I've been going to the Kala Ghoda Fest whenever I've been in town when its been held. The crowds have grown over the years to such a degree that the Fair this year looked as if a Virar fast had just pulled into platform 4 at Churchgate.
I remember going to see Alms for Shanti (with Mahesh Tinaikar joining in for an amazing rendition of Deep Purple's Hush), Zero (without Warren doing a pure energy cover of PJ's Animal and following it up with PSP) and Parikrama (playing Open Skies and a few Maiden covers) at Azad Maidan in 2006; watching a wonderful presentation by a Frenchman (?) on piano on the history of silent movies at the Asiatic Society's steps in 2007(?); and Niladri Kumar and his amazing fusion ensemble (brilliant solo spots to his band mates) at Rampart Row in 2008.
There has always been the standard college going janta - the moshers, the guys high on substances and just normal students enjoying the show. There has also been the others - the guys stopping by for a break from the mundane on the way back to catch the local home from work at VT (or CST as its now known as). These guys never seemed to be really into the show.
Not anymore.
Yesterday, the Asiatic steps were literally overflowing with people trying to get a glimpse of the show on hand. There were so many people climbing on the banisters lining the steps that the bannisters were getting bent out of shape. Thank god that security was sensible enough to get them off the banisters and made space for them.
Niladri Kumar was back alongwith The Raghu Dixit Project (RDP). Missed out on most of Niladri Kumar's set because of the aforementioned platform at the Fair. Not sure if he played any Sitar or everything was on the Zitar. I caught only the Zitar which seemed to be overprocessed to the extent that the sound man lowered his levels when he was shredding away. Still excellent stuff.
{rant}
There was a thoroughly annoying waste of 45 minutes between the two sets promoting an upcoming film. Yes, you understand that sponsors are required for free events like Kala Ghoda, but you'd appreciate a little subtlety. But hey, this is India. If its not in your face, its not seen.
{/rant}
I'd been told that Raghu Dixit is really good from people who had earlier seen them. I'd never heard them before so wasn't really sure what to expect. What I thought was a TAAQ ripoff at first (bangalore band wearing lungis etc) proved to be a force on their own. Raghu had the audience eating out of his hand - getting them to sing along to a Kannada song, getting a wave going on demand - He owned the place.
Even better was his good humoured irreverence - while getting the crowd to clap to the songs "Security saab, aap bhi tapad maaro." and "The madam in blue in front, whats your problem? Your husband has given you new bangles or what?"
Amazing frontman.
Equally good band. After hearing Afro-Celt Sound System's Mojave, I've always thought the flute goes awesome with music with a crunch. Jethro Tull is a bit too dated for me. The flute and the guitar in RDP though, was modern and distinctly Indian too. Was telling that the Flautist and the Guitarist got the loudest cheers in the encore.
Which brings us back to the transformed audience. The sort of riffing and soloing in RDP would have been looked upon with indifference if not scorn by the non student crowd in the earlier shows I've seen. Is this just a change in audience taste? Or have the bands changed for the audience?
To me it seems a case of a bit of both. The crowd is getting younger - brought up with more external influences, are willing to hear new sounds. At the same time bands have changed as well. RDP sang in local languages, allowing the audience to connect more easily with the song (not that this seems necessary if the response to the Kannada songs in the set in Mumbai are any indicator). But the bands have blended Indian influences into their music. As Raghu mentioned - its a long toil - they've been at it with their music for almost a decade till they achieved success.
Here's to hoping more bands like RDP and Indian Ocean manage to get into the limelight. Maybe RDP should tour and try to open with bands like Shor Bazaar and Anhad
Good times for Original Indian Bands.
I remember going to see Alms for Shanti (with Mahesh Tinaikar joining in for an amazing rendition of Deep Purple's Hush), Zero (without Warren doing a pure energy cover of PJ's Animal and following it up with PSP) and Parikrama (playing Open Skies and a few Maiden covers) at Azad Maidan in 2006; watching a wonderful presentation by a Frenchman (?) on piano on the history of silent movies at the Asiatic Society's steps in 2007(?); and Niladri Kumar and his amazing fusion ensemble (brilliant solo spots to his band mates) at Rampart Row in 2008.
There has always been the standard college going janta - the moshers, the guys high on substances and just normal students enjoying the show. There has also been the others - the guys stopping by for a break from the mundane on the way back to catch the local home from work at VT (or CST as its now known as). These guys never seemed to be really into the show.
Not anymore.
Yesterday, the Asiatic steps were literally overflowing with people trying to get a glimpse of the show on hand. There were so many people climbing on the banisters lining the steps that the bannisters were getting bent out of shape. Thank god that security was sensible enough to get them off the banisters and made space for them.
Niladri Kumar was back alongwith The Raghu Dixit Project (RDP). Missed out on most of Niladri Kumar's set because of the aforementioned platform at the Fair. Not sure if he played any Sitar or everything was on the Zitar. I caught only the Zitar which seemed to be overprocessed to the extent that the sound man lowered his levels when he was shredding away. Still excellent stuff.
{rant}
There was a thoroughly annoying waste of 45 minutes between the two sets promoting an upcoming film. Yes, you understand that sponsors are required for free events like Kala Ghoda, but you'd appreciate a little subtlety. But hey, this is India. If its not in your face, its not seen.
{/rant}
I'd been told that Raghu Dixit is really good from people who had earlier seen them. I'd never heard them before so wasn't really sure what to expect. What I thought was a TAAQ ripoff at first (bangalore band wearing lungis etc) proved to be a force on their own. Raghu had the audience eating out of his hand - getting them to sing along to a Kannada song, getting a wave going on demand - He owned the place.
Even better was his good humoured irreverence - while getting the crowd to clap to the songs "Security saab, aap bhi tapad maaro." and "The madam in blue in front, whats your problem? Your husband has given you new bangles or what?"
Amazing frontman.
Equally good band. After hearing Afro-Celt Sound System's Mojave, I've always thought the flute goes awesome with music with a crunch. Jethro Tull is a bit too dated for me. The flute and the guitar in RDP though, was modern and distinctly Indian too. Was telling that the Flautist and the Guitarist got the loudest cheers in the encore.
Which brings us back to the transformed audience. The sort of riffing and soloing in RDP would have been looked upon with indifference if not scorn by the non student crowd in the earlier shows I've seen. Is this just a change in audience taste? Or have the bands changed for the audience?
To me it seems a case of a bit of both. The crowd is getting younger - brought up with more external influences, are willing to hear new sounds. At the same time bands have changed as well. RDP sang in local languages, allowing the audience to connect more easily with the song (not that this seems necessary if the response to the Kannada songs in the set in Mumbai are any indicator). But the bands have blended Indian influences into their music. As Raghu mentioned - its a long toil - they've been at it with their music for almost a decade till they achieved success.
Here's to hoping more bands like RDP and Indian Ocean manage to get into the limelight. Maybe RDP should tour and try to open with bands like Shor Bazaar and Anhad
Good times for Original Indian Bands.
