Not
much of a music maniac but definitely, I am an appreciator of art. Music is
art, an art of synchronization, an art for the ears, and an art for the soul.
Music sets your mood. I am not qualified enough to classify music according to
its genre. All I know is good, bad and blissful music. Talk about Yanni, Sneha
Khanwalkar, Imogen Heap, Eric Clapton, Coldplay, Lana Del Ray or the latest
that was wooed my soul, Indian Ocean. They all set your spirit free; they take
you to a different world which is just deeper into yourself.
I
accidentally heard Indian Ocean’s music a couple of years back. Owing to the
limited capacity of my internet connection, the only music I heard was the one
given by friends or my music buff brother. Bandeh, Des Mera, Maa Rewa, Maya and
a few others have been a part of my daily playlist for a while now. Going for
their concert was always a ‘I shall do it someday’ thing. The thought of
spending a hundreds always put me down, considering how many beer pints I could
buy with those. Also, adding to the fact that I have never really enjoyed live
concerts.
The
only time I remember enjoying someone play live was Odyssey. I was moved, more
than their music, by their stage act. By the way they put themselves on that
HRC stage, dropping the newspaper, enlightening how we must be ‘Bringing Back
The Tigers’. That performance moved me to tears and being their Band Manager,
it made me proud.
Indian
Ocean gave me that experience which I would never forget. For the first time, I
went for a concert without being on the guest list because, I wanted it that
way. I wanted it to be worth the buy, I had a hope, they’d pay me back with
their performance.
I
sat somewhere in the middle towards the end where I could see a tiny bit of
them all, considering how tiny I am, I kept my back straight with my neck
stretched like a turtle. There were moments when I just closed my eyes and sunk
into my soul like someone on dope. It was so soothing to my soul amidst the
cold shudder due to the rains outside. I could have slept in that auditorium,
blissfully enjoying their music.
It
wasn’t just a band performing on stage. I mean, wasn’t just India’s finest band
out there. They were those artists, who make you feel comfortable, as if
they’re communicating through the musical language. Of course, their jokes and
puns made us all laugh. There were whistles and hoots, a lot of cheering and
claps. I sat beside a bunch of college kids who would occasionally stand up,
give them a bow and of course, whistle.
I
have attended live shows, ranging from 13 years old kids to 40 year matured
ones playing there, amidst sexy lights and ghostly smokes. Yet, I was thrilled
by the energy that these old folks showed. Sorry, table boy! Pardon me Tuheen.
You’re sexy… WINK.
Amit Kilam, Rahul Ram, Sushmit Sen, Himanshu Joshi and Tuheen Chakravorty. These folks have the charm of a toddler. They mesmerized me with their charm. Rahul Ram, how do you manage to jump and not tumble? How does Himanshu manage that white hair in two different directions? Amit has the magic in his hands. While Sushmit looks like the quite guy, when he plays, he left me stunned. On the corner, I see Tuheen on his table, ‘tabla-ing’ with such deep engrossment.
Amit Kilam, Rahul Ram, Sushmit Sen, Himanshu Joshi and Tuheen Chakravorty. These folks have the charm of a toddler. They mesmerized me with their charm. Rahul Ram, how do you manage to jump and not tumble? How does Himanshu manage that white hair in two different directions? Amit has the magic in his hands. While Sushmit looks like the quite guy, when he plays, he left me stunned. On the corner, I see Tuheen on his table, ‘tabla-ing’ with such deep engrossment.
I am
not sure if they made mistakes. I don’t give a damn about that, anyway. To me,
it seemed just too perfect because they made me fall in love with a band, for
once. Their music isn’t just for me. Their music goes beyond genres, beyond
age, beyond all sorts of bias. I would like my kid to grow up, listening to
them and at the same time, I’d want to sip chaai with my father, listening to
them. Their music is just so profound; each ‘word’ has its gravity of thoughts.
It is bound by absolutely nothing but mere epic-ness
They
truly brought music to life. An evening, worth savoring throughout. When I die,
I wish Indian Ocean plays at my funeral and I shall be literally taking their
music to my grave.
Ek baar, table-sutta-aur –chaai
hojaye to hum kahenge ‘waah’! :D
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