Music Mantra

Seeing city’s Dr Rupak Das perform Jimi Hendrix’s Voodoo Child on stage complete with electronic guitar riffs,the drum beats and clash of cymbals,another grand idea sparked off in music director Anand Sharma’s head. “Why not have a show for musicians above 40,” by now,we believe he’s already got the first draft ready for it! That said,we yank him back to what we came for: to cover the auditions of Idea Rocks India 4,which will be showcased on Colors channel for the first time. “The ‘rocks’ part is a bit misleading though,” he’s been hearing rock bands from the city since morning while the team’s on the lookout for hardcore Hindi band,one which will fit in the mainstream commerical Hindi cinema jacket. “After all,it’s the baap of all bands contest,and we’ll finalise nine,” they’ve started with Chandigarh first. Why Hindi mainstream? “Because like fashion,bollywood sets the trends for music too” says the music director who has been grooming contestants for Tv shows like Zee’s Antakshari,Saregama,Saregama Little Champ,Voice of India,Antakshri for Star Plus,Sony’s Waar Pariwaar,NDTV’s Junoon,9X’s Chak De Bachhe,VOI Chhote Ustaad et al. Gajendra Singh’s best buddy,Sharma at first found the idea of havng an Antakshri on telly absurd. “But we did it anyway,” he smiles. Interestingly,when one of the best Anatakshri singers lost,Sharma and Gajendra thought why not have a singing talent show. “And so came Saregama,” Anand continued with the journey,and feels that to sustain,one needs to give up the stage shows and concentrate on rehearsals and studio work. But haven’t we had enough of singers? “There’s nothing called enough for there are too many musicians in India. This country has everything that’s fine and artistic,” he smiles softly.

From a classically tuned family – it’s a genetic disorder,he laughs,Anand feels once you know the language of music,you can compose,sing anything. “A lot of teenagers walking in here today are making noise not music. Understand the art,then whack your guitar,” he suggests. In any case,the instrument doesn’t come naturally to Indians,for us,it’s the harmonium and tabla,he adds. For Anand,if you have a sense of music,of fine art,you can pick up the strings any time. Age has nothing to do with it. It usually doesn’t…