tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77400255341741187432023-11-15T22:40:33.827-08:00DIARY OF A JANIACTrespassers Are Welcome! :DHarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-55574034209679529712014-10-07T00:21:00.001-07:002014-10-07T00:32:40.533-07:00Coming Together<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
October 5th 2014 will remain a special night. It'll be remembered for a long long time. And here's why.<br />
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For people that know me, or even people who've read my blog, know how big a fan of motherjane I've been. It's hard to put to words the significance that they have on my life. I wouldn't be doing any of the things that I'm currently doing in the music industry if it weren't for them. Hell, I wouldn't even be listening to other Indian bands if it weren't for them. I've walked around proud for the last few years with nearly everyone forgetting what my real last name was and simply calling me "Hari Amajaniac" instead.<br />
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I'm fortunate enough to have worked in this industry now for three years, in whatever capacity. But my real journey into music started seven years back, with motherjane. I've been truly blessed to have caught 50+ gigs of the band(with the Maktub lineup). And trust me, when I say I'm truly blessed I do realize the weight of those words. And maybe, over the course of this blog I'll be able to explain why.<br />
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I've been able to spend a lot of special moments with them. Birthdays, surprises, big ass college festivals, meeting Opeth in their green rooms because of them, and a whole lot of other stuff. But when they went on stage, I never lingered by the side of the stage. I would paint my face. Ten minutes before they went on, I would always make it a point to run right to the front, from the other side. Touch the barricade. Hold any fan who was right next to me and start screaming along with them.<br />
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"MOTHERJANE MOTHERJANE MOTHERJANE"</div>
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And then the smoke fills the stage, the intro music goes on, and with half painted faces, a few Gods step onto stage for us mere mortals to watch in awe. And Bang, Disillusioned would ring through the PA. The crowd would go wild. We would shout at the top of our lungs and completely lose ourselves for about ninety minutes. This was almost a ritual for me. Almost twice or thrice a month I got to perform this ritual, thanks to how incredibly popular they were. They were at the top. Easily, one of the best Indian bands there has ever been, to be politically correct. But to me, they were THE band. No other band mattered as much to me, Indian or International. And most likely, no other band ever will. </div>
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And then, soon after I caught their acoustic show for the first time ever, Baiju departed from the band. The reasons didn't matter. But I knew it was the beginning of the end of something truly magical. I remember that I was helpless on the day that I heard the news, frantically calling everyone in the band, except Baiju, because I didn't know what I would say to him. I called every fan I knew and asked them to send me letters pleading with Baiju and the band to get back together and uploaded them all(http://amajaniac.tumblr.com/). Of course, it didn't really help. But I was helpless. It honestly felt like I had lost an uncle. A guiding light, if you will. But there wasn't anything that could be said or done to undo what had already been done. I was in mourning. There is no other way to put it. </div>
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The band and Baiju moved on, and I still chose to stand by them. I still traveled for shows and even caught Baiju live with Wrenz, at what I think was the only live gig was their only gig with Baiju. It failed to evoke that same emotion, but I still stood by him. </div>
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Soon, Suraj left too. Citing health reasons. He was back a year later, in his all new avatar as the Tattva Tripper. I was lucky enough to get a job as the tour manager for both, The Baiju Dharmajan Syndicate and Suraj Mani and the Tattva Trippers. I even mixed for the two, on two consecutive days and I remember feeling extremely nervous before the gig, but they both turned out pretty alright nonetheless. </div>
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Everyone moved on. Except the fans, There were always a lot of fans that came to Baiju, during his gigs or workshops and asked about motherjane. The possibility of getting back. Interviews had questions about the same. It was just not quite the same seeing another band perform the same songs, whether the name of the band was motherjane India, or Suraj Mani and the Tattva Trippers or Baiju Dharmajan Syndicate. But, as fans, the least you can do is to stand by the artists, and that is what a lot of us did. Thankfully, my work allowed me to do that a little better and I immersed myself in it, trying hard not to think about the years gone by and everything. </div>
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We got to do some kickass work, made a few excellent collaborations happen, helped Baiju play at huge festivals and at great colleges, and so on. Let the axeman run wild through the country. And it was quite something to watch. </div>
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But as a fan, there was one collaboration that I really wanted to see happen again. It was a collaboration I was quite skeptical about, but it was something that the little janiac in me was dying to see. I wanted to see all these musicians on stage once again. But I always thought that it wouldn't be quite the same. That the spark wouldn't quite be there. </div>
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October 3rd, I got word that Suraj and Baiju have mutually agreed to get on stage together at Sound Awake's Free Wheel Rolling 2. It was an exciting prospect to say the least and I couldn't quite wait for the show. </div>
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Five bands played and then All The Fat Children went on, and there was suddenly a visual in my head, that I had to share. I went to Suraj and said, "Chetta, this reminds me of Autumn Muse, when ATFC opened for you. What a mad show that was. You guys killed it that night." and he played it down and just said, "Yeah, good times". I was quite bummed that he didn't share my excitement but then again, he had his own set to worry about and everything and I let it go. </div>
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Suraj went up on stage next for his set. A peaceful acoustic singer/songwriter set, which is a perfect set for a man like Suraj, in his new avatar. I remember just two things during that set. One was going over to Baiju, embracing him, as I do before each show of his, and saying, "Chetta, I'm just glad I got to be here when this happened". And the second, was when Suraj asked the crowd for requests and some one screamed Broken and he simply said, "I have a feeling you'll hear that tonight". I was giggling and clapping like a little kid, just visualizing what was about to unfold. </div>
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And then, came the Syndicate. And they played an incredibly tight set, and after a few songs in, Baiju signaled me on. I got up on stage, took the mic from Siby, the vocalist, and was quite literally trembling. I had done these introductions before. But none of them meant quite as much to me as this one did. I composed myself and was able to get through announcing Baiju's new crowd funding project for his latest music video, which you guys have hopefully contributed to (http://www.wishberry.in/campaign/kaithola). But as soon as I was through that, and as soon as the magnitude of what was about to happen hit me, I lost my composure. Professionalism flew out the door and I was screaming at the top of my lungs as I announced that "It is my immense fucking pleasure to call this man on stage. Give it up for SUUUUURAJ MANIIIIIIIII". I couldn't help but stick around stage long enough to tell the two how much it meant to me and embrace them together. "My favourite vocalist and my favourite guitarist on the stage together again. Over 2.5 years I've waited for this to happen. I think I just might cry tonight", I could hear myself say.<br />
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Broken was the first on the list, and I wasn't surprised when the crowd was louder than the band. Every word was echoing through the small venue and I remember feeling that exact same emotion that I felt five or six years back when these guys rocked the stage. I was overjoyed not just by the fact that these guys were back on stage again, but that I was able to share it with some of the biggest motherjane fans around, Munz and Ganesh from Down Troddence, Akhil from Heretic, Sangeeth, the organiser, Sachin, one of motherjanes yesteryear managers, and Dhruva, one of my closest friends from school. We went absolutely nuts. Headbanging. Screaming at the top of our lungs. I couldn't believe that this was really happening. I had missed this energy. I had missed this madness. </div>
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They went on to sing Mindstreet and Chasing the Sun too. And Suraj made an extremely kind gesture of asking Siby, Baiju's vocalist, to join him on stage for Chasing the Sun. I remember embracing Suraj one last time on stage. And Suraj and Baiju did the same. That feeling of seeing those two long-lost brothers embrace again, will remain in our hearts for a long time. I remember walking away as soon as Chasing the Sun was done, with Sachin and Sangeeth. And just holding on to Sangeeth and crying my heart out. And I was inconsolable. Not many would understand, but I'm glad these people did. That feeling. I've been asked plenty of times, why motherjane means that much to me. And even how I am so deeply affected by the departure of just a band member. But to us, motherjane means a whole lot more. To bands like the Down Troddence and Heretic, they were the ones who led the way and paved a path for the incredible talent in Kerala. To me, they were the ones who showed me how much I really loved music. They were the ones that made me want to live my life, going from gig to gig helping artist after artist. </div>
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Tears refused to stop flowing. It was an emotional day for us all. Suraj and Baiju were thoroughly professional about it, but didn't mind indulging me whenever I needed some comfort from either. Somewhere in between, Sachin just said that "The worst thing about everything is that good things have to come to an end". And I knew then that the night had ended for us. But it was a feeling that I didn't want to let go.<br />
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But looking back, it was easily one of the best night I've had in a long time. I can't thank Baiju and Suraj enough for making it happen. And who knows, one day maybe I'll get to see all my idols on stage again. </div>
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Hope!</div>
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Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-64595852878466625132014-10-02T03:50:00.003-07:002014-10-02T03:50:34.887-07:00Bidding Adieu<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As far as the past few days go, there's probably been only one major thing on my mind. Leaving a job that I held for the past two years. Now, I don't say job in the conventional sense. Since October 2012, I've been the tour manager for the Baiju Dharmajan Syndicate. And two years since, in October 2014, I've now decided to bid adieu to this role.<br />
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Now the reasons are many fold, and I'm not even going into them. After all, though it may be a real rarity in today's world, privacy is still something that everyone deserves. But as a passionate motherjane fan, I do remember that two years ago when I was asked to be the tour manager of the band, that it was easily one of the best days of my life. Granted, it's not the most glamorous job. But I got to help a man that I adored and really looked up and got to watch every single one of his shows from the best seat in the house, right next to him.<br />
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Now whether I was good at the job or bad at it, I'm not quite sure and it isn't for me to answer either. But I do know that I had a fantastic time all along.<br />
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That first gig at Bflat, the first workshop at Furtados, mixing for Baiju at Opus, the Mindstreet Tour, headlining college festivals, the catastrophic days that we turned into our own little victories, like Pilani and MEC, the Weekender, the GoMAD festival, the college competitions that I was asked to judge, solely because I was the manager, the workshops that he let me mix, letting me plan live collaborations like the ones with The Down Troddence, Bryden, Harish, and Warren. And a hell of a lot more.<br />
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There are a lot of memories that I take back from this journey. And I'm incredibly thankful for all the good times and I'm thankful for the bad ones too because they've helped me learn and helped me grow.<br />
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To all the organizers and sound vendors that I've worked with, I'm sorry if I was harsh, but I only did it to get the job done and bear no ill will whatsoever. Each and every one of you have been exceptionally supportive. It isn't said enough, but you guys are the real champions. Putting in the hard work every day and not even being seen by most crowds.<br />
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To my co-workers at HIJK, the passion you show towards helping our artists is incredible. The goal has always been clear, to help the artists that we've come to adore in whatever small way we can. No matter what our skill set was, HIJK always found a way to make us seem a little valuable.<br />
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To the members of the band(present and past), I do hope that I've served you well. I will definitely continue to help in whatever little way that I can. I can't wait to see you at the next show, it'll be a different view from the other side of the barricade, but it'll still be a good one I'm sure.<br />
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To Baiju Chetta, thank you ever so much for all the opportunities you've given me. I am humbled by the amount of confidence you had in me, both as a manager and a sound engineer. These days have been some of the best days of my life and hopefully one day we'll be able to work together again. In whatever capacity. But I really do hope that you once again reach the heights that you so richly deserve. And I can't wait to see you blaze up that stage again ..<br />
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Cheers!</div>
Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-11689257020341812172014-10-02T03:38:00.001-07:002014-10-02T03:38:24.445-07:00Getting back<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been forever since I took to this page. Quite frankly, I don't even remember the last post I wrote. But a recent realization that I need to be slightly more productive with my life has led me back here. Whether blogging does add any amount of productivity to said life, I have no idea but it's a thought I'd like to pursue and see where it leads me. And as far as whether I'm going to go through with this or drop it half way like most of the other things, I'm not quite sure of that either. But hey it's a start. Let's see where that goes.<br />
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Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-84441213997041287852013-01-24T10:26:00.000-08:002013-01-24T10:27:06.564-08:00Jan 24th 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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17 Years ago, a cultural head came up with a band just to fill in for a professional act that had backed out of his college fest. The band went on to cover a few songs and played their first live gig in a few days.<br />
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In a span of 17 years since then, they have seen the absolute peaks of the Indian Rock Scene to the gory depths. MOTHERJANE. One of India's premier rock acts turned 17 today and it was incredible to talk to John today. For two reasons, though he was extremely proud of the achievement of having survived in an industry as shaky as this one for such a long time, there was a tinge of nervousness. 17 years later, and John, a legend in his own right, at least in my eyes, still has doubts about where it will all go from here. Still challenging themselves to push the boundaries that may exist. It is easy for one to just settle or even call it quits. One might say that Maktub was their best period, and they've struggled post the departure of two of their lead members and that they should have called it quits before facing the crap that they've had to go through. But John and the other members, decided to move on, head held high. Come sunshine or rain.<br />
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It was a bold step indeed. Yes, they've had a few setbacks but to think that these guys have got the courage to move completely away from all previously existent frameworks to create something entirely new is a refreshing thought.<br />
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An entirely beginning after 17 long years. As was indicated by John tonight, there's a tinge of familiarity and a lot of uncertainty. But I know for sure, that irrespective of what happens, what has happened and what is happening right now, they will have my unanimous support forever, in any quest they wish to take up. Cuz these 5 men, and the people who were a part of them in any capacity, have created such a huge impact on me, I can honestly say they have largely shaped the person I am currently. Absolute role models each and every one of them.<br />
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Amajaniac! Will always be one. Cuz there aren't too many who deserve as much respect as this band does. I hope to see them back on the pedestal they once were on. It would be quite incredible.<br />
