswara,” he added.
