CSI GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH,VELACHERRY-PRESENT STATUS UNKNOWN -JUNKED AND SOLD AS SCRAP
a.ST ANDREW'S KIRK,EGMORE,CHENNAI-PRESENT STATUS UNKNOWN b.TELC ANBUNATHAR CHURCH-TRANSFERRED TO TELC KATHIRALAYAM CHURCH,PANDUR,TIRUVALLUR
CSI TRINITY CHURCH,AVADI,CHENNAI,Present Status unknown
TELC CHURCH IN TRANQUBAR HOUSE-SIDE LINED
CSI DUDLEY CHURCH,DINDIGUL,PRESENT STATUS UNKNOWN
QUITE A NUMBER OF ARTRONICA ORGANS -PORTABLE MODELS/SPINET MODELS/LARGE CONSOLE MODELS EXIST IN MANY CHURCHES/HOMES/ORGANISATIONS-PROBABLY NOT,ANYMORE. 8.MATEER MEMORIAL CHURCH (KERALA)-TRANSFERRED TO VENNIYOOR CSI CHURCH (KERALA) 9.CSI JOHN'S ENGLISH CHURCH,TIRUCHIRAPALLI -TRANSFERRED TO AN INDIVIDUAL. 10.ST LUKE'S CHURCH,MANDAVELLI,CHENNAI-PRESENT STATUS UNKNOWN 11. CSI JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH,CONOOR,NILGIRIS-SIDELINED 12.ONE MR PATEL,PUDUCHERRY-TWO ARTRONICA PORTABLE ORGANS 13.MR HARRY PANDIAN,(ORGANIST,CSI ALL SAINT'S CHURCH ORGANIST)-ONE PORTA Artronica-PRESENT STATUS UNKNOWN 14.IN ACTIVE USE(PROBABLY NOT,NOW):TANJORE HOLY COMFORTER TELC CHURCH,CSI CENTRAL CHURCH VELLORE,BETHEL CHURCHVELLORE,NEW DEHLI'S ST MARTIN'S CHURCH(CANTONMENT),AMBUR EMMANUAL CHURCH,BANGALORE PAVANAGAR CHURCH,MADURAI -PONAGARAM,EAST GATE, AND ANNA NAGAR CHURCH,CHENNAI-SANTHOME THOMAS CHURCH,CSI ULAGAMEETPAR ALAYAMROYAPURAM,CSIENGLISH CHURCH PALLAVARAM,ST BARTHALEMEWS CHURCH,PAMAL,MARY MAGDALENE CHURCH,POONAMALEE.
TELC TANQUEBAR CHURCH:One manual Artronica. Presently collecting dust ,as I was told my friend Edwin who visited this church as a Tourist.
Happy Artronica: The Organ at Maier Memorial Church,Hubli,Karnataka.After thirty Years of its installation in 1990,it is still used whenever,there is requirement-Courtesy:Mr Anup,Asst Organist,Maier Memorial Church
Happy Atronica:Mr Anup says that their Artronica sounds more grand than their imported Roland 100 Organ.This Artronica Organ has two manuals like the erstwhile Pondy Artronica Organ but has as only a smaller 13 Key Pedal Clavier coupled additionally to the last Octave on the Lower Manual.And it is presently being used due to a few issues in the Roland.-Coutesy:Anup.
St John's Church,Puducherry:SAD ARTRONICA AT A CHURCH:LYING SILENT NOW;
A keyboard took over and the Organ was allowed to pass into neglect.Much care went to ensure that the Pedals Keys were protected even if not used as you can see in the image.
THE ARTRONICA ORGAN AT TELC ANBUNATHAR CHURCH,ANNA NAGAR,CHENNAI IN THE DAYS OF YORE: This was a double manual Full Pedal Board Artronica. It was not that attractive on its exteriors but the console looked good enough from a distance an the last Octave was in reverse Black and White colouring order for Pedal Key Coupling.When I mentioned this to Mr John George,erstwhile manufacturer of Reginald Organs,he mentioned that he had introduced this concept on the Artronica Organ.Mr Subash revealed that this Octave was meant to help the Organist to reach the Pedal Notes without pressing the Pedal Keys.The Two small rectangular openings on the Cabinet ,were actually meant to release the Heat generated by the Electronic inside..