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Also, one day, Creative differences, personal issues, etc all aside, I would love to see all of these people come together one last time for a jam, orchestrated in heaven. </div>
Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-20071694570323404362013-01-13T09:51:00.001-08:002013-01-13T09:54:29.582-08:00Day 13 - The phenomenon that is SEL Live <p>There has always been a negative outlook towards Bollywood from most metal fans. Which is why Vishal from Penragram takes so much flak. But, I think its quite wrong. Yes, bollywood receives a helluva lot more attention but it doesn't mean that the musicians in that field have had it any easier than other musicians. They've had incredibly long journeys too and hard ones at that and that needs to be appreciated. </p>
<p>Today, I need to show my appreciation to three such musicians. Shankar Ehsaan and Loy. Watched them live at Saarang tonight and they were incredible. They played a set that was close to three hours and Shankar Mahadevan is just a vortex of constant energy.. Right from start to stop, there wasn't a single moment where the energy dropped and that is something that I found to be quite great. </p>
<p>I didn't know most of the songs but that didn't matter one bit. I found myself randomly grooving to various songs and gleefully clapping along to others. Something I haven't really done in a long while. </p>
<p>It wasn't just their energy that was unwavering, the energy of the entire 6000 odd people was at a high for the entire three hours and they were found dancing and partying all set long. This is in fact testament to Shankar Mahadevans incredible stage presence (its right up there with Vishal Dadlanis during a Pentagram show). </p>
<p>P.s. I do realise that I've used the word incredible quite a bit in this post, but I couldn't help myself. It was about the only word I could use to describe what happened tonight. </p>
<p>Also, kudos to IIT student body for pulling off something this spectacular. All three days went off incredibly well this time aroud. Congrats IIT. You've shown why Saarang is one of the best fests around. </p>
Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-13585510705063584402011-12-07T23:09:00.000-08:002011-12-08T03:08:29.285-08:00Swarathma Live At Garuda Mall - 2.12.11<div style="text-align: left;">Swarathma is a band that has been around for a while now and I've always heard great reviews of their show, yet have never seen them live. I had heard their albums and liked their songs but only in a grab-a-beer-and-chill manner, not in a go-crazy-and-jump way. But little did I know that that was all about to change.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pyaasi was the first song of Swarathma that I had heard and having heard that Swarathma was playing at a MALL I just assumed that they would play slower tracks just like that. But once again, I was in for a real treat.</div><div><br /></div><div>Alright two paragraphs of explaining how I was in a real treat probably might not seal it for you guys. Here's a better explanation of the gig :-</div><div><br /></div><div>Raja, his sister and me reached the venue at about 7 PM. There were only about twenty people or so. The crowd was kept about 15-20 feet away from the stage and ahead of us were a bunch of cameras from what I'm guessing is every TV station in Bangalore. </div><div><br /></div><div>Soon, five extremely colorful men took to the stage. It took me about ten minutes to get over everything that the vocalist had on. He had really colorful clothes on just like everyone else BUT he also had these light blue socks with all these weird cartoon creatures or something on them that reminded me of well Christmas and a pair of red converse with a different colored shoe lace on each shoe. Extremely wacky I must say!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXP926xQG2bXFSdbtFAxqFBLcoQ43YB1IEkK1k98EuR_E1qifHJ-QmlOvgv2E9J6Q_miobm_J2_IUQzXPaSojuVzNxHp_GfrlOAi67D0zcW1YMQr-OCMhJ74P8GkA1lJ55YZ34MInzwFS/s1600/381870_10150441376449850_651529849_8411467_683762426_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXP926xQG2bXFSdbtFAxqFBLcoQ43YB1IEkK1k98EuR_E1qifHJ-QmlOvgv2E9J6Q_miobm_J2_IUQzXPaSojuVzNxHp_GfrlOAi67D0zcW1YMQr-OCMhJ74P8GkA1lJ55YZ34MInzwFS/s320/381870_10150441376449850_651529849_8411467_683762426_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683710231240578818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>THE CRAZIEST MAN I MAY HAVE EVER SEEN.. BUT A PHENOMENAL VOCALIST - VASU DIXIT</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div>The first song, I didn't quite catch the name, just remember the words "Chaddi Buddy", was a really fun one and got the crowd jumping and well in the right mood. The crowd soon started building and I think there were around 50 people around now and many standing on the pavement trying to watch the band. </div><div><br /></div><div>Swarathma, then introduced Mr. Seth Malloy from Boston on the saxophone and they played a track called Kyun Bala, which was the track that introduced the band on the episode of The Dewarists that featured them. Seth brought out an entire jazzy feel to the track and the vocals on this track was simply killer. Vasu may seem weird and crazy but he's got a mind blowing voice. The end was specially brilliant. The way they kept increasing the tempo made an already groovy track even more fun. By the end of this track the crowd had absolutely lost themselves.</div><div><br /></div><div>The end of this track saw the band then give way to the staff at Garuda to go on with some promotional crap. There was this one MC that was extremely amusing. But anyway, some female won a gold coin and we booed the guys out of there and finally Swarathma were back on, minus the saxophone. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOF5_ot1EFG7sHmwpbsD-WtK2HmsQk8gYey0FADlDoj1XTvR5Y8Wmtt7VJfJWOqlNYP4bv7AZZLhT51unH1vstlhMIG9OjFcXJL7RhyphenhyphenptmrnKqATEK522Q-RnzQWS48xiznJWT30nDokLq/s1600/374264_2459710489343_1149596685_32405980_302925125_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOF5_ot1EFG7sHmwpbsD-WtK2HmsQk8gYey0FADlDoj1XTvR5Y8Wmtt7VJfJWOqlNYP4bv7AZZLhT51unH1vstlhMIG9OjFcXJL7RhyphenhyphenptmrnKqATEK522Q-RnzQWS48xiznJWT30nDokLq/s320/374264_2459710489343_1149596685_32405980_302925125_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683710228298947058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>They then played a track called Aaj Ki Taaza Fikar, which is the first song to be released from their latest album Topiwalleh. They have promised that the entire album shall be up for free download, one track after the other. Aaj Ki Taaza Fikar is about the sensationalism by the media and how we are all just too scared to open the papers these days in fear of what awaits us in there. And it takes some guts to explain all that in front of about half a dozen news channel reporters and cameramen. The track itself had a heavier riff at the beginning but then went back to the usual Swarathma-ish sound. I simply loved the verse riff on this one. Hats Off Varun.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gcDWBbOWKnY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>Vasu then pulled out an instrument, which I think is known as a Bapan, according to the Dewarist episode 'Changing World'. It's got that really funky yet folk sound to it. You gotta hear it to really know what I'm talking about. And out came the song that really changed my view of Swarathma that night, Khul Jaare Sim Sim. The track was such a groovy one and one that you could just sing along too. It showed the immense depth in their music and the versatility of these musicians. Half way through the song, there was an interesting duel. It was a Bapan and Khanjira vs Drum and Bass battle and my goodness me was it exciting. The energy that the band, especially Vasu, has is just infectious. No matter how uptight you are, I assure catch this band live and you will for sure let your hair and you will just groove with them. </div><div><br /></div><div>Next up was a track called Khurani, a track about how we are the prey of various corporations that just need us to buy their products. Once again, takes a lot of guts to say anything along those lines in a place like Garuda Mall and in front of a bunch of sponsors that need us to do just that, buy their products!</div><div><br /></div><div>The start was extremely well heavy and I expected the song to be somewhat along those lines. The track was kind of an anti-climax though, because the song turned to be a rather soft but nonetheless a neatly structured one. There was some nice guitar work and once again Hats Off Mr. Varun. They had this tribal Lo-Lo-Lo thingy that you see in those ancient Tamil movies depicting those scary goddesses and yes it was fun to do that along with the band. :p</div><div><br /></div><div>A song or two later, they donned their Topis and played my favorite track of the night, Topiwalleh. It had this swing jazzy feel to it that just made you want to well dance and shake your hips et al. The vocalist showed some killer stage presence during the song and the song had a fricking BRILLIANT END!</div><div><br /></div><div>Following this was Ee Bhoomi Ee Swarga. Followed by a drum solo by Mr. Montry Manuel, a personal favorite. In all the songs, he didn't play anything that was technically mind-blowing or anything but somehow all the beats that he has played just fit each song ever so perfectly. During the solo, each band member chipped in with a few percussion items themselves, including a unique new instrument, which is just a bunch of old used ball bearings in a bottle, an idea conceived in the brilliant mind of none other than Mr. Montry. </div><div><br /></div><div>This was followed by a track called Ghunghunaiye(I think that's the name :s), dedicated to their Goddess KATRINA KAIF. </div><div><br /></div><div>Following this was their last track of the night, Pyaasi. They played the song due to popular demand. Everyone brought their cell phones out and brought a lovely mood to proceedings. Though not prominent, there was once again some excellent guitar work. Usually all gigs have a thumping end with a lot of drum and bass and the guitarist going crazy. But this gig was very different, it ended on a really soft and sober note. And in a way, it was personally a very fitting way to end the gig, with the song that actually got them into public view and with what is my personal favorite track by the band, well until Topiwalleh came along of course. </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_y1iRYAVfMX-JJlcX-iKRPqRPMnH5xPSn_A-GQCB3kb92f4ngeHj_F0oRs_159uyNYRM0WKyab5tq51W6RdHFsQi8XqP6xURxAqqOH3JTziDTibpKyFGCP0TnVbc2T9AfJJDSDV-P6yN/s320/374118_10150441371114850_651529849_8411457_1902905565_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683710225607414978" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>FROM L-R : Jishnu(Bass), Montry(Drums), Vasu(Vocals), Varun(Guitars), Pavan(Percussions), Seth(Saxophone), Sanjeev(Violin)</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm glad I was finally able to catch Swarathma live on stage and I would definitely love to see them live once more.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, after this it was time to grab dinner and rush home so that I could get some sleep before my flight to Delhi, to catch Suraj Mani live in action with motherjane for one last time. I'm sorry but I will not be blogging about that gig cuz beyond it was more a personal moment than a musical one.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, I hope you caught the episode of The Dewarists that featured Swarathma, in colloboration with Shubha Mudgal. They came up with a pretty decent track known as Duur Kinara, which is also up for free download. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1kI-g4JRPGE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers</div><div>Hari</div><div><br /></div><div>p.s. Photo Credits : George Bernard</div>Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-20218916038150932092011-11-26T20:50:00.000-08:002011-11-26T21:44:48.128-08:00Another Ticking Time Bomb<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>THE MULLAPERIYAR DAM</b></span></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Yyi6EiAZ3PaJm7oIBHrIzebe3dvd4x2SprAeTp2wHIicAQJZsyeqHDPqcTKp437DWxqBxXAQdKuV3sAtxXk-FaLsVnn5MrqY8B3PjoXYLPsVgWlGdC6mSL8ficZrBsfBAqe-fQYH5gXw/s1600/mullaperiyar_844996f.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Yyi6EiAZ3PaJm7oIBHrIzebe3dvd4x2SprAeTp2wHIicAQJZsyeqHDPqcTKp437DWxqBxXAQdKuV3sAtxXk-FaLsVnn5MrqY8B3PjoXYLPsVgWlGdC6mSL8ficZrBsfBAqe-fQYH5gXw/s320/mullaperiyar_844996f.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679545043033295042" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Over the past few days, I've read numerous reports about the Mullaperiyar Dam and I can't help but think of just one question "What exactly is the Central Government waiting for?"<div><br /></div><div>For those that haven't been following the news here's a basic gist of what the issue is all about -> The Mullaperiyar Dam is located in the Idukki District in Kerala and was constructed in 1895 under the British Rule and due to an old agreement signed by the British Presidency and the Travancore Maharaja the water and all operations of the dam are controlled by Tamil Nadu for 999 years (Yes, Bata Prices!). And hence according to the agreement, Tamil Nadu don't just get all of the water they also get to take all the decisions! </div><div><br /></div><div>A recent study by a team from IIT Rourkee shows that any earthquake above 6 on the Richter scale could lead to a major catastrophe in the area. Starting with about 30 lakh people losing their lives and most of the beauty of Kerala disappearing. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jayalalitha, being the drama queen that she is, and numerous ill educated ministers like Vaiko believe that Kerala is just blowing the issue out of proportion and that Oommen Chandy is just looking for better press. Now though I get why they are skeptic and everything, I have just one small request -> Ladies and Gentlemen of the Tamil Nadu State Government, open your eyes and do read about what's happening before you go on record about all of this being an unnecessary waste of time. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, readers, please read the following pointers and decide for yourself as to whether the issue is blown out of proportion and trust me I'll try being as unbiased as i can be :-</div><div><br /></div><div>1) There have been around 20 earth tremors since July 26th of this year, with their epicentres in the region surrounding the old dam. </div><div><br /></div><div>2) One of these tremors measured 3.4 on Richter Scale. </div><div><br /></div><div>3) Experts from IIT, Rourkee where called in to assess the situation by the Kerala State Government and they issued a very strong warning about the proneness of the region for earthquakes of cataclysmic magnitudes. Their report also indicated that there is a high possibility of an earthquake measuring up to 6.5 on the Richter scale around the Mullaperiyar dam. This will shake the very foundation of the ancient dam. </div><div><br /></div><div>4) The dam already has numerous cracks and has shown signs of leakages in many parts. </div><div><br /></div><div>5) The dam is 116 years old and is made of lime and surkhi(a mixture of sugar and calcium oxide). It's a miracle that it has stood for so long.</div><div><br /></div><div>As if all of this was not enough, there were four more mild tremors reported in the Idukki area yesterday(26-11-11) with magnitudes of 2.7, 2.9, 1.4 and 1.7. Madam Jayalalitha and her associates in Tamil Nadu are yet to issue a statement regarding this.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Kerala government, which has always been a popular one for the wrong reasons, has clearly stated that Tamil Nadu can still take all the water and that all Kerala wants is for Tamil Nadu to agree on the rebuilding project and reduce the water level so that the reconstruction can take place. To me, as a personal opinion, that seems pretty damn fair. </div><div><br /></div><div>I agree the tremors have been of really small magnitude, but is it right to ignore ALL of these tremors and go on to call this a publicity stunt? </div><div><br /></div><div>Isn't it always better to be safe than sorry? </div><div><br /></div><div>How does one overlook scientific evidence and call it all a sham? </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQ28ERedcdeqF_sVc8IIBXZpH-RD9ueuF8UEyuE2GVf3R_kk0pXwgUzZKKJPwvEvQO7hwFFU71hkdAr5NyeRlSjXkOfrULSznVJQ9EWeNJx5ahQrTkNYMXt-3CerrQKBvI8rWOip43Cam/s1600/392074_241413229259570_100001726838231_699127_56570517_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQ28ERedcdeqF_sVc8IIBXZpH-RD9ueuF8UEyuE2GVf3R_kk0pXwgUzZKKJPwvEvQO7hwFFU71hkdAr5NyeRlSjXkOfrULSznVJQ9EWeNJx5ahQrTkNYMXt-3CerrQKBvI8rWOip43Cam/s320/392074_241413229259570_100001726838231_699127_56570517_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679545041737082450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>But the biggest question is - <b>What on earth is more important than the lives of 30 Lakh Indians?</b> </div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers</div><div>Hari</div></div><div><br /></div><div>pics courtesy : The Mullaperiyar Dam by The Hindu and The Square Cut comic by Raja Hariharan</div>Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-14923164764820557642011-11-08T00:25:00.000-08:002011-11-08T07:51:52.136-08:00METALLICA live at BANGALORE - 30/10/11<div style="text-align: left;">A year ago if anyone had told me that a day would come when I would stand a few feet away from METALLICA and watch them kick ass live I would have laughed at them whilst secretly hoping that the day would eventually come.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>The day did come and OH MY GOODNESS was it worth it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sometime in May, Metallica announced a two city tour of India and ever since then there has only been one question that every metal head asked the other, "So when are you booking your tickets?". I couldnt believe my eyes when I read reports of them coming to India and was found pinching myself checking for whether this was actually true or just another one of the oh so lovely dreams. </div><div><br /></div><div>Months passed. Permissions sought. Money arranged and tickets were booked. Then came the scare of the century. The mess at Gurgaon left me speechless and I spent the entire night listening to every possible version of the incident on any news channel that i could find. There were some reports that said that the cops wouldnt give permission anymore and there were others that said that the gig at Bangalore was cancelled. Without a clue as to what to believe I went to bed real restless.