Band famous for Lotus signature tune
This series focuses on bands of yesteryear and the important role that Indian bands played in the community and the music industry.
This month,
DURING the early
1900s, many Tamil orchestras and musical bands existed in Durban Central. This was partly due to the fact that many seasoned musicians lived in both Magazine and Railway barracks, and the CBD.
The band, originally called the Railway Youth Orchestra, was formed in late 1938 by clarinet player KS Naicker, who was also the leader.
The founding members included P Naidoo, GS Naicker, AS Chetty, K Govindaraj, SN Chetty, PK Dass, R Ganas, MG Reddy, MM Muthoo, MM Moodley, R Samanathan, S Naidoo, MN Govender, M Gopaul, CN Abbai, P Chinniah, MM George, Narsingh Naidoo, SR Devar, AS Lott, V Kisten Pillay, Gengappa Naicker and KM Pillay.
Other band members included Gopalan Govender, Peter Jack, Billy Gengan, Madhavan Nair, Billy Kisten, Srinivasan Sonny Pillay, Armugum Pillay, Loganathan Pillay, Kisten Naidoo, Nadarajan Naidoo, Bama Reddy, Pat Krishnan, Pushpaganthie, Woolaganathan Naidoo and VS Umapathy.
After Naicker, Billy Gengan took over but, sadly, he passed away two years later. The accordion and harmonium player, Madhavan Nair, took over the leadership and led the band for the next 34 years.
The band was disciplined and followed the Carnatic (South Indian classical) style of music, based on the raga system, performing cover versions of Tamil movie songs.
Rehearsals were held twice weekly for an average of three hours. However, rehearsal time increased when preparing
for performances. They were held at the first two band leaders’ houses in Umgeni Road and Prince Edward Street, respectively, until space was provided at the Natal Tamil Vedic Society Hall in Carlisle Street.
It was a city-based orchestra and only gained national acclaim in 1946 after a national tour titled Song of India hosted by the Anti-Segregation Council and the Natal Indian Congress. Their other highlight was composing the signature tune, Ranjeni Rhapsody, for the launch of Radio Lotus in 1983.
After existing for 57 years the orchestra disbanded in 1992.