Cop who marches to a different tune

[1]

The hardened hand that wields the police baton also knows to play music on the piano. Sub-inspector S. Ramu from the public relations wing of Chennai city police could never give up his passion for music even after 28 years of service.

In fact, the 47-year-old, who joined the police force at the behest of his father, has managed to keep his passion alive by learning different forms of music in his spare time. “If I had not been a policeman, I would be playing a musical instrument in some troupe or would have even become a singer,” Ramu says without any hesitation.

Ramu has reasons to say so. As a man addicted to music, Ramu’s mind was always romantically attached to tunes and harmony. “My father was not in a position to afford my music lessons though I always wanted to learn music. Immediately after school, my father made me join the police force. Soon after, I got married after a short love affair,” recalls Ramu with a wink.

It was in 1996 that Ramu, who had put in many years in the public relations department of the city police, joined a piano class to sharpen his musical skills after he saw a foreigner playing the instrument at a concert in the city.

“I found it very fascinating. It was very interesting and I managed to pass four grades in two years and got a certificate from London Royal School,” he recalls. His experiments with music did not stop with the piano lessons.

A fan of Ilayaraja, he went on to learn Carnatic and Hindustani music and the tabla as well. “After a lot of practical experience, I am now trying to learn the theory of music,” he said.

Not given to socialising, he still conducts mini music sessions at home for his family. “My wife sings well. So, I play the piano for her at home,” he says. When Mr K. Vijayakumar, the then city police commissioner, came to know about Ramu’s piano skills, the officer asked him to play for him.

“I played Kaadhal pisase song from movie Run at that time. He encouraged me and presented me with a wristwatch,” Ramu recalls proudly.

Twenty-eight years in the force would have normally added a lot of kilos around the waist. But not for Ramu who looks trim even now. “I have a 26-year-old son. I am getting old,” he says modestly.
People are surprised when he says he has four sons.

“Two are employed. The eldest is in the force, second son is in an IT firm and my last two boys are in college,” he smiles with pride