Singing to a different tune
K. PRADEEP
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Thomas Easaw is a singer with a desire to make a difference to the world.
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PEACE RAGAS: Thomas Easaw. Photo: Mahesh Harilal
If something has to be changed in this world, it can be done only through music. It may appear to be a sort of a dream, but it is true that one good song can make an impression on people than perhaps a thousand rallies. And this belief prompts Thomas Easaw to write songs and sing them.
Engineer and singer
"For me, causes are more important, the person who sings is not. I believe that if one has the words, the tune, and the voice, it becomes a social responsibility to share your music," explains Easaw, a qualified engineer, who manages his own company, Thomas Easaw Ltd.
`Don't Start The Last World War,' is Easaw's first album. The eight songs are not just tunes or words for this musician; they are the crux of his philosophy. "It's a philosophy which was formulated a few years ago. After several discussions and debates , I thought it was time to tell the world about it. From time immemorial man has been in pursuit of things such as food, clothing, shelter, security, and love. This when he actually should have pursued justice. Justice and not freedom should have been a man's birthright, for my freedom ends when your freedom begins. "
Easaw attempts to mobilise what he calls a `one-man peace and justice movement' through music, which according to him is the most effective medium. All theyears Easaw was around, he was largely unnoticed. And singing was a dream, until now. However he pursued that dream, believing that, to dream one did not need skills, talent or capabilities just the `dare-devilry to dream.' He began writing songs while still at school, his first song was a tribute to his dead brother. "I think I derived the courage to go on this journey from the opposition around. It was with a belief that my songs would never be compared and it was never done too." And his songs are unique and such that nobody has attempted before.
He was also part of his school singing group, "I was picked to be part of the school singing group, this was at Don Bosco, Irinjalakuda. During one of the rehearsals I let my mind wander and was caught for not concentrating. The headmaster called me to his room and told me that I had been given a chance to sing but I did not take take it seriously. I told him that he could throw me out of the group but should give me an opportunity to form a group of my own. He did and after convincing my friends that it was not rebelling against the headmaster, I formed a three-band group. Though we did not win laurels, we surely got a few pats on our backs."
Soul-stirring lyrics
Easaw kept writing, tuning and singing songs till he decided to compile a few of them into an album. This album stands out in many ways. The philosophical, soul-stirring lyrics, the refreshing music and Easaw's deep voice' make listening to the album a fascinating experience. There is a video of the songs as well.
"Getting a recording company to sign me up was so difficult. Strangely enough, the reason was not the quality but the content. No one was prepared to take it because they felt the lyrics of some of the songs such as `Request,' the anti-war one, `The Lawyer' and `The Judge' were dangerous."
Opposition to songs with an anti-war message is quite common. But here, in the opening song, it is just an appeal to the sincere American to avert the last world war. "What was originally written as a request was, surprisingly, perceived as a threat.
Almost every recording company in India and the U.S. refused my songs. This despite plenty of downloads after it was put on the net. Finally I decided to bring it out on my own."
His wife, Dr. Shirley has done the album'scover and the booklet, while his twin daughters Rebecca and Rachel, have done the painting on the cover and also starred in the video. The mixing and mastering of the same was done in a small facility at home." Easaw has now signed up with Planet M to market his album.
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