Ramdahin Ram was a skilled craftsman with a vision of exemplory perfection.He produced many pieces of indian instruments,some of which are housed at the National Museum of Trinidad and Tobago.Without the realm of modern tools he produced the once thought impossible, dolak,khanjri,dhantal,Sitar and Sarangee.
The following article is taken from nalis (National Library and Information System Authority, Trinidad and Tobago)
"MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Makers of musical instruments like the dholak, khanjri, dhantal, and sitar were found as well. The dholak was a leading instrument for keeping tune and maintaining rhythm in music, while the khanjri, a small hand drum like a tambourine, and the dhantal – the metal rod, were also percussion instruments for keeping time. The sitar required a greater degree of technical skill in construction, and the country’s great sitar maker, Ramdahin Ram, during his ninety-year life span produced many of these instruments, which are used today."
The following article is taken from 103 FM HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE 1940-1950 ATwww.rafimohammed.com
"Special Recognition:
Ramdahin Ram - Sitar Maker
He was an unheralded genius who wits born in April 1906 to Sakarjee and Balkissoon Singh, indentured labourers who arrived here in 1876. Ramdahin was a Jack of all trades Master of many. He was a Mahant who became the first non Brahmin pundit to be registered by an act of Parliament in 1946.
Ramdahin a carpenter by trade built several houses with all the fancy paraphernalia that was in vogue at the time. He built bull carts, horse saddles, sapats, kitchen utensils both from iron and wood. He was in demand as a dancer and led at least six groups simultaneously. He performed all over the country. He was also a member of the Philharmonic orchestra in which he played the Sitar and the Saragee.
Picture these artistes dresses in their costumes riding in a touring hood car while distributing their pamphlets throughout their villages. In spite of all his achievements in the various fields Ramdahin is best known for his ability to make Indian musical instruments. In a time when the world was at war Ramdahin used whatever materials were available locally to fashion Sitars, Sarangees, Tambouras, Ektaras, Dholaks, Tassas, Khanjeeras, Kartals and other lesser-known instruments.
Today one can still view his work at the museums in Port of Spain and in New York. His son Mahabal Ram still has a few of his father's pieces and his notes written in Hindi. He has a hundred stringed Sarangees, a Sitar, Khanjaree and Kartals all intact. This great son of Trinidad and Tobago passed away in January 1994."
The following is taken from google search.
library2.nalis.gov.tt/infofiles/cgi-bin/library.exe?e=d-000-00---0index08--00
