Banned LIVE and not without reason.

Tuesday afternoon, 3pm in the office, I found myself belly full, a computer full of work to finish before the evening ended and eyes that were failing me and craved sleep (this happens every afternoon). Everything went blurry and I collapsed in front of my computer.

My dreams took me to funny places as they always do. Swirls, hair sticking out in all directions, walls closing in, people walking, talking, dressing and acting funny – all of this was too much of an ideal world for me, for it to be true. I opened my eyes and found that it was ten minutes later. I needed something to get me out of this daze, to wake me up and get me back to work and only one thing came to mind.

Over the weekend, my friend S introduced me to some mental people from another world who made music from another world. They called themselves ‘LIVE Banned‘. While I hung out with them, I got to listen to bits and pieces of what they composed and it was unlike anything I had heard or seen before.

So in my daze and after that dream of ETs and colours, I decided to check out the music of ‘LIVE Banned’.

S ‘warned’ me about their exceptional mixes and weird style – Swat Kats and Naaku Mukha, enough said.

Going into it without any preconceived notions, a clear head that was washed off any thoughts because of that radical dream I just had, I closed my eyes, put on my headphones and listened to ‘Ringamukha Kats’ (the name says it all). What followed was three minutes and nineteen seconds of sheer ‘Awesomeness’. It is not everyday I come across tamil songs that I recognize.

On Sunday, March 25, 2012, I had the opportunity to meet four of the five members of LIVE Banned. Having learnt about them only a couple of days ago, I was excited to meet them simply because of their name – LIVE Banned. I do not have to spell out how cool this name is.

One by one I met Amrit (Amrit Rao), Dheeru (Dheerendra Doss), Dhruv (Dhruv Kumar) and The Sid (Siddharth Kamath). Separate, like I met Amrit, he seemed sane, intelligent, confident and very different from the Amrit you will see on stage. Then came Dheeru and I caught a hint of the madness. Minutes later we joined Dhruv and a dude called ‘The Sid’ and insanity hovered above us.

The air was filled with PJs, stories of a recent past experience at a gig and complete insanity. I couldn’t help but silently laugh at every stupid joke they cracked.

I was with S assisting in shooting a promotional video for the M.A.D. Music Festival scheduled to take place in the second week of April. As if shooting the video and trying to keep still wasn’t hard enough, from the time we called for ‘Action’ till we ‘Cut’, they cracked the lamest, most stupidly ‘Awesome’ jokes that as soon as we cut, I went into a fit of laughter. From a camo hat to a netted table cloth head gear, swirly glasses and synthetic shiny hair to black sunglasses and a weighing machine, this band had what I always look for in a musical act, these guys had style, not a conventionally ‘Awesome’ style, but since when is convention considered ‘Awesome’ anyway?

From the limited amount of time I spent with them, this is what I learnt -

Amrit is the ’Daddy’ of the band and rightfully so. A small guy with a voice as big as an elephant (vocals, of course).

Dheeru is the mother, responsible, trying to hold things together and getting everyone involved while keeping the madness alive (drums).

Dhruv  is the guitarist and yes, the child.

The Sid. I am paraphrasing here, but he kept referring to himself as the Band Mistress. He was multifaceted and (over) enthusiastic. But it sort of fits doesn’t it?!

While hanging with them, I only got to listen to excerpts of their music, but what I heard made me want to go back home and listen to more. So as I listened to their tracks on reverbnation.com I got a clearer picture of the type of music they produce.

Emotional Atyachar from Dev D is one of my favourite Bollywood numbers. LIVE Banned’s mix called ‘Mission Attyachar‘ is a beautiful rendition. Just like Emotional Atyachar, it had great rhythm and hit the right notes. ‘Bhaag DK Bose’ and ‘Eye of the Tiger’ were a great combo to add in the song, but the ‘Shiela ki Jawani’ bit failed to deliver. Followed by ‘Munni Badnaam Hui’ and the song ending with a zandu balm note, it was overall a great experience.

