The pipes have fallen silent

Over twenty-five years have passed since people heard the musical notes from the organ pipe of the St Stephen’s Church at Kidderpore. The instrument that was an inevitable component of the choir at the church was stopped from being played by Priest Reverend John Siromoni in 1982.

The reason behind the organ pipe going silent was purely on economical reasons. The priest had to take the decision, as it was getting increasingly difficult for the church committee to pay the mounting electricity bills incurred on account of the blowing the organ pipe.

Today the pipe organ has given way to the synthesiser but the charisma and prestige that the old instrument commands is breathtaking. The instrument towers over a height of 10 feet and is in a form of a chamber. There is a door at the outer facade that leads to a chamber inside where the giant blower lies connected to the motor.

Not much is known about the instrument’s history. Facts like when it was installed at the church and who brought it here are still not very clear. The only thing known about the musical instrument is that it has a name of “WC Vowles, Bristol, England” inscribed on it— the only clue about the manufacturers of the instrument.

The history of English chapels and churches shows that the WC Vowles were quite popular in the installations of pipe organs in 1870s.

A pipe organ is a rare kind of musical instrument that provides an important part to all church services and programmes. It produces sound when pressurised air or “wind” is driven through a series of pipes. The size varies greatly, from an instrument with a dozen pipes to one that has over hundreds. The pipes create the musical notes when air enters them after pressing the keyboard.

Rebuilding and renovating an organ is an expensive affair and is done only occasionally, as a result of this some churches have opted for alternative musical instruments.

“We are really keen on renovating the pipe organ. For, undoubtedly a pipe organ is the most traditional and beautiful instrument for accompaniment to prayers and services. But as per our estimates, a total overhaul would require funds to the tune of Rs 2 lakh and that is where we are constrained,” said Jimmy Abel, a member of the St Stephen’s Church committee. The committee itself is plagued by a serious paucity of funds.

Besides the St Stephen’s Church, the other old churches in the city that have a pipe organ are the St Paul’s Cathedral, the St James’ Church, the Old Mission’s Church and St John’s Church in Dalhousie and St Andrew’s Church.