Band Apart

Even if the likes of Bendang and other Kolkata based rockers do make it to the final rounds of such TV talent shows,how will they fare against the bands from cities like Mumbai,Delhi and Bangalore? “The Kolkata music scene is very potent. Bands here really know their music. So much so that they don’t care about anything much,not even their image,” says Arka Das of Five Little Indians who also happens to be a well-known music columnist.

Neil Adhikari of Span and Five Little Indians has some interesting observations. “We are very serious about our music,but it’s also true that we need to be more focussed. Today,rock is no longer a genre; it’s a mega-genre. Performers here need to experiment with sounds and discover their own unique one,” says Neil. Arka Das agrees. “Rock is also about performance and showmanship.A greater exposure is definitely needed,so that these bands gain the confidence to take the stage with élan. If you know that you are doing something new and exciting,your confidence level pumps up and it shows,” he says.

Ritoban Das of Cassini’s Division (which participated in Channel V’s talent show Launchpad last year) is skeptical. “The truth is that the music scene in Kolkata is changing every moment. The new bands are more experimental both with their sound and their look. They know how to play to their galleries and have everything worked out,” he says. But that doesn’t necessarily translate into success in such shows. “If you ask me,these shows are about everything but music. They don’t care how talented Kolkata musicians are. All they need is drama to ensure that their TRP ratings soar,” he sums up.