Rock band Hourglass performs this Friday, followed by the All India Sufi and Mystic Music Festival on Saturday. Debarati Palit chatted up musicians from the two diverse music schools
Rock band Hourglass performs this Friday, followed by the All India Sufi and Mystic Music Festival on Saturday. Debarati Palit chatted up musicians from the two diverse music schools
Head bang with Hourglass
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Expect loads of moshing this Friday, as city-based rock band, Hourglass will be performing live after their participation in Channel [V]'s Launch Pad reality show. The five-member band includes Nikhil on vocals, Tanmay on bass, Himanshu on drums, Amit, who is the lead guitarist, and Sagnik, who plays the rhythm guitar. Apart from being musicians, they are also IT professionals!
We are going to play lots of covers as well as originals. We plan to experiment with the covers and play genres like alternative, classic rock and metal. We have composed a few new originals, which we performed at the Channel V Launch Pad gig. Since we are playing in Pune for the first time, we can't wait to see the response of the audience.
How was the experience of taking part in Channel [V] Launch Pad?
Nikhil: The programme showcases upcoming talent on TV. We had sent in our profile and were the only band in the city that got selected for the top 15. Unfortunately, we could not make it to the top 7. But we are not upset because it's a huge achievement to reach the Top 20 itself, especially, since we are all working professionals and hardly get time to practise regularly.u00a0u00a0
How has the rock music scene changed over time in Pune?
Nikhil: Rock music was always there in the city, but the recognition was missing. Thankfully, because bands like Silver and Root Force won major titles, more people have started noticing as well as accepting new talent.u00a0
Do you plan to break out as a full-fledged band?
Nikhil: That's a question every musician is asked. The idea is to grow with the music, but sustainability is the main problem. The biggest challenge is making good quality music, when there is nobody to sponsor you and you end up spending from your own pocket.
At: Curve, ABC Farms, Koregaon Park.
On: February 13, 8 pm onwards.
Call: 9657388143 / 9823047278
Entrance: By reservation only
Praise the lord this Saturday
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Shameem and Nayeem Ajmeri performing the Sufi Qawwali last year |
Sufi Qawwali by Ajmeri Brothers
Tell us more about the performance.
Shameem: At Ruhaniyat, we will praise the lord and read out Nazsarif and Sant Nizamuddin's writings. Our poetry will flaunt our love for our beloved.
How has Sufi music grown over the years?
Nayeem: Young people have started taking a lot of interest in it, because of the exposure it has gained today. During one of our shows in Kolkata, the auditorium was full and there was a stampede outside for tickets. Sufi musicians are in the limelight because TV channels have been giving prominence to this genre. Some of our students like Habib Ajmeri from Nagpur and Jamil Warsi from Agra have already gained popularity at a young age.
Sufi is slowly becoming a major part of Bollywood music. What is your opinion on this?
Nayeem: It's good to know that Sufi music is being given such prominence in Bollywood and we don't feel bad about it. What bothers us is that they are destroying the innocence of music. We have learned from elders like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan whose body of work is popular, yet so clean. True music lovers will prefer the music to be clean, without distortions.
Baul songs by Parvati Baul
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Parvati Baul at Ruhaniyatu00a0 |
Parvati: Baul music is about the Indian yogic tradition and is the dance of sanyasis. We mostly pay our respect to our master or beloved through dance and song. When you practise Baul for a long time, you feel something which cannot be described in words. We dance, sing and play the music together and it's the only dance form where all three actions are involved simultaneously.
Does it have a connection with Sufi music?
Parvati: There is no concrete connection between Baul and Sufi, but there are similarities in the poetry of the two. Both express their thoughts freely and are not just in praise of the lord but are eager to be one with the beloved. Its beauty lies in the spiritual quest. Another similarity is that both use sign language.
How would you comment on the growth of Sufi music?
Parvati: I have been a dancer and singer for the last 15 years and have seen Sufi music lovers growing in numbers. But we realise that liking for this genre can often generate from the hype that surrounds it.
How does it feel to perform in the city?
Parvati: I have been performing in the city for many years. I find the Pune audience to be among the best audiences in India. People are mostly from musical families and musicians have settled down here. Awareness about quality music and the sense of spiritually is also strong.u00a0
At: Empress Botanical Garden, near Poona Race Course.
On February 14, from 6.30 pm onwards.
Donor passes are available for Rs 300 at Planet M (MG Road), Pune Central and Landmark (Moledina Road)
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