They have tackled Rammstein and Europe, Nakku Mukka and Ringa Ringa, and everywhere they have done a commendable job. Although not one of  A. R. Rehman’s best compositions, ‘Jai Ho’ is Rehman’s and therefore not very easy to reproduce, not by LIVE Banned and definitely NOT by the ‘Pussycat Dolls’. In ‘Europe ko jai se pyar ho gaya’, the vocalist just failed to deliver the way that Rehman does. But then maybe it’s not right to compare.

Their music is different alright. What they produce may not get the approval of classical artists with super technical knowledge, but you don’t have to look very close to know there there is talent oozing out of this band and no lack of technicalities, especially out of the vocalist and drummer (who has many credits to his name, but that is a story for another day), sometimes known as the ‘Dad’ and ‘Mom’ of LIVE Banned.

The word ‘Awesome’ is being used rather carelessly in this day and age. As you will notice, I have very carefully used it very carelessly here. The reason is this – When I first met Amrit, I asked him what genre of music his band plays. He said that they experimented with several genres, but overtime realized that they fit in only one place, one word, one genre – The Genre ‘Awesome’ and I fully consent.

Read their Bio Profile here – LIVE Banned

DISCLAIMER – This is one girl’s opinion. Please feel free to critique it in anyway you see fit. If you think I have got it wrong, I would like to know. It is a learning experience.

What makes a band/musical group successful? (A brief analysis, Part I)

Mr Gaurav Vaz, the bassist of The Raghu Dixit Project (TRDP) commented on my previous blog post – My first time with Raghu and asked me what it is that I saw that made me think that the band lacked chemistry?

It made me think about what makes a band successful, critically successful. There are many contributing factors, of which one of them is chemistry. This factor, though important is one that can be easily overcome. (Please note, commercial success can be achieved even with mediocrity, so that is not what I am referring to)

The important elements that go into making a successful music group are -

• Talented musicians (duh!)
• Like-minded musicians, in relation to the various genres they will tackle together
• An equally distributed sense of dedication on the part of the members (remember, success is one percent inspiration and ninety nine percent perspiration. The same goes for talent and perspiration)
• An exceptional lyricist. Never underestimate the need for good lyrics (Remember that song Friday by that girl – Rebecca Black?)
• A visionary
• A team to execute the vision

Over the years, numerous bands in various genres have come into the spotlight and become popular temporarily (ex. boy bands of the 90s) or have left an everlasting mark on the history of music (ex. the genius acts that surfaced during the 60s, 70s and 80s). Sometimes, some of them would use this fame to establish themselves as individual artists. The worthy experience success (John Lennon, Beyonce to name a few) and the mediocre go away unnoticed (Ronan Keating, and the likes?!)

Take for example vocal groups from the 60s like the Shirelles and the Supremes, groups of the 90s like Boyzone and NSync and the more recent Destiny’s Child and Pussycat Dolls to name a few. These groups have success stories of their own time, some short lived, and some legendary, but all of them had leaders who out shined the others and it’s a common fact that they wouldn’t be successful acts if not for these members.

• The Pussycat Dolls. Personally I wouldn’t like to go here, but they make a great example for two points – 1. They exemplify the phrase ‘Bad Music’ and 2. Nicole Scherzinger. (Read Entertainment Weekly’s Margeaux Watson in her 2008 review of PCD – Doll Domination for insight on what I am talking about)
• Destiny’s Child was something else all together. Beyonce was the face and the voice. Kelly Rowland no doubt has powerful vocals, but in front of Beyonce? Come on! And Michelle Williams, I don’t remember her contribution to the group.
• NSync and Boyzone – Justin Timberlake and Ronan Keating. As for the other members, quoting Margeaux Watson from the above mentioned article “well… can you name them? Do you even know how many are there?”
• The Supremes had Diana Ross and they went to the extent of calling themselves ‘Diana Ross and the Supremes’. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out why?
• The Shirelles are a group that became what they were because of each other, like the Spice Girls.

Most of the above mentioned groups got together at young ages either as siblings, neighbourhood friends or classmates. After the groups were launched, very soon you could tell who the talent was. With popular music, comes a demand for accessibility,through videos, interviews and other forms of publicity which is catered to, to promote the ‘music’, at least that’s how it begins. But a lot of times, the camera looks for the talent/the face/the frontman/woman of the group, and why not? He/she has the biggest job there, the voice and surprisingly a lot of the time, the face.

