Kerala Motor Vehicle Inspector’s roadside mridangam jam with motorcycle rider goes viral

(image for representation)

A video of a Motor Vehicle Inspector in uniform playing the mridangam during a roadside inspection at Mallappally, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, is now taking social media by storm.

The video features Ajith Andrews, Motor Vehicle Inspector at the Mallappally Sub Regional Transport Office in Pathanamthitta, accompanying a motorcyclist’s song with a spontaneous mridangam performance. The incident occurred on March 19 along the Kottayam-Kozhencherry road when a team from the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) led by Mr. Andrews stopped a motorcycle near Mallappally town for a traffic violation.

“We intercepted the motorcycle as the pillion rider was not wearing a helmet. As it was only after the vehicle came to a halt did I realise it was Sumesh Mallappally, a well-known musician and a long-time friend of mine,” the official said. “He had a mridangam in hand and was on his way to hand it over to a friend.”

As their conversation drifted toward their shared musical interests, bystanders urged them to give an impromptu performance. “That’s how it happened. He sang a song and I joined in on the mridangam,” explained Mr. Andrews.

Meanwhile, a bystander captured the performance on video and uploaded it on social media, where it quickly went viral. The clip was shared with the caption: “Carnatic musician caught by traffic inspector for not wearing a helmet in Kerala. As the inspector turned out to be a mridangam artist himself… watch what happened next!”

But fine imposed

But the music did not let the traffic rules slide. Once the performance ended, the MVD team issued a fine of ₹500 to Mr. Sumesh for violating the helmet rule. He also received an e-challan notification via SMS. Before allowing him to leave, the MVD team conducted a brief awareness session on the importance of helmet safety.

Mr. Andrews, beyond his duties at the MVD, is also a professional percussionist. He has performed on instruments such as the chenda and the tabla for years and has been training in mridangam for the past year and a half.

Mr. Sumesh, meanwhile, is glad the video has gone viral and hopes it carries a message beyond the music.

“I’m happy it’s making rounds online. If it reminds even a few people about the importance of wearing a helmet, it’s worth it,” he said.