</div><div><br /></div><div>Woke up and went to the venue at 10 AM, to redeem my ticket. But when I reached the venue, all doubts were put to rest. There were around a 100 people standing there, all proudly wearing their metallica t-shirts. Enter Sandman and Turn the Page were heard on mobiles all around. While the atmosphere gave me goosebumps. There was one lil pain in the ass. The ticket clearly said come at 10 to redeem our tickets and the organizers just made us run from one gate to another. Not a single counter was set up for the people with e-tickets. We waited till 1 for the gates to open and were sent in along with others who already had their tickets and were waiting to go all the way in. Even after we went inside there wasn't a single queue for e-ticket redemption, with people just arbitrarily told to form queues in various places, with each organizer telling us to stand in a different place. And to make matters worse, it poured like crazy. </div><div><br /></div><div>Bummed out and pissed and drenched, I eventually did get my tickets a little past 3 and we slowly tried to make our way into the main grounds. Never before had I been part of such a huge crowd and the atmosphere was electric. We pushed forward gradually taking just a couple of steps every ten minutes. Eventually after over an hour we made it through. We missed most of Inner Sanctums set but caught just the last song and it was evident that they had just played a real tight set. The last song, unfortunately don't know the name, saw some real amazing vocals coupled with some real tight drumming. Note to self : Must get some Inner Sanctum merchandise the next time I'm in Bangalore. [:D]</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fl1eBdg_yUrybqThd8GFXqI2Tkolh67iNQUmVlBI55OLi0LSlGNhiSnbcYsaerp-udERTZOhx2aayEoEI8t1M5Di40tpuvpExLq6VDpTazxG5XjWqgA7nrPNZMykmbKGdn_8lCeX3PY8/s320/230722_10150178985085970_7574935969_6856079_7216042_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672572256689009666" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 98px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzXMelbhBZ5y6oCq1Jenrpo0GKsbU5zG1qRGbpx55kUzDwpKZlBUa8a073wZFv4_kYJ5xR3aTLMS_ZhJu3T1gCS9B8OabuwyBQhVwMoWvOFousw4hDuK-PzsFsVtOaA_Zx3060uC2Ww7G/s1600/224352_10150178986240970_7574935969_6856096_8112107_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzXMelbhBZ5y6oCq1Jenrpo0GKsbU5zG1qRGbpx55kUzDwpKZlBUa8a073wZFv4_kYJ5xR3aTLMS_ZhJu3T1gCS9B8OabuwyBQhVwMoWvOFousw4hDuK-PzsFsVtOaA_Zx3060uC2Ww7G/s320/224352_10150178986240970_7574935969_6856096_8112107_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672572563851383026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Next up on stage was Guillotine, the runners up at the Hornbill festival. And I honestly expected a lot more from them. Their set was a slightly disappointing one and made me even more restless and want Metallica to come on quicker. </div><div><br /></div><div>They got off stage and there was a huge break. Soon, the Rain Gods got excited again. And any bespectacled man will know how big a pain it is to watch a metal concert w<span><span></span></span>hile its raining with glasses on. Thankfully, Biffy Clyro came on soon. Three half naked men and another dude walked on stage and a couple of them looked like real hillbillies and yes maybe I was being stereotypical but I didn't expect them to be awesome. BUT as if just to prove me wrong, they were brilliant. Most men in the crowd were just there screaming for Metallica and you will hence find a lot of people out there saying Biffy Clyro sucked but trust me, they were brilliant. They played some real fun tracks and I found myself jumping like a clown in a place where I could barely stand. [:p]</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxKQNFW6ZeZDGVfw0pDeapSxQJgeTx6kD8lPu-bzySq6hVOE42mrmiRt7jznlzXYd0HNviMz9w5OjzYj4TnOl7ysdVJquWkeT8Z-1rc4TyRCbWfiRzX6xBAH9vfuagiEAu8DCZaRFAF31/s1600/376784_295708660448493_170469886305705_1194087_569934478_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxKQNFW6ZeZDGVfw0pDeapSxQJgeTx6kD8lPu-bzySq6hVOE42mrmiRt7jznlzXYd0HNviMz9w5OjzYj4TnOl7ysdVJquWkeT8Z-1rc4TyRCbWfiRzX6xBAH9vfuagiEAu8DCZaRFAF31/s320/376784_295708660448493_170469886305705_1194087_569934478_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672572260769541490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 215px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>They played an hour-long set and I enjoyed every bit of it. Immediately after Biffy Clyro left the stage, the stage was filled with technicians. There were men setting up microphones, and I was left in sheer awe when the men placed EIGHT microphones on stage. Three on the top platform, three on the main platform and two at the far ends of the platform. The drum kit was up and after an hour of the sound crew tweaking and turning knobs and screws, the TIME HAD COME. </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMNmk3QMhV_v04G2pSnD3A_os4LoCqtTmf0eZJfeKmFDmWdgW3-F7rb_ENgiviI4Vts9VSO3iOdadzMzsbQb7ktiT8KZ3LJmKkFwPiJJWFdKUrDuYyqtYveF0kaNnMs9cpfmPglls_MNjU/s320/lars.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672566718930146402" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>The Ecstasy of Gold video played. Everyone went crazy. Me and a over 20,000 other members of what Hetfield calls, "The Metallica Family" raised our devils horns in unison and screamed out loud for Metallica. Lars popped up! And started playing the opening beat to Creeping Death and soon, Trujillo, Hetfield and Hammet burst out from the sides and all hell broke loose. METALLICA was here. METALLICA was playing LIVE in front of my eyes. There were moshpits all around and there were people screaming the words trying to drown out Hetfield. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMsrp0BCYoEElYp1CW7IqI1nJTTlo6VYC3TnU_r-oC8Or_AhSMK9k01GeZK-faw5eWhPIXFm8Mjhw95zrjhyphenhyphenIYA66E4HrATrLUtdoIUPxj5s5czJssdcenMLG-LfPANW4ILgCzNxHVshW/s1600/trujillo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMsrp0BCYoEElYp1CW7IqI1nJTTlo6VYC3TnU_r-oC8Or_AhSMK9k01GeZK-faw5eWhPIXFm8Mjhw95zrjhyphenhyphenIYA66E4HrATrLUtdoIUPxj5s5czJssdcenMLG-LfPANW4ILgCzNxHVshW/s320/trujillo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672566713445643010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Next up was 'For Whom The Bell Tolls' and at the epicness of the moment was yet to sink in but we were getting there. 'Fuel' was up next! And the pyrotechnics left we with my mouth wide open. I've been to the gigs with the international bands since Megadeth, but correct me if I'm wrong, Metallica were the first ones to get permission to bring pyrotechnics. The pyrotechnics went brilliant with the song and Hammet blew the place to smithereenes with his solo. Just the day before, we had covered the song. It just struck me, "How imperfect are we all"!!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijplQ3qruI9eby2IUluzvOHxaia_6Loks4QZTNI-FeJrB027Jm0bkZNPWh-BXaJ8aW337uBsXjH0OlWTyXdLeLxcko2N3b0TEzZ4ymTPVA3qIyFP0-PABAz2F8k9DnteADHsDvxW3zjsMb/s1600/392142_190546991024172_129237143821824_420565_1568359897_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijplQ3qruI9eby2IUluzvOHxaia_6Loks4QZTNI-FeJrB027Jm0bkZNPWh-BXaJ8aW337uBsXjH0OlWTyXdLeLxcko2N3b0TEzZ4ymTPVA3qIyFP0-PABAz2F8k9DnteADHsDvxW3zjsMb/s320/392142_190546991024172_129237143821824_420565_1568359897_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672568647582900850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 200px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Hetfield then asked us PERMISSION to play tracks from their recent album Death Magnetic, which hasn't been the most popular among their fans. They went on to play Cyanide. Followed by "The Memory Remains". The end of this song was easily the most memorable part of the concert. For around three-four minutes, the ENTIRE CROWD chanted long after Hetfield and the others stopped. All the four members were left amazed by the crowd, with each of them bearing an expression of sheer veneration. At the end of it, Hetfield was caught mumbling something along the lines of "Bangalore you are simply beautiful". That one line filled our hearts and we could go home and tell our sons and grandsons in the future that we caught Metallica live one day and hell we blew their mind!</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7y-Zc7gc9utEYaw9ZEr-bv-c2eYgoQ7H-wfwSXklCGn798jburq0ETmPWERhLRdfglsqvZLsGKlxqIKQKwwOnjtXsJRQqkea5ow6HaBvAEEgX_rX2bScIljNGZJj5rpkuDUb1-S5COMk/s320/hammet.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672566709037879074" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>Hammet kept us hooked with some real orgasmic solos between songs. Tracks like Sad But True, Welcome Home (Sanitarium), All Nightmare Long and One followed. </div><div><br /></div><div>After One, Hetfield changes guitars and heads to the top platform and sang the track that first made me love Metallica. The track that I had been waiting for all night. MASTER OF PUPPETS. </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKRuHVO8FiNaGjFgo1cwYdt9AAuI8yP18hlnkPS8_O9_wycm5tPVlsA0h245bzGTxHIxZnxwBQCo8xiknaW5mU4bMMCJu9fnz_CEiBWmESXIv3muLhuCyat70QNBdbjDpolcMLpjhxZDc/s320/b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672568641067685138" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 218px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>During the chorus, Hetfield raised the microphones to the crowd and we did the rest. MASTER! MASTER! The crowd went crazy and so did I. The atmosphere was electric. We just never wanted them to stop. EVER! And an evil laugh and my goodness I was in a trance. Was this really happening? Did I just hear Hetfield do the evil laugh on Master of Puppets!? "Kill me now and I would die with a huge grin on my face" was one of the thoughts going through my head at that moment. No exaggeration whatsoever!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JmWUhScidAS9gUFJdELL4lQghrgoMVrhL1KozGrXvL_8aevrb6f5WxaNyMHBYBTDp1XY-aB_MADwc4fxI0QzsdM8NcIabNVTAay6-TPawJnjVA0a1xZBjASMteCvxII75lFXvNG8KsDl/s1600/hetfield.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JmWUhScidAS9gUFJdELL4lQghrgoMVrhL1KozGrXvL_8aevrb6f5WxaNyMHBYBTDp1XY-aB_MADwc4fxI0QzsdM8NcIabNVTAay6-TPawJnjVA0a1xZBjASMteCvxII75lFXvNG8KsDl/s320/hetfield.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672566707198912450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Crowd favourites like Nothing Else Matters and Enter Sandman followed and the fireworks at the end of Enter Sandman got the crowd to an euphoric high. The band waved goodbye but we wanted more. The band were back soon and paid tribute to the 80s band Diamond Head, playing the track "Am I Evil". Followed by Battery and the best end to any concert ever possible "Seek and Destroy". The ultimate end to the best live gig that I have witnessed till date. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHjjzkXQJs1OpTsmGWx9yC-2OJCQ9KABu5OteG-_0XewLUZFOBO7w_2q7Ki8pcP6Pnxv-U1y6wmdT7v6_U0RJIftAE0e1OmbntjLt6x1dbpqDs35LEYatJA8NtlLmhBZ9fXdcOz6cM8LE/s1600/crowd.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHjjzkXQJs1OpTsmGWx9yC-2OJCQ9KABu5OteG-_0XewLUZFOBO7w_2q7Ki8pcP6Pnxv-U1y6wmdT7v6_U0RJIftAE0e1OmbntjLt6x1dbpqDs35LEYatJA8NtlLmhBZ9fXdcOz6cM8LE/s320/crowd.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672566701876606514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>There are numerous people out there that say that Metallica have lost it. They've sold themselves out and that they should've disbanded long ago. But to all these people I can safely say - They've still got it! And they can still kick some serious ass! And there are over 50,000 people that can vouch for that fact. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcz0b435PyaiAaWJ0MeIdOnIVCtp85QNceHgcMcr2fprKuPUiTBx6rGm96F1u5epO5t6KNn6tzgwPln3vurYVoXRqUvThStCDc2JH2TGj8wUNdkZF_regbBuaMt7TZcp1JLTD3xYovdTwq/s1600/a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcz0b435PyaiAaWJ0MeIdOnIVCtp85QNceHgcMcr2fprKuPUiTBx6rGm96F1u5epO5t6KNn6tzgwPln3vurYVoXRqUvThStCDc2JH2TGj8wUNdkZF_regbBuaMt7TZcp1JLTD3xYovdTwq/s320/a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672568634134703938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><div><div style="text-align: center; "> </div></div></div><div>Metallica was one of those bands that made me listen to the genres I listen to and the songs that I play and make. And to see this band live left me with emotions I'm yet to explain. Yes I'm late to post this, but even today the images from the concert remain fresh in my head and trust me they always will. How could I forget watching all of Trujillos antics! Master of Puppets. The Laugh! Lars standing on his drum throne and playing Sad But True! The Start! Fuel! Seek and Destory! Every last bit of it! I shall recount these moments for many, and each time I remember them I will have a tear of joy in my eye! Believe you me!</div><div><br /></div><div>I leave you with this, my friends -- HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE ALIVE?!!!? \m/</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers</div><div>Hari</div><div><br /></div></div><div>p.s. Special Thanks to Prateek Biswas, Befreshed, What's the Scene and the Official Metallica Page for the photographs</div>Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-4800605099640867342011-09-27T08:36:00.000-07:002011-09-27T11:33:46.927-07:00motherjane live at Festember '11 -- 24.09.11<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div>NIT Trichy always brought to my mind an image of a bunch of the countries biggest brains stuck together in a classroom solving a bunch of complex mathematic equations, after going to NITT for Festember '11 I've got to say I couldnt have been more wrong. Here's why!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAaU63i1tofiCmXciq5BocIQEWZVnK93O9URIOyp7mUXaqHUmuXJKkAqLP82UVpQ0smI_DU0_zgscNZwwdZd6eCv1z2ERY9T3DNA_kjfhKlzqArez4philQ0uKRQzjGdGhk5zMZdLNXmD/s1600/festember-nitt.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAaU63i1tofiCmXciq5BocIQEWZVnK93O9URIOyp7mUXaqHUmuXJKkAqLP82UVpQ0smI_DU0_zgscNZwwdZd6eCv1z2ERY9T3DNA_kjfhKlzqArez4philQ0uKRQzjGdGhk5zMZdLNXmD/s320/festember-nitt.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657108760558609730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 129px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The first time I had heard of Festember was when my band decided to send in our entry for the battle of the bands contest. Unfortunately, we didnt make the cut. Later I heard that motherjane were headlining the show and I thought to myself that we had actually been selected, I would have actually played a gig in front of my idols. Woah! I'm pretty sure I would have been shivering so bad before getting on that stage, but yes it would have been such an amazing moment. *sigh* -- Some dreams do take time to come to life I'm guessing :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday early morning, and I set off on a bumpy bus ride to the land of NITT. Reached Trichy at about 3 and headed straight for the hotel where motherjane was put up. A nice little nap, a bit of TV, and a little tea and motherjane was all set to rock the night. And so was I. </div><div><br /></div><div>Soundcheck got super delayed because of a lot of technical difficulties, but the show did go on and motherjane took to the stage at around 9.30 PM or so. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Panchari Melam music began to play and the stage was filled with smoke. The stage was set for motherjane. The crowd began to go wild. And soon, motherjane lit the stage on fire with Disillusioned. The energy was mesmerizing and the guys were really starting to enjoy (i specifically say guys because the guys were made to stand about 50 feet away from the stage and the girls were made to stand right in front. The only sad thing in an otherwise brilliant setting). The girls, still sitting, were clapping and cheering but very very few had gotten into "the zone". </div><div><br /></div><div>Next up was Maya and Suraj dedicated this song to all the beautiful women that were sitting right in front. He urged the girls to stand up and get dancing. If I were asked to name two people that came to mind right away that had the ability to get a crowd going, I would say "Suraj Mani from Motherjane and Vishal Dadlani from Pentagram" without giving it any thought. Suraj got the girls going and soon there were numerous girls dancing to motherjanes tracks. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQC1Q7x9tXm4nUoKOgO3K9sbaGZwla9HItKwwta2puZk3SN3YluQaVB5p6MYroW_h2wdbDN4NXIrTOFKCokx18l920ZXkUAAdsdYHogJcRYfHFDsIe6Vz2TMWQJV5e_RIfgURm_JbhSc9/s1600/suraj.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQC1Q7x9tXm4nUoKOgO3K9sbaGZwla9HItKwwta2puZk3SN3YluQaVB5p6MYroW_h2wdbDN4NXIrTOFKCokx18l920ZXkUAAdsdYHogJcRYfHFDsIe6Vz2TMWQJV5e_RIfgURm_JbhSc9/s320/suraj.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657106009715615234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>SURAJ MANI - MY SOCRATES</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love this picture :) -- so natural.. so much passion.. and so much fun :D</div><div><br /></div><div>Blood in the Apple followed, and motherjane played the song sans the bass solo at the start of the song. The solo that Clyde plays gives the song a little more feel, or so I think and I did miss that part. But the rest of the song was note-perfect and by this time, everyone in the crowd was headbanging deliriously. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCctrecXpgEpPBZCMuNIdEs27UTayKKFehjRjlGfpNfebU-tlPQ2hTswoN6z3AsDB7cwJKzWSEH4dXzFwbBgKMQvpZArBf_QeBpOHt0AqyYv04D9UBilYewJDoYOX5OK09CLO5v2jvque/s1600/clyde.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCctrecXpgEpPBZCMuNIdEs27UTayKKFehjRjlGfpNfebU-tlPQ2hTswoN6z3AsDB7cwJKzWSEH4dXzFwbBgKMQvpZArBf_QeBpOHt0AqyYv04D9UBilYewJDoYOX5OK09CLO5v2jvque/s320/clyde.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657104701169459842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>CLYDE ROZARIO - BUDDHA ON THE BASS</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Deepu really seemed to be enjoying himself and he could be seen jumping all around on stage. It made for a really nice sight :)</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR28EGJbmot-mAL0RLKMhh-N_RNLHli5ymjpJzMn7rfsZzJtVYIVdthKIPZDPfn70DVSh7UGn4jrjVryRdwRCYAsdXtD3iWOA2sPN8X0C-HeMS8qxBHOhRwp_-0_3FSuLmbTpbW_aFxcr5/s1600/deepu.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR28EGJbmot-mAL0RLKMhh-N_RNLHli5ymjpJzMn7rfsZzJtVYIVdthKIPZDPfn70DVSh7UGn4jrjVryRdwRCYAsdXtD3iWOA2sPN8X0C-HeMS8qxBHOhRwp_-0_3FSuLmbTpbW_aFxcr5/s320/deepu.