Hammarsing Kharmar on his musical journey, and performing at Lollapalooza

(From left) Riyaka Jani (his wife), Hammarsing Kharmar, Julian Casablancas, Albert Hammond Jr and Gus Oberg, The Strokes’ sound engineer and producer at Bombay Canteen before their show at Lollapalooza on January 29

When The Strokes invited a guest musician to take the stage with them at Lollapalooza in January, this writer expected it to be an international one. To everyone's pleasant surprise it was Shillong-based Hammarsing Kharmar, whom lead singer Julian Casablancas introduced as "one of the best soccer players". Just like most people in the audience, we wondered "Who is Hammarsing Kharmar?"

Kharmar studied Economics at St Stephen's College in Delhi before heading to Boston to study music at the Berklee College of Music and moving to New York. At the Big Apple, he started a band called Mon Khmer, as well as solo project, Exhibition, whose song, No One There, featured Casablancas. This was what he played at Lollapalooza.

Hammarsing Kharmar

How Albert Hammond Jr, Strokes's guitarist, got in touch with Kharmar is an "interesting story" says Kharmar over a video interview from his hometown. "I had just moved to New York [in around 2007] and was working at a hip Chinese restaurant in Williamsburg and my phone rang a couple of times," he says, "but I couldn't answer it. Later, I saw a message saying that this was Albert from The Strokes, asking me to call him." Kharmar thought it was a joke, but called nonetheless. It was indeed Hammond Jr who had got Kharmar's number from his cousin. He e-mailed Kharmar a few songs, and asked him to come to a studio in Times Square for an audition. Kharmar went, still thinking this was an elaborate joke, until Hammond Jr walked in.

"I was lucky to be on Albert's band that opened for Coldplay for the Viva la Vida tour," says the 42-year-old composer and guitarist. "We stayed in touch, and I was always part of his band."

While Kharmar and the Casablancas were friends already, their bond deepened in 2015 when Hammond Jr's solo band and The Strokes were playing Primavera Sound, an annual music festival in Barcelona. "We were trying to find a place to play soccer," says the Khasi tribesman, "the local kids made fun of us, but we beat them and Julian was very happy. Our friendship developed even more and I began playing him my music."

His home town, Shillong, plays a huge role in his introduction to music. "When I was growing up, everyone played the guitar and was into rock-n-roll," he says. "My dad was a very good singer and guitarist, and he taught me." Kharmar is now back Shillong to focus on indigenous cultural activities.

"Rock-n-roll was in New York," he says, "back home, I am more involved in reviving Khasi culture, and keeping traditions alive." His focus is also on his new restaurant, Rynsang. "It's the same approach as to music," he says. "It's local Khasi food to give tourists a taste of the culture's essence."

Back to the show at Lollapalooza, after missing many messages from Casablanca, Hammond Jr was able to reach Kharmar; they rehearsed for two hours before the show. "I had a bad cough so I was scared but I wasn't too nervous because India is my hometown," he concludes.