I do not exactly know the circumstances leading to its eventual repatriation.But attempted to sketch it for myself. During the New Year Service: 31 December 2005-1 January 2006,the Organ was found with its Fall/Slide Rest Closed.A new Yamaha Keyboard graced the Keyboard stand that was placed closer to the aisle.And in preparation for the watchnight service some songs like 'Eniladanga' and 'Sthothiram seivene' were being played on that keyboard, in accompaniment to the congregational singing.In a few days ,the Organ was missing from its place,and that Keyboard took the honours there.I used to nurse the fond hope that the Organ would come back after some repairs.Some pleaded with the Committee to let the Organ be placed in a corner,probably near the vestry.But this suggestion was not accepted.The Choir Master,it is said that had taken a personal interest in the maintainance of this Organ.He used to get it serviced once in three months.That practice ,must have made this Organ ,the best maintained Organ(be it a Pipe Organ/Electronic Organ/Digital Organ),any where in the World,during it time time at that church.
Eventually,in the Year 2006 ,it was sent to TELC Kathiralayam Church, in Pondur Village, Tiruvallur Dt. One report from an Anbunathar Church Source said that this Organ failed the church during a service at Anbunathar Church.Another report from a Church Source,said that it was in perfect working order, and that it was shifted because some people wanted modern Keyboards sounds in place of its ancient sounds.As the decision had been taken to repatriate it, it was shifted to TELC Kathiralayam Church of the Pandur Village,Tiruvallur Dt, because the Pastor(Rev Daniel), Church had evinced interest in having it there.The Committee in Kathiralayam Church , must have been bewildered looking at this instrument and probably could not comprehend its importance or value in terms of costs or value.It was installed with its full Pedal board and in full working order by Mr Subash, with the instruction to get it serviced regularly once in a year.
The Organist of TELC Kathiralayam,as I have gathered , was quite adept at playing the Organ and used the Pedal Board profusely and effectively, and tried to train the next generation,but unfortunately ,he passed away.The Organ fell into disuse as also dysfunctional over time ,and then,the Keyboards took over.
At present,it has been safely kept in the Store Room of the Church.The Church could not find a person to play it or repair it or service it.And there was no one to play that style of Music.The comforting fact is that it has been kept safe.The Credit should go to the church.
However,I can never forget its glorious sounds,the Organist Mr Thangaiah , and his Swish across the Keys of the Upper Manual,while playing the Song on the Lower Manual,for the Song,"Seer Esu Natharukkku Jeya Mangalam', on festive days (I remember he tried it on the Yamaha later but the keyboard did give leeway for such an action)and the wonderful choir that sang with it.He was very fluent with the use of the Pedal Keys on the Organ's full Pedal Board ,which I could notice, while sitting in the Balcony of that Church.
Before I entered into that Church for the first time,it was the sound of this Organ that welcomed me,in June 1994.
Some members did not like to send away that Organ as it was in a very good working condition and they had to give up on the idea of retaining that Organ as there was no other option.
Recently ,while deliberating on this Organ,I was told by the Trumpet Gentleman,Mr Irudayaraj, that Organ heavyweights of yore,such as Cooling Rajaiah and Handel Manuel,had attended the dedication service of this Artronica Organ,at the time of its installation.There are quite a few who do not miss this Organ too and they probably wonder as what all this discussion is about. Not surpising indeed, for I have heard many such negative comments too-One Keyboardist in Pondicherry described the St John's Artronica as an Ottai Organ(Hollow/Useless Organ),Another Grade 8 Pianist/Organist said of the same Organ,"When you hear it first time,it sounds something great but it is nothing.The C to C pitching is not satisfactory".Another enlightened Music conductor from a Chennai Church who prefers Pianos or Keyboards had communicated a similar opinion,as I happened to hear.Just as I was recommending an Organ purchase to a Treasurer,an Organist interjected to recommend a Keyboard purchase, as though very fearful ,that that the Treasurer would purchase an Organ ,with just my recommendation.Quite a Paradox,I thought to myself,'Some want to be the Organist but they do not want to play on the Organ'.
My only hope is that Mr Thangaiah,who was honoured recently ,with a Concert of Sacred Music in Museum Theatre,Chennai,is given a new Cathedral Model Digital Organ ,to foster and encourage the other young Organists.
The Artronica Organ at Madurai Anna Nagar CSI Church:It had been given to this Church by the St George's Church of Madurai.However,it is not being used now.It was 20 years old when it started serving at the St Thomas Church(Anna Nagar,Madurai).I remember the early nineteen eighties when a small keyboard was being used there during the church's early days.This Organ must have come in later.This Artronica was serviced by Mr John George of the Reginald Music Industries according to Organist Kirubakaran Courtesy-Organist Kirubakaran
PS-The One Manual Artronica in the CSI House of Prayer had this kind of Metal Dashboard(if you may call it so.