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657104703596804210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>DEEPU SASIDHARAN - SILK AND STEEL</b></div><div>Soul Corporations, tweaked at the start a little bit, followed. Santhosh played a mind numbing solo during the song that left me speechless. It was an extremely beautiful solo that had that unique motherjane touch, yet had many more elements that were new. If anyone has any doubt what so ever as to where motherjane is headed after Baiju leaving, trust me, they are in real safe hands. Santhosh is a guitarist that will blow your mind over and over again every time you watch him. No exaggeration what so ever, I promise. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ur3c8KnHiVhjcxgnrN2AXj_mRRAKXxtFiEIUo8rdFgU97Tmy4hLxI5RRApQJOHuTURUgqV5OPZHzStBJMR44UvPjptJ68TluK8BPMxdVnL98sELs1cRXEI1NARCPgo0xLhM7pli4ADSx/s1600/santosh.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ur3c8KnHiVhjcxgnrN2AXj_mRRAKXxtFiEIUo8rdFgU97Tmy4hLxI5RRApQJOHuTURUgqV5OPZHzStBJMR44UvPjptJ68TluK8BPMxdVnL98sELs1cRXEI1NARCPgo0xLhM7pli4ADSx/s320/santosh.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657104710753354834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>SANTHOSH CHANDRAN - THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN TOUCH</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The auditorium was then filled with the words Thaka Thakita Thaka Thakita as motherjane belted out Chasing the Sun. John, playing with a finger injury, and yet brought so much life to the song. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPCPt7zoPXaomoogbqpt6nkhe8s63_Ep6uieK_o9AxHSoZ6SJUZu4OfU2ZIyvy20TkwjyNIPbd3cRjd0QkJ4MV8un0xaQpYCxpWG22emQp-3rFk6_9FcB8HZpeFcO8F3VFHYh-C9aH_hP/s320/john.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657104708228104882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>JOHN THOMAS - ZE METRONOME</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Their newest single, No Contest, was up next and I with my short hair successfully executed ze WINDMILL! WOO HOO!! I believe that the aggresive riffs that Santhosh has composed for this particular really does suit the theme of the song and though it aint very pronounced but Santhosh has played some really beautiful parts in the song that will not fail to amaze you.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fields of Sound, Broken, Jihad, Mindstreet followed. Santhosh played two brilliant solos, one at the end of Jihad and one after the last verse of Mindstreet. I'm sorry if I'm talking way too much about Santhosh but he was just that brilliant. </div><div><br /></div><div>motherjane ended the gig with Karmic Steps. It was unfortunate but the gig was a rather short one because of the delays and the curfews. But none the less, it was a brilliant show and I really did think every single person in the crowd enjoyed himself. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrastLhRGlM9GZ6etI3KRmxhzMXnu2o0EjAdT7AUXGN4qTmsuHSOa-N9GYQXUXAPXqH-RLB_IxjlHavkwJEvmSJOsWkmp-AzlFQLV09E3_cM7EuuWoDP5Wxbi8YDBPlnV0YInJgZBiqCz/s1600/mj.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrastLhRGlM9GZ6etI3KRmxhzMXnu2o0EjAdT7AUXGN4qTmsuHSOa-N9GYQXUXAPXqH-RLB_IxjlHavkwJEvmSJOsWkmp-AzlFQLV09E3_cM7EuuWoDP5Wxbi8YDBPlnV0YInJgZBiqCz/s320/mj.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657104707289676818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>MOTHERJANE - A BEAUTIFUL NOTE IN A SYMPHONY OF SPIRITS</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I did hope they played a few more tracks, especially Maktub as Santhosh(yes him again) has added a lovely piece at the start which plays on the Flamenco Guitar(Box Guitar). It sounds so beautiful and adds a lot of soul to the song. I cant wait for the new album now. He has promised to bring in a lot of new elements and I cant wait to lay my hands on it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, the bumpy bus rides well worth it and I must add a note to thank all the students at NITT for making it a lovely experience, and special mention to Pankaj for the hospitality and the company. Thank you all :)</div><div><br /></div><div>p.s. Photo Credit : Charles and Vishal Nambiar</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers</div><div>Hari</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-64358568117413609632011-06-20T00:57:00.000-07:002011-06-25T21:24:44.954-07:00LETS GET TAAQING!Fete de la Musique, also known as World Music Day, is a music festival that initially started off in France (as is obvious from the name). It has now been about for about 25-30 years. A brilliant concept to honour music and art as such.<br /><br />And what better a place to honour a French tradition than Alliance Francaise in Namma Bengaluru. Over two days, numerous artists of various genres were called in to play 30 minute sets. The event boasted of big names such as Thermal and a Quarter, Swarathma, Slain and so many more, including various classical musicians too.<br /><br />I went to the event on 18th solely to catch TAAQ in action.<br /><br />The gig was a very special one for the band itself as it was the first anniversary of their "newest" member, bassist Prakash K.N. Prakash filled huge shoes when he replaced Rhuzde and he has done so incredibly well (at least as far as I can tell).<br /><br />Owing to a very limited time slot, they played very few songs. However, they did have a blast. Their stage presence is incredible, especially their vocalist/guitarist, Bruce Lee Mani. They took a while to do their soundcheck as "they like to take their time with these things" and rightly so. However, not once was anyone in the crowd heard complaining as we were all enthralled by Bruces acting skills. Not only is he a brilliant guitarist and a vocalist but apparently a pretty decent actor too. [:)]<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LoQh50iwe7E" allowfullscreen="" width="425" frameborder="0" height="349"></iframe><br /></div><br />Rajeev, the drummer, did have a bit of trouble with the snare stand as it was wobbling around but that never stopped him and they performed their set to perfection. One of the most incredible moments for me, as a drummer, was witnessing Rajeevs independence and his dynamics. Incredibly controlled drumming, that is subtle yet powerful. He has definitely captured a spot on my list of drummers that inspire me.<br /><br />They opened the show with a song called De Arranged. A nice lovely start to the gig. The crowd wasnt a typical rock crowd with everyone sitting down and there were people ranging from little kids to old grandmothers. The sight of many of the older people liking TAAQs was a very pleasant one. The kid sitting right next to me was covering her ears through half of the first song and then started to enjoy herself shortly afterwards when she started to actually listen to it. The scene reminded me of MOTHERJANEs gig at Snehadaan.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/z-QjKs1NZYA" allowfullscreen="" width="425" frameborder="0" height="349"></iframe><br /></div><br />The next song on their set list was dedicated to the beautiful women of Bangalore and was aptly called Bangalore Flowers. Needless to say, Bruce Lee Mani was killing it on his axe with his solos. [:)]<br /><br />A quick change of guitars for the axeman and they were set for the next one, Holy Jose. Bruce introduced the song by saying, "Now here is a song about a man that we all know" and hoping for the song Kickbackistaan, which is one of my favourite TAAQ tracks, I shouted "Kalmadi" [:P], which brought a couple of laughs from the crowd and the band themselves. The song was about the man JOSE, to be said with a very heavy Malayali accent. The bass solo played during the song was an incredible one and Prakash made it look very very easy. There was also a very short drum solo during the track. The dynamics that Rajeev showcased during the length of the track was brilliant.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WI5hte0zoJg" allowfullscreen="" width="425" frameborder="0" height="319"></iframe><br /></div><br />Next up was a Beatles cover, With a Little Help from My Friends, followed by Wishing for Magic. And magic we got, through TAAQ. [:)]<br /><br />They followed this up with a new song called Sorry for Me, which talks about Income Tax and Divorces and touches every aspect of modern life. An extremely funny song, when you listen to the lyrics. [:)]<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ed-YpkmLYgk" allowfullscreen="" width="425" frameborder="0" height="349"></iframe><br /></div><br />And then there was just ONE. It was time for the last track and there was no dearth of requests. They ended up playing another new track called Mighty Strange, a track that talks about the IT field. Love the lyrics again, and yes the words "Mighty Strange, Plenty Deranged" , fit perfectly well.<br /><br />After the gig me and Riddhiman caught up with the band and I finally got a picture with Bruce Lee Mani, which I hope will soon find its way to facebook. We also chatted with the drummer and I got myself a few exercises to work on my Independence and many more aspects of my drumming. We also got Bruce Lee Mani s pelctrum and a drumstick from Rajeev, and hence I now officially possess treasure. [:)]<br /><br />Though they didnt play a few of my favourite tracks like Kickbackistaan, One Small Love, I'm Drunk and Paper Puli, it was a lot of fun and I thoroughly enjoyed myself at the gig. I cant wait to lay my hands on a couple of their merchandise now. [:)]<br /><br />p.s. Sorry for the absence of pictures. My cameraman did not report for duty this time. [:P] Praveen, where art thou [:P]<br /><br />Cheers<br />Hari<br />a\m/ajaniacHarihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-3953795786903339772011-05-21T01:23:00.000-07:002011-05-21T23:44:19.532-07:00THRISSUR POORAM - 12.05.2011 & 13.05.2011<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I had heard a lot about the spectacular percussion display at the Thrissur Pooram and hence as a drummer, this festival has always excited me. Finally, this year we (Raja, Praveen, Rajas dad and I) were able to make it to famous festival. However, I had no idea that the Pooram would be this majestic and colorful.</span></div><div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span>The entire Pooram </span><span><span class="Apple-style-span">features about 96 elephants(according to a newspaper article b<span><span>ut I believe there were a lot more) and is a sort of a friendly competition between two temples - The Thiruvambady Bhagav</span></span>athi and Paramekkavu Bhagavathi with the Sree Vadakumnathan Temple playing a role almost equivalent to a mediator. The festival is not just important in the Hindu calendar and even churches take place in this gala event. Apart from the events at the temples mentioned, there are numerous smaller events that take place at the other temples in Thrissur and also at various other smaller gatherings throughout the city.</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwtLgE7YOzdCprodZ1067E-lJwVObO6bwXsEATusgkB870u9-gHX_KDm1sV_qjmeWPc2B4OqqwQc5aIheFwVatwn5bTTcYSQBUHTzqc5gNAJQP-drcPFZO9QGJHZAgl4gIaSUrBxtgjBx/s1600/anna.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwPohfUDnOWMBtcBXR1zG7gFw1YhGbO_IYtTynLPkGGurPKOuTMyvFLKHPmH6sh-H8vfmMcVlpNqQh2gFmSX1PA2QRS34pLbWLQcRAHuD-naPUCiPOs9bYnSuYGTCZvcLljV4yJx17rdb/s320/decoration.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609139974354685602" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">One of the Gopurams of the Vadakumnathan Temple at Night</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span">The Pooram is almost an 8 hour music festival with various instruments, such as the Chenda, Thimila, Edakka, Kombu, Elathalam, Sanghu, Kurumukuzhal being used. Every event at the festival is accompanied by music played by local maestros. Every event is presided by the elephants of the two major temples carrying golden plaques depicting the Gods of the respective temples. For most of the events these elephants are flanked by as many as 14 other elephants. Each one of the elephants has an umbrella, fans made out of peacock feathers and a bunch of yak tail which are held by people seated on the elephant. These are swayed rhythmically to the music played around the procession of elephants.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwtLgE7YOzdCprodZ1067E-lJwVObO6bwXsEATusgkB870u9-gHX_KDm1sV_qjmeWPc2B4OqqwQc5aIheFwVatwn5bTTcYSQBUHTzqc5gNAJQP-drcPFZO9QGJHZAgl4gIaSUrBxtgjBx/s1600/anna.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwtLgE7YOzdCprodZ1067E-lJwVObO6bwXsEATusgkB870u9-gHX_KDm1sV_qjmeWPc2B4OqqwQc5aIheFwVatwn5bTTcYSQBUHTzqc5gNAJQP-drcPFZO9QGJHZAgl4gIaSUrBxtgjBx/s320/anna.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609139951701573554" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></span></span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">The Elephants "All Dressed Up"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></div><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span">We reached Thrissur on the day of the Pooram at about 7:00 AM and as a result missed out the "Arattu" at both the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Temples. However we were just in time to catch the main elephants leaving the Thiruvambady Temple and accompanied the elephants for a small distance during the Poorapara, which is when various households offer their donation to God, such as rice, bananas, flowers, etc.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagJnMUbdFG8y2MwgQz68CiOGONvyi5esxRqx-rz7GL-cdO3u2hnmG_wG1GodjjP4i1TqUIpAOT0to58x_Rgxp-geMQum_KshMSJ90Lphn_w2jSKir9k4UHgT3DtnMqM1fE3FKtZhWgnuc/s320/pooram5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609228524976338002" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b>Madathil Varavu</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b><br /></b></span></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span">We then headed back to get a bite to eat before slipping out again to catch the Madathil Varavu at the Vadakumnathan Temple Grounds. Three elephants had left from the Thiruvambady Temple and had been joined by two elephants at regular intervals and when the procession reached the Vadakumnathan Temple, the count had become 15. 15 elephants had also arrived at the same grounds from the Paramekkavu Temple. When the elephants reach the grounds, the artists that have accompanied them play the Panchavadhyam. This display was especially entertaining for Praveen, Raja and Me as the artists seemed to be headbanging while playing a few sections of their set.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic23K9twkqh7QY6KUWfJhGzie1ICKUSEi-vICmM39oycXCIb-61RPbt_LpVO2UcOCTXhGGDWq5l34l8_Zea2x3EGOdqgycanMTwc5fDC5vj7bteV2xKQh5oOovYxcs_gvK50fmpMQmN1wS/s320/kottu.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609186967681395250" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b>The Artists travelling with the Procession</b></span></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span">We then hung around near the grounds for a while. We caught glimpses of the elephants taking bath which was a pretty cool sight. The elephants were spraying water all over themselves and over a few of the people that surrounded them as well. There were elephants all around us and when sometimes some elephants even crept up behind us. [:P]</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpPHog9iojcbALAX6gfGog1lLNueUbmGhaaBgihmpZAUmCMWdpsU-HFxHLvlv0Q2OmQaMCNwoCqoWqBqJgaRxkXEwraB0CL5h21foRJAIy4hKq14w8QNkYE2eOVWtagGBCYUcZA_h679Z/s320/bath.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609186438593905298" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b>Elephants Having a Shower</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b><br /></b></span></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span">The Elanjithara Melam was next at about 2:00 PM. This was a musical display by some of the most experienced musicians of Thrissur and the neighboring cities. The entire display is divided into 3 kalams, based on the speed. As goes unsaid, the 3<sup>rd</sup> being the fastest was the most explosive in nature.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsslGuzFEcxvdCYdJZheGCy20kBKhbrBn2BrlDuTSTXf-638rFwUDKTIKax4QwYCwzE_zSIMlOh9wzi2OFTrNVSug60E3PBZaqpvi5jAMpaDUzDedvgawPhjdinHxAybwkpifIkmb1WHR/s1600/pooram2.jpg" style="line-height: normal; " onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnsslGuzFEcxvdCYdJZheGCy20kBKhbrBn2BrlDuTSTXf-638rFwUDKTIKax4QwYCwzE_zSIMlOh9wzi2OFTrNVSug60E3PBZaqpvi5jAMpaDUzDedvgawPhjdinHxAybwkpifIkmb1WHR/s320/pooram2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609228515306498610" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">At the "Headbang" Melam </span></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3J5jJUy04RFJO158BWM0e9HKtgDcFiKgU2X-EFJ7iZyPtU1uFqIqA1Jq3bbR6uCI6avOOuDuw0851BCKagoiug8Q0LIrOBYuabbj4Cu_2pA4G9WrTKI934M-Giy7zoZ0dP3K6ERjyzhS/s320/chendamelam.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609228493857103602" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b>Chenda Melam</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b><br /></b></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span">We went back for lunch and had a bit of rest before we headed to the Vadakumnathan Temple for the Pandi Melam. This was where we got our first taste of the huge crowd. On the way into the temple, we each got about five blows to our rib cage each and it was a sheer miracle that a stampede didn’t break out. We eventually got inside the temple and Praveen and I tried our best to get to the front row (because of our concert mentality). We did get peppered with blows but we did catch a glimpse of the musicians who were performing. The music was pretty good. My favourite part from this set was the Chenda. The format of the Pandi Melam was very interesting to me. The tempo is increased to a certain level slowly then the tempo drops a few notches and then increases again to a higher tempo than the previous time. Ultimately it reaches a very explosive tempo. The entire set is similar to climbing a stairway in the following order – two steps up and one step down – and repeating this cycle until you reach the top of the stairway.