With the spotlight focused on one person in the group, it makes the rest of the members question their importance and value in the band. Somehow, vocal groups just don’t seem to work, unless everyone in the group are exceptional vocalists like in an A capella group, but I don’t want to go there now.

Going in another direction, if a band has talent that is equally distributed, exceptional instrumentalists, vocalists ( lead and backing), some who can do both or some who can do it all, a combination of these is what makes a successful band, a critically successful band.

Queen, one of the most critically and commercially successful bands in the world, who stole my heart years ago have a great story. The band is made up of -

• Freddie Mercury (Lead vocals, rhythm guitar and piano) – His unmatched vocals, style and flaming personality exemplifies why he is the front man of the band.
• Brian May – Completely unrelated but he is an Astrophysicist and wait for it (if you don’t already know)… built his own guitar, the Red Special with his father. A man of science who rocks, need I say more?!
• Roger Taylor, the rebel, an exceptional drummer and well, I have to say this, he’d make a cute cross dresser if he was one (refer to the ‘I want to break free’ video)
• John Deacon, the humility flows (What is it with me and encountering humble Bassists?)

This was a band which achieved success because of their unique style. Up until Freddie’s last day, they stuck it out and worked together, making music till the end. Their story after his death is one for another day.

They were all masters in their fields and wrote beautiful music. They exuded what I call ‘Chemistry’. They had great group dynamics where there was room for all of them to contribute. Freddie was the front man alright, but he never portrayed himself as the leader. Brian May and Roger Taylor were strong willed individuals who had their say wherever necessary. John Deacon, soft spoken and quiet always knew he could turn to Freddie for support (note that he was the most affected by Freddie’s death). The relation that they built through the years was definitely what I call – successful.

In conclusion (not really), vocal groups don’t work because good vocalists just do not seem to want to work together for long periods of time. Rock bands seem to have stuck it out better. Queen is one example, more next time.

This post to me seems rather inconclusive so it will be the first of many (hopefully) to come in the future, till I find an answer. Once again, this is one girl’s opinion. Please feel free to critique it in anyway you see fit. If you think I have got it wrong, I’d like to know. It’s a learning experience.

Also, what do you think makes a band/musical group successful?

My first time with Raghu

The Raghu Dixit Project played at the MSRIT grounds yesterday for the VTU festival. An in-house college band called Jekyll and Hyde, a rock back with hints of eccentricity thrown in every now and again, and not in a good way, Jekyll and Hyde had the crowd until they started, opened for them.

The audience, students from the various blocks of M S Ramaiah College were placed in the grounds according to gender, which in this situation I condone. From where I stood, I could hear the crowd going crazy for Jekyll and Hyde while they were doing their sound check. To me they looked like any other college band living it high on home grounds, but I had an open mind.

The girls were especially excited and I can see why! The frontman Ananth Sharma was not too hard on the eyes. The mystery was exciting, but after he started he lost me, and some of the crowd. He had vocals that seemed like a pig just had a hot iron rod pierced into his anus.

The lead guitarist was enjoying himself, and I mean REALLY enjoying himself wobbling around the stage like jell-o. For a second there I was afraid his head would break off his head with momentum enough to reach the girls section of the audience (don’t even get me started on this). Despite everything, his energy was intoxicating, sort of.

The bassist was stuck in one corner while all the light shone on the lead singer and guitarist. That did not seem to bother him though. The drummer was not half bad, but definitely not memorable.

The sound of a band beats all other elements like looks, clothes etc., but when your sound has not style, rhythm or melody, then you take a step back and examine your place in the industry. They had weak, if not bad vocals, a bassist in the shadows (something I will never support), and original compositions that I have forgotten already.

At the end of the day, the only thing I remember about them is the strangely adorable headbanging of the lead guitarist.

When the members of The Raghu Dixit Project (TRDP here on forth), Mr Dixit himself made and entrance, walked the small ramp in from of him and took a bow. Talk about a one man show.

