Music behind bars has Tihar inmates dancing the evening away

“Initially,we were only planning to do a show at Tihar Jail but when we found out about Flying Souls,we decided to take it a step ahead. We had no idea there was this kind of talent here and it was a very novel experience for us and the inmates,” said I P Singh,guitarist of Menwhopause.

The Delhi band consists of Randeep Singh,Sarabjit Singh Chadha,Anup Kutty and Nikhil Vasudevan apart from I P Singh.

Some of the band members have been in prison for close to nine years,while others came just for a few months — but the energy and enthusiasm about their first big performance binds them. “I’ve been here for three months and twelve days. What is my name is my own composition and I am glad it’s been liked so much. This is just the beginning,” says an excited Michael.

The band comprises Amit Saxena,Amit Jha and Vikramjit on vocals,Bhagirath on drums,Sunny on Congo,Dinesh on guitars,Harnaam on tabla,Chandrashekhar Sharma on keyboards and Sandeep aka Guddu as the band manager. The performance lasted more than 90 minutes.

A rock version of Badan pe sitarein lapate huye dedicated to Shammi Kapoor,Dard-e dil ,Aye Sajni and Baawra Mann and Enrique’s Hero were performed together by Menwhopause and Flying Souls. Flying Soul’s self-composition Hey Ram with soulful lyrics on forgiveness and belief in God,and Menwhopause’s popular number Fly Away were also part of the concert.

“It was a novel jamming experience and we hope more Indie bands come here and listen to the music behind the bars. We are planning to come here regularly as this experience has changed our lives,” said Anup Kutty.