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fzpyhzCuUmhjd40eTIwgTGcW5P8F6__ACm9PPd41_LDVB-BCj9tUT8MDlxis_Qw1g-u-r-gD5aUgqqYrodygOcoIsAUUVqCsMAXiIJtf2mbPPxJXW_oTfXOhmyyCI5lFTciRqnT4nu9Q/s320/pooram10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609228785332733170" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 201px; " /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b>Kudamattom</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b><br /></b></span></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Immediately after this was the Kudamattom. This is a competition between the two temples. There are about 15 elephants from each temple that face each other at the Vadakumnathan Temple Grounds and they change the umbrellas that are mounted on the elephants. The umbrellas are all made out of silk and are beautifully decorated. There were over 40 umbrellas that were mounted on the elephants, one after the other. This is the main event of the Thrissur Pooram and about a 100,000 people witnessed this live at the grounds (and we were right in the middle of it all) and many more saw the entire spectacle on their television set. Each time the umbrellas were changed the crowd went into a bout of madness. Some of the umbrellas were very unique and colourful. Many had intricate designs on them which made them look very beautiful.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjivG9T4Hn8vNJ26LUu2o1D4MgJI4Fw2_-j_gq1IRbn15FO_lW7d7cmmqU0QAdh2ahIVOYjaqqp3ytOMLwG_rslWdA0QilkAzoLNFRR7PxlMcGpo8uMQfvwMlhyphenhyphenBPFfnKXIf0HXBDQEqVws/s320/mg9405.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609140738456034418" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 277px; " /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">The Crowd at the Kudamattom and the 15 Elephants</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span">During the night many of the events were repeated again. We picked up my sister, Gauri, and headed to the grounds and caught the Panchavadhyam once again. However there wasn’t much of headbanging this time around. But it was fun nonetheless. We strolled around the grounds for a while and saw numerous people lying around on the streets waiting for the Vedikattu, the pyrotechnic show.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiA_4htTgQ7IYM6X3FNv6PppufjENvzptXOmyEtYZpCMwr4ylsGzEm5UJ0cJkHCgE8Pza4bLL-CzufPqft_2_92MtGEOT5Kb8F2THtcQsTyW7E6J_Tux152NSyeA_QwuwDicv3fPyrNTu1/s320/pooram+thrissur+kerala.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609140356471988242" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">At the Night Pooram..</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span">The Vedikattu was at 3:00 AM and was literally explosive. The fireworks were amazing and the colours that filled the sky were beautiful. According to a website, the Pooram committee had employed a chemist, Dr T.C. Krishnamenon, to bring about the right combination of colours, such as Calcium Chloride for the Orange colour and so on.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0FbkQHaLb_DsIOArXlA7UnyhSHMG4VrR0_EtbURtu512de24y99qPX0Ms8c5DJfL4p2foPQu-IimLBUSKVEhwN979dWLphmqVo7OUZzxRdLr4KXoAuUG3t3f1Y1bTV1xOX6z9T-NcBAq/s1600/3418633590_pooram2_1024x768.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0FbkQHaLb_DsIOArXlA7UnyhSHMG4VrR0_EtbURtu512de24y99qPX0Ms8c5DJfL4p2foPQu-IimLBUSKVEhwN979dWLphmqVo7OUZzxRdLr4KXoAuUG3t3f1Y1bTV1xOX6z9T-NcBAq/s320/3418633590_pooram2_1024x768.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609140394446175426" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">The Vedikattu</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span">After just a few hours of sleep, we woke up for the Pagal Pooram which consisted of a repeat of the Kudamattom and another dose of the Vedikattu. The Kudamattom this time was attended by many families and not just the men. Half way through the event, a few men of the committee came and buried huge containers in the ground. They contained about 10 kgs of gunpowder I’m assuming. We were all asked to clear the ground and we stood on the road waiting for the Vedikattu. This time there were no colours involved, just noise. And the noise was deafening, to say the very least. <span> </span>The entire Vedikattu lasted for about 15 minutes and there were people of all ages standing and trying to cover their ears.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiXpuX9tPj92RrbEsMf4bAcLdXF7SAagx78SuM9t3T0mLffm26h3SzA-bs9Ccs3ZzTrBKDmS3dConHZjCJKIijDQ5ry0ACdEw1D036E4n0mXgzJSfUMNXNBvAaz0Kb4h6jYx31qBin9zO/s320/pooram9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609228775868957122" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b>Kudamattom at the Pagal Pooram</b></span></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCgRS_zvIeyhkLSUgFbTWKV-ww_1EnhMhvVd-LnvTO-92FCvxENPY5Ef00kBylDzAGkMr6Ad9GJcdqA_I7lwLv16UBnVMsJTJPrkA-q4Ef_vPToDCMXYQs0m_gtAuVQE7b3byUc6VTPi6n/s320/cedi.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609139963664929986" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px; " /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b>Reactions to the Pagal Pooram Vedikattu </b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b><br /></b></span></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span>The two main elephants from the two temples then made their way to the Vadakumnathan Grounds. The two elephants faced each other in front of the Vadakumnathan Temple deity, Lord Shiva, and raised their trunks to one another. This symbolized the end of this </span><span lang="EN-IN">year’s</span><span> Pooram events. It was like the two elephants were bidding adieu until next year. We unfortunately couldn’t catch this magnificent event live and had to satisfy ourselves by watching it on television.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Later on in the day, we visited the Thrissur Pooram exhibition, which wasn’t very interesting but fun due to the company. The best part of the Pooram exhibition is the display of the Anna Chamayam, which are the adornments that are placed on the elephants. However, this display is removed a day before the pooram and hence we couldn’t see it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqF3LZPKnMJwiAMHxvu0lJTAkC0l2yhK5WxAy4SnG7iEvL98gw9RRop0z2e9MsSpjHC_AmoVWaA63TbQsgZEsD-NDRUhHCvoFnQOtLwYvbG64cYTxKflzajCfgwAzXqZwppdn384yvPy4c/s320/annachamayam.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609139958535061746" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b>The Anna Chamayam</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b><br /></b></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Finally, a few warnings for those that desire to catch this magnificent treat. The entire event will sap all of your energy due to the excruciating heat. Next, be prepared to catch a few blows and also don’t be afraid to GIVE a few blows if you want to get a good view of the things happening. And never miss out the free drinks that the people give out on the roads. Those are probably the only way you'll get through the entire day.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span">However having said that, neither the heat nor the blows can stop anyone from having the best time of their lives in THRISSUR – GODS OWN CITY, during the Pooram! For those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to catch this magnificent festival yet, please do so as soon as possible. I can guarantee that you will have the TIME OF YOUR LIVES here!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span">p.s. Special Thanks to Praveen, Hari Menon, Manorama for the Photographs. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Cheers<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Hari</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span">amajaniac n so r u</span></p></div>Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-30196564093369758412011-04-28T08:39:00.000-07:002011-04-29T05:05:59.105-07:00Sathyanarayna Raju : A Tower of Gargantuan HopeI've always been at sixes and sevens when the topic of Godmen came to the fore. I've never been their biggest fan and lost any faith I had remaining when the Nithyananda controversy came up.<br /><br />The recent death of Sathya Sai Baba, born Sathyanarayan Raju, lead to an ocean of articles being written about him and his work. A few articles on the darker side of this very same Godman too saw the light of day.<br /><br />I must admit that the concept of a man filling in for God(often even replacing Him), in a land devoid of Gods blessings is extremely attractive. It fits my belief of there being a God in each and everyone of us. Unfortunately, at the same time it stretches the very same concept a bit too far. But thats my personal opinion.<br /><br />However, Sathyanarayan Raju, the mortal behind Sathya Sai Baba, was a pretty extra ordinary human being. It takes an extremely strong will and an enormous heart to do the things that he has done for the materially and emotionally poor of our country.<br /><br />He(The Sathya Sai Trust) funded and oversaw water-related projects, costing an estimated $63 million, which have benefited hundreds of villages in the predominantly drought ridden regions of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. He also built a vast educational system that offers free education all the way from kindergarten to doctoral studies. In addition, he set up two super specialty hospitals in South India that offers treatment for a wide range of ailments, all free of cost.<br /><br />Yes, his Trust probably receives twice the money that they invested in these projects in the form of donations, but it still takes a highly principled man to put all of this money to such great use.<br /><br />Having said that, It was unfortunate that a man who had followers numbering in hundreds of thousands(possibly more) had to resort to cheap magic tricks to capture the belief of a few thousand more.<br /><br />Make no mistake, everyone loves a golden Rolex being pulled out of thin air, but not everyone loves the idea that pulling a watch out of thin air is an act of an incarnate of God.<br /><br />Sathyanarayana Rajus discourses too were a huge benefit to numerous people in our country. He did talk about God and the sacrifices fit for God and so on and so forth, which one may or may not choose to believe in. But at the same time he also spoke about moral values that we needed to have to be good sons or daughters to not just our birth parents but also to our country. He spoke personally to young kids and helped guide them through their education and whatever little troubles they had. He was the guiding force behind numerous families reuniting, and behind men reforming and so on.<br /><br />He was a huge source of inspiration to a large number of people, ranging from the Sachins to the Manmohan Singhs to the people of Brazil to the Ricky Martins. He may or may not have been an incarnation of God but he gave the people what they needed most in the world we live in.He gave the people - HOPE.<br /><br />HOPE and INSPIRATION is something that can fuel a man to no end. The Music Masters rap group in Misrata, Libya is the first example that pops to my head. Using music to inspire the rebels to fight for the people against Gaddafi is an excellent idea. Its their own little contribution which I'm sure will inspire at least a few of the people to fight harder.<br /><br />Whether Sai Baba really had the powers that he claimed to have is a debate that will linger for years but he gave those that believed in him confidence and made them believe that could, nay WILL, definitely succeed and that is something that'll help people remember him for a long long time.<br /><br />Cheers<br />Hari<br />amajaniac n so r u<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlGsQdpl2MvRCVf1y7tjokN_3viM-ltXO1LEn9PMfPz7Mkj2pDtv79ufTW08QNB3Se0u_ylWMFE-J5lCaEgyH0uIkjI0LRVwv3tHnQtKNL7SAg7WwVS_ulQh2rAprngWLQVC1u3rm7Qs8/s1600/IMG_2107.JPG"></a></div>Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-11349667088003109652011-03-25T11:08:00.000-07:002011-03-25T11:51:34.007-07:00TOUR DIARIES - Hyderabad 19.02.2011<div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588085997603205362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzendKOL4REFfdhQI32ho6oVeSiK6Q-4ET1mmxv4fJi7KWkVXE0Z3kdm0NgccUtloUZVDcElkS-18NUQeqHXx217rSdB2Cb1dSjH6OLyplFiDqNxpZhWB5Lwav_jivkYXclyJcOpjKV54p/s320/19022011%2528044%2529.jpg" /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">View of Charminar from the Roadside</span></strong></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>The Level with the clock is the one with the numerous prayer rooms.</strong><br /></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588085299597927010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FHnco3Rs6t3BbeyfhMb-SliWg75zuAkAR-O5b-jFr1X2UxLVd2aGUsDgzdJrEBLOgon7-A_Wevw0oJ8kGYX5E1lUd9WmYxkU4t5-Vx81sE0fRZF_M0L5f9PGFgLHubOWlpgNvAUmksQm/s320/19022011%2528009%2529.jpg" /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">A Closer look at the intricate designs on the entrances to the Charminar</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588085298922450402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3H_rGts0LgvVSazNFjA6Rgv27dwjGhFwcbdfQlb8gJOWoiKAzCJzHh-sef7_oZkXXgdUFSkSv0Z_Sq1t8G_7iIjutvcuTEWDeo6dp27ruJ0M7EZ_7fjGwKwkp3efSXF7QXuK_UiatbZUt/s320/19022011%2528002%2529.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>View of Old Hyderabad from the Charminar</strong><br /></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588085292161315282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbqL4Oh5nkhNnVDqdk1kt3adxpiepuwi16igRpphHmsZK4edndFgl1TEpQIlSJlhRGO-rs2aNsjpQTyFcZEJQ87Lydo2UDvyJo31IoS7_7LRtNsbWWywOBddkm-nndDMBK_PSqYYwlTcb/s320/19022011%2528008%2529.jpg" /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The Artwork on the Ceiling </span></strong><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Also showing the prayer rooms at the second level</strong><br /><br /></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588083279000016210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MruI-nmnqtZyVbwdF5iKOM0K9g4DePfwtFV4tHK_5IO8xSSgPnR2kMJlRG3Ya1CxDKP4Uq01wvmFOS50imGWHNKOxowFKOqIVoANseepkFEwJvG2rfwXlhDpPkRUBCJiTN9UutXjiYjd/s320/19022011%2528033%2529.jpg" /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>View of The Charminar from Mecca Masjid</strong><br /></span><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588083273291367666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsAnjjW9wzNbDmE9wcMAcXzfeSI7GS53NOsmk5grfDjo5vFMm8kgu6OoccA3Y5DWpBqZ5T089TBX-1Z76Sgn_TJm5NEaHfDGrHenpJ9oYgrbQYuKpz6YlUwvRqyHAdQPdZHbIrdToJ52_/s320/19022011%2528035%2529.jpg" /></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>View of The Charminar from Mecca Masjid</strong><br /></span><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588083261545169218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC230ye2xRPwgO94BGvDDRDXBikNiOlvFlgqOrqxhiEVMfd3foP1RqSZqf3subJOCYEUrmqEMpCrS7b-RLogK7-zzCqsGLSodDl5snDwoHRuS_UznYJo5GuP_dWdwQY6NVS-G9JaGz0Mjm/s320/19022011.jpg" /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The four minarets of The Charminar</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Unfortunately wasnt able to get the entire first minaret</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588085990960493778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpZFVsiTwqIvAx43MVvIc62-vQI3V-mFYLZwi2jXAH_XMWtWY1cJvB0pEPLqPNZQ2ChRgG8MBcPfjNTom0GMvhjnp4P_m1EhYTg5TyP-j2l35ArKu87jEKO7royWS7W69VBFi7Hnz2Bzar/s320/19022011%2528026%2529.jpg" /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Raja at the Mecca Masjid</strong><br /></span><div align="center"><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588086550870040690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XaSPr3Yu3mpXe0tmyMbqINC3LKaCYCKCldkIVG7qf3nUWRI20JJuhu04KF2tMDgwhx02BQZdgUgkCY5EJenijTQ8-mHwQKOZRYiowdhKwevfFYRHvh4OR3H8vEO1N2qk7Ky7x3WUwWeF/s320/19022011%2528027%2529.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Prayer Stones Laid Out at The Mecca Masjid</strong><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588083268950401810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzuubNJ6naBHZ6M_XTQvx-czgZMJCeDXeo0dDgJRYm12oKHEI1477gSyXbnskHec0MFqt0dloYAT6uGtp6kZO8XiIeLzqR5-GcH33zfsQvgbnVGqHTE44-F4TowXQkdWk1ppWTvmJixTV/s320/19022011%2528049%2529.jpg" /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Janiacs all are we - Remya, Raja, Me and My Dad</span></strong></div><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588083263767408194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkcPZ6o7AdDdgScuNC6-RaIMUP4HkSaNRPepgLU-f9HpbC2JME9lg5Fgeob3GsV4pCph3jvrcX-VeprgW1K2EeUlT_R0n7Lc9dUW9Ya4yt4i4evA6zyd9t8SVEhE8JDgPKT2OJ9L5xEYM1/s320/19022011%2528059%2529.jpg" /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>My Dad with his face painted</strong><br /><strong>The coolest, most spirited dad you'll ever find [:D]</strong><br /></span><br /><br /><br />A small attempt at a photolog. Pictures taken with a 2MP E63 mobile camera. I'm a begginer so take it easy on me [:P]<br /><br /><div align="left">Cheers</div><div align="left">a\m/ajaniac</div></div>Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-52538093866367502652011-03-23T20:53:00.000-07:002011-10-20T09:53:17.656-07:0019th February 2011 - A Day of Abnormal Awesomeness<p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">This blog has been LOOOOOOOOOOOONG overdue but unfortunately, a certain set of Board Exams got in the way.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">Before I get to the actual content of the blog, there is a small development. I have decided to start blogging about more than just music or atleast try to blog about a few more things. :) Hence the new blog, Diary of a Janiac!</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">Now to describe the awesomeness of the 19th February!!</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">We(Raja, Remya and I) left for Hyderabad on 18th night by bus and reached Hyderabad on 19th morning. We headed over to a friends place and got ready for a full day of sight-seeing and well of course the gig that we had traveled all the way till Hyderabad to watch.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">First we headed to the Charminar. Nestled in what the locals call "Old Hyderabad", the quadruple-towered mosque made for an amazing sight. Right at the centre of the mosque was a moderate size yet intricately designed fountain. Though partially damaged, the minor details of each carving of the fountain piece could still be seen and admired. We then climbed one of the minarets to reach the second level of the tower(the higher levels are sealed off). The second level was the one with the prayer rooms. There were around 30-40 of them, each with a beautiful window and brilliantly carved frames. An unfortunate sight was the numerous etchings on the walls. "Romantics" used the walls of a great mosque and an even greater monument, to proclaim their love for their girlfriends and boyfriends, thinking that they are immortalizing their love when in fact they are defacing an immortal piece of history.