Exceptional vocals (lead), with no backing on an of the songs, a noticeable lead guitarist who had his shining moments through the show, a flautist that could make Robins dance to his tunes, a drummer who knew what he was doing and a humble rocker bassist. They also introduced a brand new violinist who I could tell was there when I listened carefully. TRDP produces exceptional music, but you don’t really need me to claim that.

They have a South Indian Rock feel, with elements of Carnatic and Folk, to them. They are a band to watch out for, for many years to come, but then again, everybody already knows that.

What I appreciate in a band like TRDP is they make an effort in presentation, unlike various up and coming bands today including ‘Jekyll and Hyde’. They have great style, sometimes contrasting but work very well together.

However, when I looked closely, what i saw was a slight lack of Chemistry. Sometimes I got the feeling that is was all about what Raghu wanted. But if you know the Project by reputation, then you probably know not to expect anything different. As I examine it, I got what I went for “The Raghu Dixit Project.“

DISCLAIMER – This is one girl’s opinion. Please feel free to critique it in anyway you see fit. If you think I have got it wrong, I’d like to know. it’s a learning experience.

Although I love my work and what I do, I also love taking time off to do my own thing. Sometimes, it is to wake up early and explore the area where I live. Since I move very often, I always have places to explore. On Sunday, January 29, 2012 I found these abandoned pillars near where I currently live. It was a huge piece of land, with these incomplete structures in one corner.

Global Citizenship – Youth for Peace

The world is changing faster than we can perceive. Development in Science and Technology plays an important role in that change. The world is shrinking. Through the internet we are able communicate with people from around the world and exchange ideas such that national borders are becoming redundant. With the advent of a global economy, nations become more interdependent, opening doors to new ideas and new ways of thinking.

Over the past few decades the interconnection of our problems has become evident. Therefore we must understand that every action we take plays its role, however small, in bringing about a global impact. Tackling global issues are effective when action is taken at the primary, local or grassroots level. Conversely, when acting locally, we have to think about the global impact of that action. Because of globalization, people today are not just associated with one country or culture; rather they prefer to be inhabitants of a global community.

This thought or notion gives rise to the idea of Global Citizenship. Quoting Franklin D. Roosevelt, who said in his inaugural address in 1945, “We have learned that we cannot live alone, at peace; that our own well-being is dependent on the well-being of other nations far away. We have learned that we must live as men, not as ostriches, nor as dogs in a manger. We have learned to be citizens of the world, members of the human community,” while talking about the lessons of war, after being elected as the President of the United States of America.

In India, China, Nigeria and Indonesia which contribute most to population growth, except for China, a large percentage of the population in these countries is represented by the youth. And these youth can be an asset to the nation if there is provision for sustainable educational and economic activities. Otherwise, this growth can lead to unemployment, creation of slums, public housing complexes going bad, environmental and economic stresses and under the influence of their surroundings, the youth can ultimately be seen as players in civil conflict. This is still seen in the scores of child armies in Africa being armed, drugged and trained to use violence as a means of change.

The United Nations declared 2010 as the “International Year of Youth – Dialogue and Mutual Understanding” which coincided with the 25^th anniversary of the first International Youth Year of 1985. “Youth should be given a chance to take an active part in the decision-making of local, national and global levels” says United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Having seen the need for youth to be recognized as leaders of today and the importance of their interaction with leaders of all generations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon has initiated a number of activities that involve active youth participation. The International Day of Peace 2010 was observed with “Youth for Peace and Development” as its theme.

People are most impressionable when they are young. What influences them in their youth remains with them and defines the adult that they eventually grow into. The youth of today have opportunities to travel and learn about new people, cultures and attitudes, study about old and new economies, about history, science and the social sciences, giving them sometimes angled views of the triumphs and failures of mankind. However, the Indian education system at the primary level fails to properly educate its students about Fundamental Human Rights which is an important tool in achieving peace.

The youth of today have extraordinary access to network with their counterparts around the world. Making use of electronic social media, social networking sites, conducting campaigns and parades in their local communities, schools and colleges, the youth have an opportunity to influence other youth to empower themselves and bring about a positive change, where striving for a peaceful and harmonious society is one of them. Taking into consideration the growth of the youth population, actions such as these could substantially influence the people.

