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Play it again, Herbert

by Jeremy Bowles.

A profile of Sivakasi's well known pianist, Mr. Herbert, for whom making music is a passion, not just a vocation.

There are some who take retirement as a hint to stop working; instead Mr. Herbert has found a career as a piano teacher, giving lessons to nascent musicians in and around Sivakasi. However, as we talk with Mr. Herbert and his wife, it becomes obvious that this second career is less of an obligation and more the development of a lifelong hobby.

The couple retired ten years ago, leaving behind careers in teaching at local schools. Since then, they have kept up important roles in the local Christian community, with Mr. Herbert acting as the organist for St. Peter's Church. It is this religious influence that seems to have permeated every facet of Mr. Herbert's life, evident in the iconographic paraphernalia displayed on his walls and the hymnbooks stacked high in the corner. Indeed, as he explains, many parents simply want their children to learn the accompaniments to hymns - some of these students even act as substitutes to Mr. Herbert at the church when he is unable to attend.

The couple moved to Sivakasi in 1967, both stemming from highly musical families. This is reflected in their children, as they list off the varied musical accomplishments of each of their four offspring. Mr. Herbert himself started to play the piano in high school. Nowadays he teaches around 25 young students from the surrounding area. These students are between nine and seventeen years old, with varying degrees of proficiency. In recent years he has started to send students to take Trinity Guildhall examinations, substantiated by the mountain of past certificates lying on his table. This incentive of a concrete qualification has boosted interest in learning the instrument, though he advertises on a strictly word-of-mouth basis. This, as he explains, allows him to continue enjoying his 'work', which he instead refers to as a pastime, and prevents it from turning into a chore.

His commitments at the local Church are equally significant. Acting as organist, he pens accompaniments to Tamil hymns and has written songs for harvest festivals. Once a month, his church performs an English service. However, the general lack of interest in English music prevents these from being more frequent. As he and his wife proceed with a rousing rendition of 'Thirty Pieces of Silver', this seems almost a shame. However, interest in classical composers remains, attested to by the stacks of Bach, Beethoven and Mozart by the television. Popularity peaks around Christmas, when the ubiquity of festive music is palpable.

Mr. Herbert's role in the community, both as a teacher and as the church organist, is invaluable and will keep music within Sivakasi for generations to come.