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">Right outside this mosque was a small Muslim Shrine where the priest(don’t know exactly what they are called, ulemas? Not sure) offered prayers and applied a grey powder on our foreheads. Right next to this shrine was a Hindu Devi Temple. The amity between the priests and the people too made for a visual treat.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">We then clicked a few pictures and then proceeded to the next monument, Mecca Masjid. There were a huge flock of pigeons sitting at the front yard of the Masjid. Just as we walked in after an extremely brief security check, which consisted of a guard glaring at you, a boy ran right towards the pigeons and made them all fly. A brilliant way to enter a monument huh? [:D]</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">Unfortunately we were unable to enter the Masjid, but we did look around and it was beautiful. There were a large number of prayer stones lined up outside and a priest prayed for us and for our good health.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">We then went to the nearby local Bazaar, famously known as Choodi Bazaar. The Bazaar is especially famous for its pearl jewellery and we did pick up a few pieces of jewellery for our mothers and sisters. There were shops nearby which were also famous for their black metal pieces.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">Next, we visited the Hussain Sagar Lake. However, we didn’t get off the car to take a closer look at the lake and the huge monolithic statue of Gautam Buddha. We did admire the statue from a distance for a while though.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">The next thing on the itinerary was to go home, freshen up and leave for THE concert.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">I was super excited when it was time to leave. It was the first time that I would see the NEW MOTHERJANE live. This was the first time that I was going to see the new guitarist, Santhosh Chandran on guitar. There were a lot of questions in my head. Would he be as good as Baiju? Could he pull off those solos that The God of Small Strings played with such beauty and with such precision? I was excited but I was equally nervous!</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">We reached the venue, after a two hour drive. We had a surprise visitor with us when we left for the venue. MY DAD! My dad was working in Hyderabad during the time. Though he had spent the entire day sight-seeing with us, none of us thought that he would join us for the gig. It was a pleasant surprise to say the least.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">We started the process of donning paints when my dad decided to surprise us once more. He wanted us to paint his face too. He was going to involve himself in every activity and it was super cool of him to do that. [:)]</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">Before motherjane took stage, there were two opening bands that had apparently won some local competition in order to open for the Gods. The bands, however, were pretty ordinary. Then, it was time for MOTHERJANE to hit the stage. The one reason why we had travelled over 500 kms was to see these 5 men rock the stage.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">The Panchari Mellam music started playing and I went high. I was about to see my favourite band live after about four months and it was an amazing feeling. The band soon came on stage and started their set with DISILLUSION. Their energy was infectious and soon the entire VJIET crowd was singing their hearts out. Motherjane performed all of their songs with immaculate energy and the new guitarist was hitting every note perfectly (as far as what the songs sounded like were concerned).</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><iframe title="YouTube video player" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NmEaM7Saslw" frameborder="0" width="425"></iframe></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">This new guitarist was abnormally down to earth too. During the solos on one of the first few songs, Santhosh was standing near his processor and playing the solo. Suraj came over and pushed in front towards the crowd and into the spotlight. It was a really funny moment that one.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">Another part of this gig that I was really looking forward to was Jihad. This was the first time </span>that I was going to hear the Anwar O.S.T live. I loved the track, especially due to the amazing vocals on this track. For the first time in a motherjane song, the vocalist was the one that provided the Indian element to the song.</p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">Unfortunately due to a slight glitch with the speaker on our side of the crowd, we couldn’t hear that song properly. [:(] We soon moved over to the side of the crowd and still got right to the front and soon continued to enjoy the music.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">The solos played by Santhosh and John were splendid. Though the usual Metal Mataram that Baiju played was missing, Santhosh played a brilliant solo which sounded just as beautiful. [:)]</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span><iframe title="YouTube video player" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IYnna2B5tXo" frameborder="0" width="425"></iframe></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span></span><span class="Apple-style-span">My guru, John, played a kickass solo too. Its amazing to see him perform solos live now. The first time he performed a solo live on stage was at Kyra on October 15</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><sup>th</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span"> at Bangalore thanks to a lot of screaming and shouting from us janiacs right at the front. It was a splendid solo filled with various rolls and a few funky beats too and other stuff that I'm not musically literate enough to even begin to understand.</span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">The crowd at VJIET was a really fun one. They were singing every word along with Suraj for every song. It was a heart warming sight.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">All in all, 19<sup>th</sup> February was an amazing day. We went to meet the band after the gig and got ourselves introduced to the new man, Santhosh Chandran. The band was also extremely delighted to meet my father, with his face painted et al.</span></p><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><iframe title="YouTube video player" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WvH2oh9NXNQ" frameborder="0" width="425"></iframe></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">On our way back home, my dad told us what he felt about the concert. He thought that the music was pretty nice but what really struck him was the energy with which they performed. He was especially impressed with Suraj, not just because of the high level of energy but also because of the way in which he interacted with the crowd and brought out the crazy men and women in everyone in the crowd.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">It was extremely inspiriting to see that my dad understood why I loved this band to death and would travel this far 10 days before the start of my exams even though I’ve seen them more than 10 times live before.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">The entire day was a brilliant experience and I don’t think I’ve ever slept with such a huge smile on my face.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">The next day was kept aside for one huge place – RAMOJI FILM CITY. But that story is for another blog. I’ve already written way too much on this post. Unfortunately didnt get pics of the concert but I hope the videos will make up for the long read.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">Special Thanks to youtube user jovanightfall for the videos.</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">p.s. Eva, So sorry for the delay [:p]</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">Cheers</span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">a\m/ajaniac</span></p>Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-56876549381629572502010-10-18T03:40:00.000-07:002011-03-23T08:24:55.679-07:00motherjane unplugged at Kyra - Oct 15th<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQH8ZCB313gZ0p-GqztMw6oAsrIQlOy2gUVso9T746M7migU5BK0RM5GRl_ameVotWKAg6LhDJ0dxN-XWLUPjrbJ9hmzgeF4ULC1Tp-ivP_SFMgeV3DPY7VmbO9FvOjS3FR0tCIrIBz2Y/s1600/67580_10150102461213452_670978451_7446273_6948306_n.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PriKKuVNyViZVJCVnSEFuvMWxdiRfrvmNXpF2YWNoeNPyrl9RlILnZYLSe6lgHgIYHdsc3koX30_wsVHPY31UZ6Uw0DcaML1rcf_42SV88BkUiTgKuHymRKM5z_aVhjyuITYHani44s/s1600/71758_10150102460868452_670978451_7446268_7833429_n.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: left;">After a very very long wait, HEADBangalore had finally been blessed by the presence of motherjane. This was the first ever unplugged gig I was going to see live and the excitement started pumping in me from about a week before the gig itself.</div><div><br /></div><div>October 15th took its own sweet time to come and when it did arrive, it came with a bang. The day started with a birthday party for me and soon, I met up with a couple of janiacs from school(Balaji and Dhruva) and our journey to Kyra began. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>We reached the venue at about 6.30 and I ran inside to the toilet to paint my face. There was a lot of painting to be done. 15 minutes down, I had painted myself and though, many people had questions about my bowel movements due to my extended session in the toilet, I was pretty pleased with the outcome. (It was the first time I painted myself)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcenN4fS02a-lwlSIUlWDctl0T9n8qX4XQ1wLVmCQKwesdD5cL91xFkAgav4cdLhifjwK3h_LzBkKdnQwR8b8maTTuTXAiVjtG2QuOW1MmQr1wO8NMjC8numyiL-0REShhqqJPOWxNPEs/s320/69065_446764404382_682164382_5151426_6167648_n.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529337904312349794" /></div><div>In another half an hour or so, I had finished painting Balajis and Dhruvas faces and we were waiting for the other janiacs to arrive. Soon, the hugest janiacs in Bangalore, Raja and Praveen arrived and in a while, we were all painted and ready for motherjane to hit the stage. We went in and took our seats (read temporary chairs to be sat on till the show began). </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_VrUWotrhOTxsFDiGPaRGirq0oRpBNZLPXGkgHZ4LU7sEDbhHF1p6Gk_jxBIB9oONL9v1X0PWuB8KqjZM9WQqK3XmTmbFf0wTCxErxNvDbuuoEfPvLiKKw62znXL84egHZgTo1O2lLM/s1600/67534_446763774382_682164382_5151418_3199585_n.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA_VrUWotrhOTxsFDiGPaRGirq0oRpBNZLPXGkgHZ4LU7sEDbhHF1p6Gk_jxBIB9oONL9v1X0PWuB8KqjZM9WQqK3XmTmbFf0wTCxErxNvDbuuoEfPvLiKKw62znXL84egHZgTo1O2lLM/s320/67534_446763774382_682164382_5151418_3199585_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529345244121423170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>A few people came to us and asked us whether we were motherjane and I must admit, it felt great to be in the spotlight :P - sadly, good things last for a very short time and the spotlight was soon removed of us.</div><div><br /></div><div>At about 9, the show began with the Gods taking their seats on stage. I ran down from the top floor right to the front. At the start of the show, we all sat on the floor and were left with our mouths wide open at the insane feel and aura around each song. It felt extremely different from a plugged gig and it threw us off our feet. Though we had seen videos of the unplugged gigs previously, the songs when played live right in front of you gave rise to a billion emotions all at the same time within us.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQH8ZCB313gZ0p-GqztMw6oAsrIQlOy2gUVso9T746M7migU5BK0RM5GRl_ameVotWKAg6LhDJ0dxN-XWLUPjrbJ9hmzgeF4ULC1Tp-ivP_SFMgeV3DPY7VmbO9FvOjS3FR0tCIrIBz2Y/s1600/67580_10150102461213452_670978451_7446273_6948306_n.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQH8ZCB313gZ0p-GqztMw6oAsrIQlOy2gUVso9T746M7migU5BK0RM5GRl_ameVotWKAg6LhDJ0dxN-XWLUPjrbJ9hmzgeF4ULC1Tp-ivP_SFMgeV3DPY7VmbO9FvOjS3FR0tCIrIBz2Y/s320/67580_10150102461213452_670978451_7446273_6948306_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529347221644422194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px; " /></a></div><div>They started the gig with Disillusion and Suraj explained the philosophy behind the song and the reason it came about. Soon, they had all of us enthralled and played just about every song from their two albums except for "Ode to Life II" and as Suraj said, they still hadn't come up with the acoustic versions of "Tribes of Babel" and "Jihad" and hence, we couldn't catch them play their newest two singles but none the less, it was a brilliant set.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xSBpS-rarfrJs7fnx16St2ppKioxUMTLDJjvHG6bKhmZetwot4Y9PkjV4NuGTyojdoDvoLGSrtnnsYRMXPgNNpML2YiXwolZMhjnwhlDO9ZRswKKpAUrgFt9V9S4hTJpmusE16_4t1I/s1600/68343_10150102461038452_670978451_7446270_4134829_n.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xSBpS-rarfrJs7fnx16St2ppKioxUMTLDJjvHG6bKhmZetwot4Y9PkjV4NuGTyojdoDvoLGSrtnnsYRMXPgNNpML2YiXwolZMhjnwhlDO9ZRswKKpAUrgFt9V9S4hTJpmusE16_4t1I/s320/68343_10150102461038452_670978451_7446270_4134829_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529345247873283186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 225px; " /></a></div><div>The acoustic versions of all their songs sound brilliant and they have been able to maintain the emotions, energy and sentiment of each song. What I liked best of the entire set was the verse riff on "Mindstreet". It was simply "WOW!".</div><div><br /></div><div>Baiju played a brilliant solo filled with Carnatic Ragas. I never had the chance to ask him exactly what he played but it was a piece that was heavily influenced by Prasanna and had a touch of Western shredding to it. The solo had all of us with our mouths wide open and we were unable to do anything but bow down to the man, nay GOD after that piece. They, as usual, slipped into "Fields of Sound" after his solo. </div><div><br /></div><div>As soon as this solo came to an end, all of us were on our feet, jumping, headbanging and basically having a ball. The solo took the gig one notch higher, if that was ever possible.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another spectacular thing that we discovered over the course of the concert was that Clyde was actually on stage even though he had a splitting migraine. Suraj said that Clyde was the only person who could ever smile even with a migraine and he was spot on, as always. He dedicated "Walk On" to Clyde.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhb-G7ZSCSv4qkFrrPWpneT75tzFDzBbiIPVyrmuKMHGbkaWo6kyodhZwKgUMoNIATWLj3QLprBRhBs62U6fCEJ2j2Vq4J_SjwG_vzm79iHYgfMOcN-WlpbUWlNRTt2wfynmThlsACBg/s320/64974_10150102461468452_670978451_7446278_2453863_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529345239735277250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 218px; " /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Another first in motherjanes profile came on this day. For the first time ever on stage, John Thomas played a drum solo. And I can proudly say that I was one of the loudest voices in the crowd when we chanted his name out really loud to play a solo.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaitKSVkL_gQGU9PneRluX-IzcjY2LV65sbbEWj0afHdVQ_qyLnS9BKDPjImnAa-XXFwsyrFP12_dvx0YTRt6DEg3bsBuzIwDdIEb5za-nqqbgLgPPgL99j-YFj8Hn98HLwASHINEFPh4/s1600/69056_10150102462133452_670978451_7446298_2290016_n.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaitKSVkL_gQGU9PneRluX-IzcjY2LV65sbbEWj0afHdVQ_qyLnS9BKDPjImnAa-XXFwsyrFP12_dvx0YTRt6DEg3bsBuzIwDdIEb5za-nqqbgLgPPgL99j-YFj8Hn98HLwASHINEFPh4/s320/69056_10150102462133452_670978451_7446298_2290016_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529345249431252066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>After the intended setlist, motherjane took a break with a promise to come back and play a couple more. A wait of 15 minutes followed, with some frantic photography taking place on the sides with the band.</div><div><br /></div><div>The band came back on stage and were taking requests. They had played their entire list and were about to play a couple of encores. Everyone voiced their favourite songs. After a few seconds, there was a slight pause in the noise and as everyone was thinking of which song they wanted their favourite band to play, I had a slightly different idea in my head. I screamed as loud as I could, "SILSILA". </div><div><br /></div><div><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QErkHESsKcI?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QErkHESsKcI?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div><br /></div><div>Poor Suraj was drinking water and had to try very very hard not to spit it out, but the band obliged. Well, partly. Baiju played the melody and John gave the beats. We, malus, in the crowd, who knew the song and who knew the legacy that was Silsila sang our hearts out and we had a blast. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYYhcFuY2liriElTOQJFBfi7U9D9Mepx62OL4Jpjlo2pt_8ugTR8MxaQIIXkHPQ0ojimNSIqvZdk2115nfMCksrqKNgabejQ_GaAswP66dDrFOIJkUHBTNhMWrfXCXYUYf7bQqw3x8SU/s1600/69127_10150102462283452_670978451_7446301_6865546_n.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYYhcFuY2liriElTOQJFBfi7U9D9Mepx62OL4Jpjlo2pt_8ugTR8MxaQIIXkHPQ0ojimNSIqvZdk2115nfMCksrqKNgabejQ_GaAswP66dDrFOIJkUHBTNhMWrfXCXYUYf7bQqw3x8SU/s320/69127_10150102462283452_670978451_7446301_6865546_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529345254378624834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div>They then played an encore of Mindstreet. THAT RIFF!! :O -- and unfortunately that was the end of one hell of a night. It was a brilliant night and my first ever unplugged gig was KICK ASS! I hope someone soon brings motherjane back in town because I cant wait to see them again.