For over 30 years now, Muneer has been a professional tabla player, like his father, grandfather and even great grandfathers.
Near the start of his career, while playing in Kolkata, Muneer developed pain and weakness in his hands. He visited a doctor there who recognised the symptoms of leprosy and started him on medication straight away. Muneer did not see improvement in his hands after a few months and so decided to stop taking the multi drug therapy. This was a particularly upsetting time for him. He avoided getting married until he was 42 and his wife still does not know he has had leprosy.
When he left Kolkata, Muneer decided to resume treatment for his leprosy. He visited the Dhoolpet Referral Centre and the Blue Peter Public Health and Research Centre. He began taking multi drug therapy once again.
While Muneer’s leprosy has been cured, the pains in his hands have never fully disappeared. Whenever he plays the Tabla vigorously, he gets pains in his hands. However, he still plays regularly in Hyderabad, and now also teaches the Tabla to people.
He worries that his income isn’t enough to support his children and his wife. He wants his children to get the best education they can.
He wants to let the newly affected people know that constant medication and adhering to doctor’s advice helps the disease to be controlled.
Interview by Dr Diana Lockwood. All photos taken in Hyderabad, India 2019 ©Tom Bradley