There are many other reasons why the youth choose to become more active in this pursuit. One, many of them do not share the conformities of society. Two, they still believe in a world that can embrace individuality and liberty. Three, they’re idealists who believe in change.

With Global Citizenship and Youth come Sustainable Development and Environmental Stability which are key issues that must be addressed in order to achieve Peace. Development is important in order to provide jobs and eradicate unemployment which in turn diminishes various other causes of poverty and unrest. Problems like climate change, non – availability of drinking water, depletion of our forests and natural resources need the commitment of the youth. In many ways, the role that needs to be played by the youth of today in fostering peace is more important than any other preceding era.

We are a generation that will inherit the arming codes of the biggest stock-pile of nuclear weapons in history, we are a generation that will have to consider the unprecedented levels of starvation, further, and it is our generation that must seek a solution to the problems of ethnic violence and other civil conflicts. And all this, at a point in time when the world has never held as many people as it does now.

Today, our whole culture is dominated by what the youth think, wear and do. Based on the above stated factors such as population growth, access to technology and most importantly, their local and international cultural influences, one can conclude that the youth of today have a responsibility that must be taken seriously by the youth themselves, as well as people from all other generations. Taking advantage of their ability to keep up with the changing times in terms of technology and attitudes, the concept of “Global Citizenship: Youth for Peace” can be realized.

(Acknowledgement – input from AK, thanks man)

I saw man

I wondered, wondered why you were standing there, staring and pointing at me. I see your offspring and remember mine, Mehitabel, Kashi and Tish, who were taken away from me just when I was teaching them the skills of life. I cry out for them, like i’ve done for so long now, but they don’t come. You start flashing your camaras at me and laughing, seemingly delighted by my call. If only you knew the pain behind it, you would know it’s no fun at all.

One summer day, late in the afternoon, while my babies Mehitabel, Kashi, Tish and I were in deep slumber under the cool, misty trees of our homeland, away from the scorching sun, I heard something in my sleep. The sound was foreign so I got up to look around. We use our eyes and ears more than our sense of smell, so I couldn’t really tell what was going on, as whatever it was out there was guarding itself well. Just then my babies started crying, a very bad time for them to want me to nurse, but I still don’t know if that’s what they were calling at me for.

Before I knew it, for the first time in my life, I saw man, standing there, bearing his teeth, he seemed pleased but I really couldn’t tell. With my children behind me, I started moving back and that’s when I saw a dark shining object in his hand. Apprehension crept all over me, down to the tip of my tail that the feline and motherly instincts in me, urged me to attack to protect my children from this unknown creature and that unknow object. I hissed and jumped, aiming for his neck. But I heard a deafening sound and everything went black.

Eye Movement

October 13, 2007

I wake up every morning when it’s still dark. I go out side and sometimes I can see the moon and the stars, sometimes the sky is covered with mighty clouds. As it gets brighter it begins to get foggy and the visibility, although not nil, is poor. As I stand outside, take a deep breath of fresh air and look around, I begin to realise how beautiful my surrounding still is, with ancient houses on one side to kids playing with goats and sheep on the other.

My being where I am today is beyond luck. It’s a blessing. One which I am thankful for and always will be. I love being free and the having the freedom to do whatever I want and go where ever I want with only certain restrictions. Life teaches us lessons in different ways and I learned one, one that no destitute home or home for the aged ever taught me.

I got to visit the Central Prison, thanks to my Aunt D, today. It was an inspiring and educating experience which brings to light the pleasures of my life that not everyone on Earth enjoys. The injustice that most of these people are put through broke my heart and makes me thank God for eveything I have and don’t have.

We were allowed in the woman’s section which housed 85 women. A beautiful garden at the entrance, taken care of by the inmates, takes up about one third of the space alloted for the women. Then comes around 7 cells, each not much bigger than your average master bedroom, surrounding a small garden, housing about 13 women who sleep side by side on their ‘charpai’.

These women are there for various crimes like murders, dowry harrassment and prostitution. But according to the former Deputy Superintendent, 80% of the convicts are innocent. So if this is known openly, why are they there? Simple, our justice system always rules in favour of the rich, powerful and influential who would do anything to stay away from that miserable place.

