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Magical symphonies

MELODIOUS Indian Ocean enthralled the audience

Music expresses the inexpressible. As the city reeled under scorching weather, noted music bands Indian Ocean and East India Company exhilarated the parched souls with some soothing music. Organised at the DLF Promenade in Vasant Kunj, the concert saw a huge gathering relishing some soulful and vibrant renditions.

The concert was kicked off by the East India Company, which is famous for infusing funky and jazz elements into traditional folk songs and rendering them in a contemporary avatar. The first number performed was based on one of Mirza Ghalib’s poems “Khuda Na Hota”. It was followed by groovy yet soulful versions of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s “Tere Bin Nahi Lagta” and “Dama Dam Mast Kalandar”.

The band did not ignore the weather and presented an electrified version of an Assamese folk song “Papon” that is sung by boatmen in Assam for rains. The band wound up with lead vocalist Sharad singing the Bihu song, which is traditionally the song of springtime in the Northeast, much to the enjoyment of the crowd.

The audience cheered as the band members of Indian Ocean stepped on the stage. The fusion band enthralled the gathering with some of their numbers, old and new. They started the show with the much coveted “Bandey”, which is a soulful number with intelligent lyrics and entrancing guitar and percussion.

The band then presented “Jhini”, which carries Sufi elements in its infectious composition.

Then they went on to perform a hitherto unheard song, “Tum Abhi Se Dartey Ho”, adapted from the Pakistani poet M.M. Rashid’s poem and has been sung by the band for a movie by Aamir Khan Productions.

Asheem Chakravorty, percussionist and vocalist of Indian Ocean, said, “A lot of people think that we are an issue-based band. It’s wrong. We just sing because we feel for the issues and not because we want to change people. Nobody has ever been able to change the world.” He added, “It’s good that Indians are getting attached to their roots.”

The band felt that the rock scenario is evolving in the city and that they really enjoy performing here. Asheem maintained, “Our band has a lot of spiritual elements. People like us because we are spiritual and not religious.”

Soon afterwards, the impressive vocals and vibrant melody of “Maa Rewa” echoed in one’s mind. The song is about the river Narmada and is influenced by folklore. The band has been involved with the Narmada Bachao Andolan through its music. Rahul Ram, bassist and lead vocalist, went into an enjoyable ‘jugalbandi’ with Amit Kilam, the drummer. Ram played the bass guitar while Amit matched him with his gub gubi. The concert ended with “Kandisa”, a soothing prayer in Aramaic language.

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