Dr. Sheikh Chinna Moulana - Our Tradition

The ancient and traditional art of Nadhaswaram playing has been preserved and fostered by the ancestors for the past 300 years. This art will also be taught, practiced and preserved by the future generation.

“Sisurvethi Pasurvethi Vethi Ganarasam Panihi” so goes the adage meaning that even children cows and cobras are enraptures and enchanted on hearing the Nadhaswaram music rendered by virtuosos and maestros.

Vidhwan Adam Sahib is known for his expertise in the “Ragha - Devagandhari” acclaimed as Deva Ganam and he was hailed by critics as one who proved the above saying to the hilt.

Vidhwan RAsavAripalem Kasim sahib was another great musician who was deeply learned and could answer any doubts on music and was endowed with a very vivid sharp memory. He was capable of using both his hands and feet two maintain Thala while singing Pallavi. He was nicknamed “The Cobra” and was the court musician of several samasthAnams like Gadwala samasthAnam.

Kommur patcha sahib enriched the art of Nadhaswaram.

Vidhwan Chinna Moula Sahib and Pedda Moula Sahib of Chilakaluripeta were brothers. Chinna Moula was well versed in Sanskrit epics like Ramayanam and Amaram and could expound these epics in Telugu. The Thodi Ragha kriti “Munnu Ravana” and the niraval at the sahitya “Rajaraja Virajavaha” were excellently rendered by him on Nadhaswaram. He could sing the Krities like “Dhrona Karna” in the Ragha Simmendramadhyamam and elucidate the composition to bring home the meaning and bhava and render it on Nadhaswaram. He was honored with the title “Nadhaswara Sangeetha Vidhwan” by his contemporaries.

The Kommur brothers Pentu Sahib and Silar sahib were called geniuses.  Pentu Sahib’s proficiency was revealed in several Krities like “Paridhanamichithe-Bilahari” “Endharo Mahanibhavulu-Sri” etc; He was called Kalyani Petu Sahib, Bilahari Pentu Sahib, Kedharagowla Pentu sahib - after the Raghas which flowed melodiously from his instrument.

Another pair of brothers Chinna Peeru Sahib and Peddha Peeru Sahib of Chilakaluripeta were famous for their proficiency in the Raghas Saveri and Abheri.  Nagumomu- Abheri Ragha  Kriti was Chinna Peeru sahib’s favorite piece. He was honored with the title ‘Nadha Brahma” by his contemporaries. While he was plying the Ragha Saveri in the temple of Goddess Kanaka Durga at Vijayawada a distinguished personality called Jonnavithula Seshagiri Rao who was present at that time said, “Chinna Peeru! The Goddess appeared before me, henceforth this Ragha shall be dedicated to the Goddess” which indeed a great honor to the artist who was able to evoke the Goddess with his music.

Sheik Adam sahib of Chilakaluripeta was the Guru of Dr.Sheik Chinna Moulana.

Sheik Abdulla Sahib (Dr.Sheik Chinna Moulana’s grandfather), Sheik Madar Sahib (Dr.Sheik Chinna Moulana’s uncle) and Sheik Kasim Sahib (father of Dr.Sheik Chinna Moulana) were also geniuses. The krities “EntharAni-Harikambhoji, Endhuku DhayarAdha-Thodi, Chakkani RAjamArgamu-Karaharapriya were their special pieces.