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PriKKuVNyViZVJCVnSEFuvMWxdiRfrvmNXpF2YWNoeNPyrl9RlILnZYLSe6lgHgIYHdsc3koX30_wsVHPY31UZ6Uw0DcaML1rcf_42SV88BkUiTgKuHymRKM5z_aVhjyuITYHani44s/s320/71758_10150102460868452_670978451_7446268_7833429_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529346171773055970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is the set list for the night :-</div><div><ol><li>Disillusion</li><li>Mindstreet</li><li>Blood in the Apple</li><li>Maya</li><li>Chasing the Sun</li><li>Ode to Life I</li><li>Walk On</li><li>Questions</li><li>Maktub</li><li>Shh.. Listen</li><li>Broken</li><li>Prison Chains</li><li>Before One Million Comes One</li><li>GUITAR SOLO followed by Fields of Sound</li><li>Soul Corporations</li><li>Karmic Steps</li><li>DRUM SOLO</li><li>Mindstreet Encore</li></ol><div>p.s. Special Thanks to Balaji and Praveen for pictures</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers</div><div>a\m/ajaniac</div>Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-41601256683670663872010-10-08T03:34:00.000-07:002011-03-23T08:24:55.702-07:00Movie -- Single Released by Ameeth Thomas of JYG FameOct 5th saw the release of the much awaited single "Movie" from JYG frontmans Ameeth Thomas' new single venture. <div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://bandcamp.com/files/24/51/2451592867-1.jpg" alt="Movie Cover Art" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Starting off with a pretty neat tune, Ameeth really shines on the track with his vocals. I remember a previous review of JYGs where the <span><span>author of the article called JYG very similar to Pearl Jam and found a stark similarity between Ameeth and Eddie </span></span>Vedder. I would say on this track he sounds like a different version of John Mayer, not Eddie Vedder. The Sequencing, Synths and Keyboards done by Prithvi Chandrashekar give a lot of depth to the song and make it all the more fun to listen to. There is a slight funky feel to the song and a bit of a dancable beat to it. </div><div><br /></div><div>The lyrics itself aren't too bad and are pretty impressive but then again, Ameeth is a pretty good songwriter and always has been. Here are the lyrics to the song :-</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></div><span><div style="text-align: center;">I'm standing on the other side </div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm looking on the inside </div><div style="text-align: center;">As I watch you walk away </div><div style="text-align: center;">Into a distant picture frame </div><div style="text-align: center;">There is a voice inside my head </div><div style="text-align: center;">Screaming out but it never said </div><div style="text-align: center;">Please dont go please dont go away </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span><div style="text-align: center;">It feels like a movie </div><div style="text-align: center;">With a tragic ending </div><div style="text-align: center;">And nothing I can do </div><div style="text-align: center;">Can change it </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Is it to late to apologize </div><div style="text-align: center;">Because I did not realize </div><div style="text-align: center;">All the things that I never did </div><div style="text-align: center;">And all the things that i never said </div><div style="text-align: center;">There is a voice inside my head </div><div style="text-align: center;">Screaming out but it never said </div><div style="text-align: center;">Please dont go please dont go away </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It feels like a movie </div><div style="text-align: center;">With a tragic ending </div><div style="text-align: center;">And nothing I can do </div><div style="text-align: center;">Can change it </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Could you hold me one more time </div><div style="text-align: center;">Even if its just a lie </div><div style="text-align: center;">Could you kiss me one more time </div><div style="text-align: center;">Even if its just a lie </div><div style="text-align: center;">Because I need you baby</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Only slight negative point i felt with respect to the song was the transition into the slower part right at the end, though the transition out of it was pretty ok. The transition into it felt pretty shabby and a wee bit sudden.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Nonetheless, it was still a pretty good track and cant wait to hear more from this drunkard :D</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Do listen to the song here : <a href="http://ameeththomas.com/">http://ameeththomas.com</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Buy this song, its worth it!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">p.s : motherjane released video for their single Jihad on the same day, catch the video here : <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb3UuhmwLjU&playnext=1&videos=WrwJUysfZZk&feature=mfu_in_order">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb3UuhmwLjU&playnext=1&videos=WrwJUysfZZk&feature=mfu_in_order</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Cheers</div><div style="text-align: left;">a\m/ajaniac</div></span></span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; white-space: normal; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; "></span></span></div></span></div>Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-24541600265112076402010-08-20T09:10:00.000-07:002011-03-23T08:24:55.769-07:00I TOO BELIEVE IN JIHAD -- thanx to motherjaneAugust 20th, 2010 -- history repeats itself. motherjane releases yet another mindblowing song for the malayalam movie ANWAR, titled JIHAD. <div><br /></div><div>Jihad took me by storm the first time I heard it. I shouldnt say Jihad took me by storm actually. I guess the right way to put it would be to say that Suraj ripped me apart from head to toe. I expected a song with a possible Arabic edge to the riffs and a heavily Arab inspired solo but the vocals would be ordinary is what I thought. OK maybe ordinary is an understatement for a man who has best rock vocalist at AVIMA. So I guess, I expected something less awesome but I guess I should have known better. Suraj caught me from the moment he said "I" from "I believe in Jihad" and I got goosebumps when he sang "Thus my faith speaks to me.. No innocent shall be slain". </div><div><br /></div><div>The first time I heard the song, I heard nothing but the vocals to be frank but then I heard the song again. And again. And again. And over and over again. [:)] </div><div><br /></div><div>The progression from heavy/hard rock to acoustic is smooth and the transition seems so effortless. I change back from acoustic to the heavier riffs and everything too is ever so easy on the listener with Suraj again blowing my mind with his line "Whats alien to heaven.. Is practiced in vain" (I'm sorry if I cant stop talking about how awesome Suraj is on this track. Sincere apologies. But its just way to hard to stop talking about him)</div><div><br /></div><div>The beats are fantastic and yet again my guru, John Thomas proves to us that he is definitely one of the best if not THE best drummer in India. Deepu and Clyde provide just the platform that Baiju needs to set the song ablaze. And like all great Gods, Baiju doesnt fail his followers, he sets the song and our hearts on fire. </div><div><br /></div><div>Suraj never fails to amaze me with his lyrics. I asked him once about how he thinks up of such stuff. And all he said was that they are "simple thoughts". But, every person has simple thoughts in this world, but one man can write like Suraj. The positiveness that flows out of the direst circumstances is just something to applaud. And Jihad, is no less. There is a heavenly touch to the entire song, lyric-wise. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are the lyrics : </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I believe in Jihad</div><div style="text-align: center;">I die to "Him" return</div><div style="text-align: center;">And I know in my heart</div><div style="text-align: center;">"His" will is the sermon</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thus my faith speaks to me</div><div style="text-align: center;">No innocent shall be slain</div><div style="text-align: center;">Louder than most thing</div><div style="text-align: center;">This world shouts out in "His" name</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">All hate is poison</div><div style="text-align: center;">Distilled from pain</div><div style="text-align: center;">And whats alien to heaven</div><div style="text-align: center;">Is practiced in vain</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Whats alien to heaven</div><div style="text-align: center;">Is practiced in vain</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; ">Thus my faith speaks to me</div><div style="text-align: center; ">No innocent shall be slain</div><div style="text-align: center; ">Louder than most thing</div><div style="text-align: center; ">This world shouts out in "His" name</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">I believe in Jihad</div><div style="text-align: center; ">If love is the weapon...</div></div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, Jihad is one hell of a song. I'm hoping to see the song aired on Asianet or Surya or any channel of that sort back home in Kerala. I would love to see the response that the song would get from the non-rock Malayalam masses. I'm sure it'll be positive and I'm sure this song will do much good in this world. [:)]</div><div><br /></div><div>Do check out the song here <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> : http://www.reverbnation.com/motherjane</div><div>then leave a comment here<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> : http://www.motherjane.in</div><div>after that visit this site too <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> : http://www.facebook.com/motherjane</div><div>and maybe visit this one too<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> : http://www.anwarthemovie.com</div><div><br /></div><div>a\m/ajaniac</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-45113940213074488592010-03-08T07:16:00.000-08:002011-03-23T08:24:55.786-07:00motherjane at INCIDENT '10 NITK<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kEZNHK5SUhOxXXYYfSwM1QkqseTAXFYGERjgPlG_mQ72lWAa0qyGUitR3tjDnAqKw15vwL-mHJcih5Bf9VfFti4fLasj9NCvLgDOut7_70izp-8_jaDnyMfSdYLjr0Aan0w59xAw8I4/s1600-h/19047_100513429978299_100000589271516_11278_742057_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kEZNHK5SUhOxXXYYfSwM1QkqseTAXFYGERjgPlG_mQ72lWAa0qyGUitR3tjDnAqKw15vwL-mHJcih5Bf9VfFti4fLasj9NCvLgDOut7_70izp-8_jaDnyMfSdYLjr0Aan0w59xAw8I4/s320/19047_100513429978299_100000589271516_11278_742057_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446309498002686882" /></a><br /><div>27th Feb was a day I marked on my calendar a long while back. It was a day I had been looking for a long long long time. motherjane at NITK, Suratkal! It was like 350 kms away but hell, it was MOTHERJANE! My mom was wary of sending me because it fell right in the middle of my exams, two days before my Comp Exam and a day after my Math Exam. What a time for a concert innit? :P</div><div><br /></div><div>Its actually quite awesome to note that I went for a motherjane concert during my exams during the previous semester too. And I must say, there is nothing that relieves stress and tension like a motherjane concert and a chat with the band. Anyway, on with the show and less of my rants.</div><div><br /></div><div>I reached NITK at about 2 or so, just in time for a solid lunch on the house. :P And soon, the drum techs, band manager and lights technician moved onto the venue to set up John Sirs kit and check out other stuff, so we headed over and got started and I must say, another guy was setting up the international act, Led Zepplica's drum kit, and John Sirs kit was so much bigger compared to the one he was using. It was abnormally funny how people came around saying "Wow Led Zepplica uses a bit kit", while pointing at John Sirs kit and I would say "Nope, thats motherjanes man" :D :D :D - cool isn't it? </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway after a much delayed soundcheck the show actually got under way. I was told by few students of the college that people had been waiting in queues to get inside for over 4 hours. Now those are real janiacs! SALUTE! And the students there had a stall at the entrance where people could get half of their faces painted just like motherjane. I told Suraj Sir when I was driving back to our guest rooms and he was super touched by the gesture. Backstage or something he told me that my friends and I had started a movement, at Hard Rock Cafe when we came with t-shirts that had pictures of us and I felt so proud of myself at that moment and all I could say was "Before 1 Million comes 4" (there were 4 of us who had such t-shirts). But standing in the midst of all of those students who had painted faces and who knew how every song went, I was overtly happy because finally I was with my real brothers and sisters. I was with people who I related to because we all loved motherjane. </div><div><br /></div><div>motherjanes show was power packed from the start. Their entrance was with their usual Kerala music which never fails to give me goosebumps for a reason I'm yet to find. They started their set with Disillusioned, and everyone around me went into a fit. Me? I was already in a fit. :P I was having the time of my life, I was singing my heart out and though my throat was out completely I still sang out with what little remained. I was shocked when people around me joined me while singing. Wow! What a moment. I had never been with such people before. I was used to standing in the middle of a crowd, me and my friends singing while everyone else headbanged due to lack of knowledge of the lyrics but they still had the love for the music. But these guys around me, they had the love for the music and they knew the lyrics. Simply amazing. motherjane played Mindstreet and Blood in the Apple and then came the song I had been dying to hear live. TRIBES OF BABEL! </div><div><br /></div><div>Tribes of Babel is a song that motherjane had written for Amnesty International. Its a song about peace and how music can bring about peace. motherjane took the concept of the people of Babel. The story says that the people decided to build a tower so high that it can touch the heavens and thus they would challenge God and prove that nothing is beyond humanity. God decided that if it progressed as it were then there would be no end to their greed and decided to cast a spell on the people. He decided that the people would all speak different languages. Our wars and our fights are all because we say that "He respects a different religion!" or "She speaks a different language" and in our quest for peace we look for similarities and we loathe differences but motherjane looks at peace different. Imagine a world were everyone spoke the same word or every musician sung the same note and no one was different. Boring? Now imagine the beauty of the differences how, the 1st note and the 5th note in a song are similar yet they are different in their own ways. How you and me are different yet we both share something in common. Peace is when we, and all of humanity learn to embrace our differences and appreciate them. We must respect our differences and not shun them away. This is precisely what Tribes of Babel talk about. Catch live streaming of the song on : <a href="http://www.buffetlibredjs.net/peace.html">www.buffetlibredjs.net/peace.html</a> - it is worth it. Trust Me!<br /><br /></div><div>Now back to the show, motherjane were soon ripping the place apart with Fields of Sound, Maya, Broken, Walk On, Karmic Steps, Before a Million comes One, Maktub and Soul Corporations. A beautiful mix of Insane Biography and Maktub and all plastered out and laid out well beautified for all of us, their fans. A special mention must go out to that solo that Baiju Sir played. I stood in the middle of the crowd speechless for about 10 minutes and then he switched to Fields of Sound and I was thrown of my feet. That guitarist is nothing short of a GOD! He had the entire 5000 or so students sing out "Saare Jahan Se Ache". India was displayed to the world right there. We didnt need a President or a Prime Minister salute the national flag on national television to fill us with a sense of patriotism all we needed was a guitarist like this playing a tune on his guitar and people all around would join hands and sing. Sing for the love of our Nation! Never seen anyone instill a sense of pride in me like he can. Hats off Baiju Sir! :D</div><div><br /></div><div>And before I forget, March 7th was Baiju Sirs birthday. Rush to his profile if you didnt wish him yet. :D</div><div><br /></div><div>Soon after motherjane were an international band called Led Zepplica, a bootleg band of Led Zepplin. I didnt wait to check them out, so you will not be seeing a review on them here. Apologies. </div><div><br /></div><div>So till the next concert! Adios</div><div><br /></div><div>amajaniac n so r u<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div>Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-21682777246183714812010-01-25T09:42:00.000-08:002011-03-23T08:24:55.804-07:00AN ODE TO MY IDOLS - TO MOTHERJANE<div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagXu0iHzNuX8Sk4He7ILeOW4pv5v1hdzjCB_r_3tQPYeyl6YVNGz9y1GhT9r2ZI5iNQsx66uZiKzCL6NoLCc73NqxS1DRL1nTTKdtpf0zA-myaB2f65sR7ziAj4uaf3mQwEEubmYLm70/s1600-h/blag.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiagXu0iHzNuX8Sk4He7ILeOW4pv5v1hdzjCB_r_3tQPYeyl6YVNGz9y1GhT9r2ZI5iNQsx66uZiKzCL6NoLCc73NqxS1DRL1nTTKdtpf0zA-myaB2f65sR7ziAj4uaf3mQwEEubmYLm70/s320/blag.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430735482949359842" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">14 years ago, on Jan 24th, yet another college band went up on stage as a cover up for a band that failed to keep its promise of playing in their college. No expectations whatsoever were around. Their drummer was the club secretary and they had to this show to get the crowd going. They had had just a week or so of practice and were on stage. Their sound check was at 12 at midnight. It went on till about 5 AM. Soon their drummer crashes at his home and leaves home in 2 hours. Everyone is sleep deprived. Yet they are all nervous as its their first show. I have no clue how that show went, but I have to say this band, in just 14 years, has done miracles that most other bands can only dream of. They’ve touched a billion hearts the world over and will always do so. They’re celebrities in their own right yet remain firmly rooted to the ground and have no air around them whatsoever. A band that has done everything from rocking the most unruly crowd to opening for major international acts like Megadeth to Opeth to rocking HIV positive kids. This band is one like no other. This band is MOTHERJANE!!!