Blown away

The familiar strains of Mohammad Rafis Pukarta Chala Hoon Main filter through the partially open door of an apartment.

Written by Pooja Pillai

February 10, 2010 12:40 AM IST

4 min read

The familiar strains of Mohammad Rafis Pukarta Chala Hoon Main filter through the partially open door of an apartment. The only difference is that instead of Rafis voice,we hear the song being expertly whistled. Six members of the Indian Whistlers Association (IWA) have gathered together to prepare for their upcoming concert on February 14. They go on to render more Rafi hitsGulabi Aankhein,Bar Bar Dekho and Madhuban Mein Radhika. The theme this time is Rafi, member of IWA,and our host for the evening,Manoj Karam,explains. We always set a theme for our concerts. Last time it was Kishore Kumar. The theme seems entirely appropriate for a concert on St Valentines Dayafter all,Rafi did provide the playback vocals for two of Indian cinemas most popular lover boys,Rajesh Khanna and Shammi Kapoor.

As we listen to the men discussing the technicalities of the performance,it comes as a surprise that whistlingan act usually associated with eve teasingcan become such a serious art form as to create its own jargon. Karam explains that it is one of their missions to disassociate the act of whistling from its cruder implications. We certainly dont wolf whistle, Karam jokes.

There are in and out whistlers you have to learn how to breathe properly if youre going to be whistling. The commonest form is pucker whistling,where you purse your lips. A few whistle through their teeth. Theyre known as smiling whistlers. One of the groups smiling whistlers,Farooque Baig,demonstrates his technique,to our disbelief. Its a little hard to imagine that the perfectly timed rendition of Pukarta Chala Hoon Main is coming from behind that grinning mouth.

For a group formed only six years ago,the IWA has grown phenomenally. From a handful of enthusiasts to over 400 members,the expansion of the group proves that whistling is a passion like any other,with the group even performing on television,in

Indias Got Talent and Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega. I dont even remember how long Ive been whistling. All I can say is that when I read that such a group existed,I was so excited to find this platform that Id joined the IWA within one hour. reveals Karam. The others present have similar stories. Uday Shirur too read a media report about the group,while Sharad Karnad had found it courtesy Google. Others,like Ajit Abhyankar,Anil Shinde and Shashank Inamdar found out through word of mouth.

Wed always been bathroom whistlers and had to be content with performing at the occasional family function, says Abhayankar,Now we regularly perform at concerts and if theres no performance in the offing,then we hold internal competitions.

The upcoming concert will see six whistlers and two vocalists on stage. Were trying something different this time, says Karnad,instead of whistling the vocals,well be whistling the music. This is quite unsual since most people instinctively tend to whistle the vocalists portions of the song. And as usual,theyll perform audience requests and will get the crowd to sing along. Thats how we all have fun.

IWA performs at Kala Ghoda on February 14 at 3 pm