What’s the rave about?

Tripping on music and booze isn't unlawful but when drugs like LSD, Ecstasy and ketamine enter the scene, the party gets murky, say DJs and revellers

Tripping on music and booze isn't unlawful but when drugs like LSD, Ecstasy and ketamine enter the scene, the party gets murky, say DJs and revellersu00a0

A rave (or rave party) is a term used to describe dance parties, often all-night events, with fast-paced electronic music. At these parties DJs play electronica, trance, and techno, with the accompaniment of laser light shows and projected images. The idea was originally just to get together and have a good time, but it soon got demonised as dark and scary ecstasy parties due to the use of drugs.u00a0u00a0

"I had been to a trance party around 10 years ago in Goa. There is a difference between psychedelic trance and techno. Psychedelic trance is more a visual form with the music, where lasers are used for the special visual effects, which goes with the tempo of music. Raves, from the time they began, have been associated with drugs. These parties are especially for people who are into hard drugs like LSD and Ecstasy. These substances are called uppers. They make people happy and energetic. The music must match their energy levels, so it has to be rhythmic and loud. Uppers like Ecstasy tend to dehydrate the person. So he/she consumes large amounts of alcohol. You won't find a heroin addict in these parties, because drugs like heroin are downers, where the person feels dull and want to sit quietly in a corner. Rave parties generally go from dusk to dawn," says Chris Avinash, music producer and director of entertainment at Kyra, a performing arts centre.u00a0u00a0u00a0
DJ Ivan says, "Rave parties are those that play psychedelic trance music. It's mainly music from the late 80s and early '90s. These parties go on for hours together, mostly spilling into the wee hours of the morning. They are never advertised but are kept a secret, and invites are either sent out through sms or websites. Rave parties have very loud music that's monotonous. Powerful sound systems playing blaring music in open, marshy areas constitute a rave. I'm not into rave or trance. I'm a complete house music person. But I think the whole thing has been blown out of proportion. Drugs can happen anywhere. They can even happen at rock or jazz shows."u00a0u00a0

Rohit Barker, RJ, MC and DJ, says, "A rave party has been completely misunderstood. It's like how the word 'dance bars' has been misconstrued. Rave is a certain kind of party, where you play trance music. I live in one of the fastest growing cities in India, but I'm not able to dance with my wife Pashmina in a decent nightclub! Because of such a oppressive culture, youngsters are forced to move from safe environs to the outskirts to have a little fun."u00a0u00a0

DJ Sasha explains, "A rave party is an all night affair. Yes, it includes drugs and has trance music. It's not my kind of scene. But I can't believe that to party beyond midnight is illegal! All all-night parties are not rave parties. If someone wants to have fun, the only option is to invite friends over and have a good time with music and liquor. That's not a rave!"

Raves, from the time they began, have been associated with drugs. These parties are especially for people who are into hard drugs like LSD and Ecstasy
Chris Avinash, music producer and director of entertainment at Kyra, a performing arts centre

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