One particular story of a 24-year-old girl with a baby who just turned 1-year on the 13th, got to me. Hers is one of the common stories that we hear every now and again. Being the second wife of the man she married, not knowing so, caused his first wife to commit suicide. I still do not know why she got convicted but one thing is for sure, the boy’s family did whatever the hell they could to keep him out. Why she is worse off than the others there is because the baby, who she feeds and lives for, lives right there in prison with her.

What is their fate? Is this fair? Is corruption taking over us? What are we doing about it?

WHY?

Maybe we’re crazy, probably.

Tonight’s going to be a late one. I’m having a Gnarls Barkley night.

This song is profound. It’s important and beautiful.

I only just understood the meaning of this song.

It wasn’t because I didn’t know enough,

Just knew too much.

The Echo makes one feel the emptiness of the life that Cee Lo is talking about.

Think twice, it’s my only advice.

Although the original version of the song is still my favourite,

this version has taken over my night.

I think you’re crazy, just like me.

It makes me miss my past.

The best days of my life have passed.

I will no longer find people who will understand me

how my brother Tapas and our friend Dumb did.

But maybe I’m crazy.

Those were days and nights of a perpetual high.

A high that never stopped.

A high that remained because of the people around,

the laughter we shared and the food we ate.

Does that make me crazy? Possibly

I sit here wishing those days never ended.

But I remember sitting there,

when those days existed,

wishing that my life before that never ended.

I am never going to be satisfied with what life has given me.

Until those moments pass.

There’s something so pleasant about that place. 

I’m afraid that the more I think about this life, the shorter it gets.

I think about everything I hold precious,

I think about how I’m going to lose it all one day.

No matter how much I think I’m preparing myself for the inevitable,

how I handle it when it happens…

Wait and see.

I feel naked.

 

 

Dear Vishnu

There was once a time when I loved you more than I loved myself.

Even though we managed to work through so many obstacles through the years, this time it’s over for real. I have never been able to completely let go, and when I discovered that you finally did, I realized how unfair I’ve been and I wanted to say sorry.  Not a week goes by where I don’t wish I was attracted to you and we could spend the rest of our lives together.

The last few weeks of utter silence have been one of the longer periods of time we haven’t spoken to each other. Soon it will be the longest. At first it drove me mad. To think that you were not answering my calls or text messages was something unheard of. But then I understand that it’s the only healthy thing to do in a situation like ours.

I believe that a lot of what I am today is because of my brother and you. You two were my biggest inspirations. I wanted to do whatever you were doing.

Still, I was my own person. I know that I was a free thinker. I always wanted to help change the world. Even though I’m not quite there yet, to have gotten this far, is to a large extent because of you. You taught me that it’s important to learn the in and out of a topic before speaking about it. You taught me to go out there and do something with my life other than what my classes teach me. You taught me that if I want to do something, I should go out there and do it.

You are the most unselfish, unspoiled and sensible rich kid that I have known. You are considerate and sweet and will go out of your way to help your friends. I took advantage of this and look where it’s got me.

I want to tell you that I am sorry, for how I treated you. I will always love you, but not in the same way that I used to. I hope we talk soon. But it is okay if we don’t.

Finally I want to say thank you. You were always there for me, even when you were not.

Love.

Musique

Music and food are two of God’s greatest gifts to the humankind. There is a song and a food for every emotion.

I am stuck obsessing about the music from the last generation. I sometimes wish I was born to witness the 60s and 70s, their lifestyle and music. But I am ever so grateful for being born to this generation because of the advent of the internet and the ease of access to music from all around the world, from all generations, with videos and interviews and pictures etc etc. There is so much to learn about the music world, and the internet takes good care of that craving.

Youtube is especially revered in my books because it allows people to share the music they have and hold dear. And as it so happens, people from half way around the world get to look at those videos and listen to the music and sometimes it brings back the dearest of memories from the past.

My brother Tapas Tu recently introduced me to my new favourite song – Suzanne by Leonard Cohen. My new found love for the song and artist is going to launch this unstoppable search for the life of Leonard Cohen.

In one of the videos of this song on you tube, one person commented, “Angels must have whispered this song to him.”

What the world is missing now!