Rock For Life

As part of the campaign’s first performance,Frozen Chimes is performing at the Broadway Mall in Vasai Sunday evening. The band has been around for six months now,but they have been playing separately since five years. “Since this is the first gig under the initiative that we have launched,there are no other bands performing with us,” says Benazir Sahil,the lead guitarist. But they are unperturbed by the lack of response; they say the word will spread and they will have bands for their next gig that they are planning to perform soon.

The band says it has been a tough task organising the campaign as there are not many sponsors who would back the initiative. For the band,juggling between chasing sponsors,jamming and managing their management studies,has been a challenging task. Benazir says,“It has been difficult to manage an event. Luckily,we got a great sponsor. We hope it’s a long association.”

Members of this “Hinglish progressive rock band” say they face other challenges including the lack of support from parents also. “If a person is passionate enough,he will overcome these challenges. But it’s very tough to convince some parents that we want to pursue an unconventional career option,” says Nihal Anmolik. Nihal has been playing drums since he was nine years old.

The four members of the band,who are pursuing their MBA degree in the city,draw their inspiration from several other Indian bands who are successful abroad. Vocalist and rhythm guitarist Ankit Mishra says,“Bands like Indian Ocean,Parikrama,Indus Creed,and many others have made a mark not just in India but also abroad too. So why can’t we all do it. It a matter of perseverance.”

Frozen Chimes,according to them,is a “secular” band as the members belong to different faiths. Ankit who is also a lyric writer grins,“We are truly secular… it’s a great friendship. And because of this I have written a song on Mumbai as it houses people of all faiths and beliefs. It goes: Ghar mera Bombay tha,yaar mera Mumbai hua,na Bombay hai,na Mumbai hai,whatever we name par ye hai meri jaan.”