Trivia 1:I joined the Sethu Bhaskara School of Pudur,Ambattur as a Post GraduateTeacher in 1993.People used to talk about this Gentleman John George's skills in all Sound Based electronics.The new Sethu Bhaskara School(Ambattur,Chennai) was in need of Proper Speakers for its PA Systems and by default,I was the natural Master of ceremonies for the school events.I was then,that I suggested Mr John George's name as a possible supplier.This suggestion was accepted by the Correspondent Mr Sethu Kumanan. Earlier ,he had accepted my suggestion for the purchase of a PSS -390 Keyboard for the School's Music Department.So we went there and had a talk with Mr John George.Well,I had an axe to grind.In my heart of hearts ,I also wanted to see the man and his creations,the Reginald Organs of yore.The School's work enabled me to visit him and his small factory on quite a few occasions.As for Reginalds,I saw one three Manual Reginald being built there.Mr John said that it was being built for the St George's Church of Madurai. Now you can see the connection.The St George's got its three Manual Reginald and so its older two manual Artronica came to St Thomas's Church ,Madurai. Now the St George's has a Content Digital Organ.I wonder what's happened to the three Manual Reginald that was there. And there was Portable Keyboard Style Five Octaves Reginald Organ right in the drawing Room of his House awaiting repairs.Apart from these Organs ,I was able to see plenty of Yamaha Electone Organs which were there at his Factory awaiting repairs.On one visit,I noticed a Yamaha Electone Organ with One Octave Pedals in a switched on condition, undergoing tests.Instinctively,I went towards it and started playing the Four Part arrangement of the Hymn,'What a Friend we have in Jesus' from memory.And then tried the Pedal keys for the first time in my life.It was an unforgettable moment.I loved the completeness of the Organ Sound with the complement of the Pedal Notes.Mr John George who was standing beside said, "That's Mr Handel Manual's Organ"{Late Mr Handel Manual was a Big Person in Organ Music in this part of South India.He was made an Honourary Fellow of the Royal College of Church Music,London.He was given the Padma Bhushan award by the Government of India for his achievements in Western Music.Mr Handel Manual was a self taught Musician in Formal Western Music}.Mr John added,"My organs (Reginalds)actually sound better than these Yamaha Electone Organs".To learn Music of this genre ,I used to expose myself to Musical Concerts in Rani Seetha Hall .In all of the Handel Manuel (MPSC) Concerts in Rani Seethai Hall and in St Andrew's Kirk,I have seen ,probably,this Organ which used to be played by Mr Arul Siromony ,and when Piano was used,it was played by Miss Pratibha Williams. Coming to those Speakers for Sethu Bhaskara,they really functioned very well and satisfied all the acoustic needs of the fledging Sethu Bhaskara School.-Praveen
Trivia 2:I got this response from Mr Moses,former Assistant Organist at St George's ,Madurai who has been living abroad for quite a few years now.His memories mention fraction Footages on Stops which I have not noticed earlier on these Indian Organs: I was extremely happy to see a picture of Artronica Organ serial number 001 in your website. It was Prof E.S.Moses, organist at the St George's at that time who was instrumental in ordering that Organ from an yet unknown company. As his son I had the pleasure of playing it for services in the St. George's till I left Madurai to wander around the world. The beauty of this particular organ build is the sliders mainly for the upper manual and a few for the lower manual. One can adjust these for many many variations in tone. If I remember well the yellow sliders were for the 16', 8', 4', 2' flutes and the green ones are for the 2 2/3 and 1 1/3 flutes. There were also other adjustments in this model which are rarely found in other electronic organs including the Artronica ones. It made such a huge difference at that time when it replaced a pump organ and one could hear the music played on it outside the newly extended church walls even though its amplifier system was not really built as in modern church organs.
If that organ is still in service now it will be about 40 years old, far too long for an organ to survive in the tropical climate and the irregular utility power services there. I believe it was Mr John George who actually built it and brought it with him to install it in St George's. I wish I can get a clearer picture of it for old times sake.
Many Years ago,when I had embarked upon the documenting the gradual disappearance of the Artronica(around 2006),I had chanced upon a Used Artronica for sale probably, on e bay.It was specified that it was not in working condition.Yesterday(10/04/2020),I chanced upon this image which I had saved from the site.The Paradox is that I have not really played on an Artronica,except for a bit of playing on the St John's Pondicherry Organ for about 5 minutes ,and then for another 5 Minutes on a' beyond Hope',Artronica Portable Keyboard Organ,which was purchased by Emmanuel Jeba,in the hope of restoring it)an Enthusiast like me.It was emitting whistles at the most.