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Many people have asked me why on earth I’m so addicted to motherjane. My reply to them has always been “It is written” or “MAKTUB”. I don’t know why that is my reply and I will always keep wondering and never figure out an answer. But come to think of it I don’t think there can ever be a better reply. I’ve never pressurized anyone to listen to motherjane; I’ve only expressed my love out in public. But many a times, I’ve had many people come to me and asked for their music. They’ve come to me and said “Wow! This band is brilliant”. I’ve bonded with men from Java over motherjane, more notable people like Thoriq Arridlwan Aria and Ben Prasetyo. I’ve known these men only from facebook. But Thoriq is one man who was so touched by the music since they played the first note at Java Rockinland. Thoriq is one proud janiac, his display picture right now on facebook is that of him and his friend standing with John, the drummer and Suraj, the vocalist/lyricist. I’ve bonded with men and women and even kids my age, just a tad bit older, even a few younger and the only thing we have in common is our love for motherjane.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">motherjane, motherjane, motherjane! It’s the only word that I chant all night and day. If I’m writing an exam, I’m superstitious enough to wear a motherjane t-shirt inside. I play the drums. I’ve learnt for just about a year or so. I dream of making a band and blah blah. And if I said that I don’t dream of becoming a band like motherjane I would be lying. BIG TIME!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But I swear to God, everytime I play on a stage I’ll pray to God, yes, but I will definitely pray to JOHN THOMAS, my guru, to watch over me, in spirit, as I play my set. I’ll pray to SURAJ MANI, to be by my side, as I recall every word of his advice that I have been blessed to have. I’ll pray to CLYDE ROZARIO, pray so that I can get his temperament and loyalty to the music that flows through our bodies. I’ll pray to BAIJU DHARMAJAN, pray that I can be truthful to what I play and never forget the path that I have followed to reach the destinations that I hope to reach. I’ll pray to DEEPU SASIDHARAN, pray that not only do I play my instrument with as much love as he does but also that I can carry off an attitude like his on stage. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">This band has produced some of the best sounding songs that has ever been made in India. And the most admirable quality about them is the fact that not only are they extremely patriotic, they are extremely proud to be patriotic. They end their set at every show with the words “Jaya He! Jaya He! Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya He!” from our national anthem. Baiju plays his rendition of Vande Mataram, admirably named Metal Mataram by few, during every gig. And each time (I have no clue about the notes mind you) it sounds so different in a way very motherjane. I hope that makes sense but its very true. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">motherjane has brought out two albums and one EP in these 14 years. The EP got lost in the wilderness of Indian rock but there albums have been received with so much love and affection from people from all walks of life and their upcoming albums too shall be extremely well received. They brought out Insane Biography in 2003 with their ex-guitarist Rex, he currently plays for Avial which is also a super awesome band. They brought out Maktub in 2008. They released in a way no other band had. They had a web release! Their idea behind it was that they would be close to their fans on this very special day. They believed that this was the album that would give them the break that they deserve and my goodness, has it given them a super huge break or what? They’ve won the AVIMA and they’ve rubbed shoulders with Mr.BIG. They’ve extended their fan base from a few hundreds to many thousands or is it millions. They’ve grown from strength to strength and they shall always do so. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Their contract with Aum-I Artistes states that they must produce 5 albums in 5 years and they’ve produced 1 in 2 years. So we’ve got three years and four albums coming out! JANIACS I SWEAR TO YOU WE ARE IN FOR A HUGE TREAT!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Nelson Mandela once said that he dreamt of a while guy walking hand-in-hand with a black girl and vice versa. I don’t have such huge dreams. But I have one dream that many janiacs that I know will proudly support and stand up and say “Yes! I’ve dreamt of this too”. I dream that one day 5 men going by the names Suraj, John, Deepu, Baiju and Clyde will walk with head held high onto a stage and thousands of men stand up and clap in awe. They’ve just won the GRAMMY!!! They lift up their newest addition to their trophy case and then suddenly boys and girls in black t-shirts with motherjane written on them storm the hall and they sing out proud :-<br /><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">YOU ARE THE BEAUTIFUL NOTE IN A SYMPHONY OF SPIRITS</span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">A THREAD IN A TAPESTRY OF DREAMS</span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">WHERE EVERY COLOUR BLENDS TOGETHER</span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">LIKE THE DROPLETS, THE OCEANS, THE RIVERS AND STREAMS!!</span></span></b><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">motherjane is not just the first but the only band I know off that has composed haikus. They’re called the Odes to Life. And they seriously are! What John Keates did in Ode to Autumn in 3 stanzas, Suraj Mani did in the four lines on both tracks. The two odes to life talk about two faces of the same coin, LIFE and DEATH and yet both have a positive ending. I feel that one of the best things about motherjane, which other bands lack, is the fact that each one of their songs ends on a positive note. Take Broken, it switches from such a dire topic to a supremely positive note on the ability of humans to be courageous. I personally love that a lot about them. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">No post on motherjane is complete these days without mentioning Eva Dowd, their online promoter. She has helped this band reached out to so many more people than motherjane personally ever dreamed off. Any post that involves me has the words “motherjanes no.1 fan”. I’ve thought of this tag. I’ve been called motherjanes biggest fan by so many people. But come to think of it honestly, I’m just one of them. There are so many out there who are as crazy about motherjane as I am maybe even crazier than me. I’ve had the honor of getting to know a few. Infact I actually want to take up this space to thank my cousin, Raja. He was the one who made me listen to my first motherjane song. Without him, who knows, maybe motherjane might have just sounded like a joke to me. There is one fan. RAJA! Then there is JABRI! There is NIKHIL! There is DAMIEN MARWEIN! (Very few named. Pardon me for omission of any names) There are ever so many and I have blessed with the company of only few of them but I am sure there are tons more out there who will give their life in support of this band. So to all the janiacs out there, here is yet another one of you, raising a toast to all of us who have proudly stood by our one true love – MOTHERJANE! And I’m sure I speak for all the janiacs out there when I say that we will always proudly stand by your side when all of us together <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">CHASE THE SUN! </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i>Here is wishing you a happy "anniversary" / "birthday" once again motherjane! May your songs dominate our souls in all the years that we may live.</i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">AMAJANIAC!!!</span></b></p>Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-69978039068731346022009-09-30T08:38:00.000-07:002011-03-23T08:24:55.836-07:00motherjane @ Hard Rock Cafe - 24.09.09motherjane had performed at Bangalore 12 days ago as part of Times of India International Arts Festival. That was in between my exams but this time around, it was after those irritating hours in a small room, similar to a prison chamber, with endless droning hours in front of sheets of paper that you barely understand head or tail of. And this time around, i vowed to enjoy this day like I've never enjoyed any day of my life. The day started with me jumping out of bed with butterflies in my stomach. Because today was the day that I was going to give something in return for all those brilliant notes of music that those 5 fine gentlemen have supplied to me. Today was the day when I was going to give them just as great a feeling as they had given me when they all sang happy birthday to me at Opus.<br /><br />So before I get to the concert. Let me tell you what this kickass surprise was. And trust me, if you were a part of the crew that gave this surprise, you would have woken up with butterflies in your stomach too. Well here goes. Me and three other diehard janiacs that I know decided to paint our faces and make a t-shirt of our own. This idea came up when I logged on to pringoo.com and decided it was time to buy the motherjane t-shirt. The hopeless choice of colour ranging from baby pink to bright orange inspired the idea of coming up with our own t-shirt with our own faces painted on them. We could flaunt them and it would be truly ours. The t-shirt says AMAJANIAC. This is, in physical sense, the title of one of the songs that Suraj Sir has written. However, to us, it goes way beyond just a song. It represents the collective sense of belonging that we feel towards the band. It represents that spirit that dwells in us. It represents our true selves. It represents us!<br /><br />We took an entire day to paint our faces and pose for our photographs and everything. I even made pizza and went on to be complimented as being a kickass cook which drove me to make dinner that night. We didnt really bother going to photo studio to get our faces done. We had a one lakh camera in our midst and we decided we'll do all the photo shooting at home. We had a black lamb of god t-shirt for a background, and thats quite an insignificant thing compared to the fact that we kept pillows on the chair and sat on the pillows to make sure our height was just right for the photo, which was on auto-shoot mode. LOL!<br /><br />Our day turned out to be an out-right sucess, as you may see for yourselves.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDfaYGV5yZLwGQIK3N3xxsYECwWoeB-i3cpnp_XY85ViWA1JGJgjk1RDz3XbJ1y6Hes5gZbF7kWi8I5gMPqfFk384IOOF5ptc4N8p8YqCjxhDKaR2DZsm68fHSrUcVDvdV_-mSXj6dV4/s1600-h/resizedme.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDfaYGV5yZLwGQIK3N3xxsYECwWoeB-i3cpnp_XY85ViWA1JGJgjk1RDz3XbJ1y6Hes5gZbF7kWi8I5gMPqfFk384IOOF5ptc4N8p8YqCjxhDKaR2DZsm68fHSrUcVDvdV_-mSXj6dV4/s320/resizedme.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387294586500797746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">JABRI - a.k.a. PRAVEEN :P</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroHvkmotGhcMXvbhaerj7TpHUn1Wr0aQqYVRv_wHsKCLj2aNL3NULzS-UR__5ck8yBgpdku2XFiU3OquWk2mfk4-X_DzFJXNSkg5Op-ONegudC-UEJWhv1ixofYh7tG0gZai18iKBzIk/s1600-h/naviedited.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgroHvkmotGhcMXvbhaerj7TpHUn1Wr0aQqYVRv_wHsKCLj2aNL3NULzS-UR__5ck8yBgpdku2XFiU3OquWk2mfk4-X_DzFJXNSkg5Op-ONegudC-UEJWhv1ixofYh7tG0gZai18iKBzIk/s320/naviedited.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387294584160798882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">HARI - a.k.a ME</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">:P</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLMvXx10BlFrDUgHl-t9Z4ACI411SdeDAFdR0qMdNGjYQCSOYERWZp3p7g4-qnn9jOpYtGsROajFHaUuBGFokKp_FmlXSww05oP40eJ8TXX_GGabKBVFgM5rTIr-cKvUZvsBbimHwMxI/s1600-h/rajaedited.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLMvXx10BlFrDUgHl-t9Z4ACI411SdeDAFdR0qMdNGjYQCSOYERWZp3p7g4-qnn9jOpYtGsROajFHaUuBGFokKp_FmlXSww05oP40eJ8TXX_GGabKBVFgM5rTIr-cKvUZvsBbimHwMxI/s320/rajaedited.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387294576368517362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">RAJA</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVv4PEhX8nI2uBQIGptftsypYGPeVKL1Z2fljoauO3b9WnMm_otmFPza0_KZsS0n_CzLLnYEZ60zdtRgz95CP-eR3SIAfeSfekAfHNE5MyyVJdyepfb_CA6JyPGDJo3OyFexs37xBut50/s1600-h/nikhiledited.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVv4PEhX8nI2uBQIGptftsypYGPeVKL1Z2fljoauO3b9WnMm_otmFPza0_KZsS0n_CzLLnYEZ60zdtRgz95CP-eR3SIAfeSfekAfHNE5MyyVJdyepfb_CA6JyPGDJo3OyFexs37xBut50/s320/nikhiledited.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387294566095728130" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">NIKHIL</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Well, those are our painted faces and that was just one half of our adventure. We then shifted the photos onto t-shirts and the front said AMAJANIAC and had our face. The rear had the chorus of the song written.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZQlmO1TaH0gP_EMu-js6vYuhRAjavSjyqsnDyZCPR4D0S3cKYHcTJjCpnY8iY84JD49Dq0ntZdxEeX85ayKkb2fej2TXg4ScFN4_BuReBctWK55ECB_YE-zFQcd56IcKrCb1LHFJt48/s1600-h/amajaniac4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZQlmO1TaH0gP_EMu-js6vYuhRAjavSjyqsnDyZCPR4D0S3cKYHcTJjCpnY8iY84JD49Dq0ntZdxEeX85ayKkb2fej2TXg4ScFN4_BuReBctWK55ECB_YE-zFQcd56IcKrCb1LHFJt48/s320/amajaniac4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387302296540658242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">I WOULD UNDERSTAND IF YOU SAID THAT POSING IS AN UNDERSATEMENT</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7lJUJU93nQ50-x-x8VMenJ1FD0SteZsdlWa4DraDew2ctdSXL2K-AEvJC1btBK101qLlxa4MIpWQEU97-apFJGkQE9kXGTNeFLA1yRfnAZii-rBsqj0aZU7mYKRyK0YuOXFIYyxs8FU/s1600-h/amajaniac2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7lJUJU93nQ50-x-x8VMenJ1FD0SteZsdlWa4DraDew2ctdSXL2K-AEvJC1btBK101qLlxa4MIpWQEU97-apFJGkQE9kXGTNeFLA1yRfnAZii-rBsqj0aZU7mYKRyK0YuOXFIYyxs8FU/s320/amajaniac2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387302283239154882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">THATS US - JABRI, RAJA, NIKI n ME - JANIACS FOREVER</span><br /><br /></div><br />Now, for the big day. THE CONCERT! I was as nervous as I was when I went for my very first concert. We went to the venue with this t-shirt well concealed. An hour or so before the gig was to actually start, we decided it was time. FOR PAYBACK(refer to my last post)! :P - we called all the members of the band and made sure they could see us all and we slowly removed the shirts we wore on top of our t-shirts and we revealed our t-shirts and the moment they saw it, they were stunned. They had emotions running from shocked to happiness to crying out in joy to excitement to any emotion you can name. It was all there. I personally was extremely happy that they loved it. Mission Acomplished! This was one of the dreams that motherjane had envisioned when they started off as a band and I was really quite proud of myself to have been a part of this. I was proud that I had done what I wanted to do and that feeling is simply unmatched. We then took snaps with the band.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0l12BZ7A1F-9EYYibdXYG_ObTjHGnXuawpj30BpAt73lHxywEthookLEc2NmCKZwJ1hHyktWA70kKXNyE06o7ry9p5x5RJ4tquMQr_rUoDs1N3AtqaiY1ayyJ5IY0773-X0IrXIQ-3A/s1600-h/amajaniac1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0l12BZ7A1F-9EYYibdXYG_ObTjHGnXuawpj30BpAt73lHxywEthookLEc2NmCKZwJ1hHyktWA70kKXNyE06o7ry9p5x5RJ4tquMQr_rUoDs1N3AtqaiY1ayyJ5IY0773-X0IrXIQ-3A/s320/amajaniac1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387310576289195218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">US AND THEM!</span><br /></div><br />Infact, a cameraman from Deccan Chronicle came up to us and asked us to pose for him. That was my first taste of the celeb life [:P].<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6ygC7ljhNwuSrePDZsmIG5s9Vy0GnctlCXg4cOu3Y4umLSVMjT3JA67QC_WNmBD2e-I48KvYpl-S3jjK6jRqCzjwyAUjLISrY4t2q3WY_fN1B38vXYFZt-R2BXQVqO7UelCy8qFVAM8/s1600-h/amajniac5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 131px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6ygC7ljhNwuSrePDZsmIG5s9Vy0GnctlCXg4cOu3Y4umLSVMjT3JA67QC_WNmBD2e-I48KvYpl-S3jjK6jRqCzjwyAUjLISrY4t2q3WY_fN1B38vXYFZt-R2BXQVqO7UelCy8qFVAM8/s320/amajniac5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387302308517324674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">MOTHERJANE @ HRC - I'M SURE BANGALORE FELL IN LOVE :P</span><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzv48viXmMfJZ2ESQuHZQPU-S2g6Zr_lj3-24fS1KJln4dYIhKeZk8v77JYWjvw56VegTEM4CwYjvaC753AyZj6bb55_qrFntqWC5a3H2W130i3bst53BZTCnhTJTtElPhZ6xdaCS_FSY/s1600-h/amajaniac6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 111px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzv48viXmMfJZ2ESQuHZQPU-S2g6Zr_lj3-24fS1KJln4dYIhKeZk8v77JYWjvw56VegTEM4CwYjvaC753AyZj6bb55_qrFntqWC5a3H2W130i3bst53BZTCnhTJTtElPhZ6xdaCS_FSY/s320/amajaniac6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387302304775230450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">AND THATS CLYDE ROZARIO ON THE BASS</span><br /><br /></div>The concert began soon later and we were once again doing what we truely loved. We were watching our favourite men doing what they do best. Rocking! And rocking real hard at that. They played all their songs, except Prison Chains, Shh.. Listen and the Odes to Life. A couple of my classmates came for the concert. One of them came for his first ever concert. It was such a pleasant sight to see him thoroughly enjoy himself, but it came as no surprise, everyone thoroughly enjoys themselves at a motherjane concert! And so will you, if you go for one! [:D]. And thats a decision you'll never repent. I'll even buy you a ticket. Hehe! Anway, signing off folks! [:D] Sorry for the long read couldn't help. [:)]<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxK97xrAyTJNai5sWnZXdUyxVbqoSqZlUIG94PhmAKUOGyJhyBDURncV4Vr198A34Eiqc9KMvWnSZBqSYxZHIbfh-hNuROFoQjZuERCqd6PhyphenhyphenuPKKrk1bC9GQKI2z0gQun8k4gfKfggc/s1600-h/IMG_0267.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxK97xrAyTJNai5sWnZXdUyxVbqoSqZlUIG94PhmAKUOGyJhyBDURncV4Vr198A34Eiqc9KMvWnSZBqSYxZHIbfh-hNuROFoQjZuERCqd6PhyphenhyphenuPKKrk1bC9GQKI2z0gQun8k4gfKfggc/s320/IMG_0267.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387310591958758034" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">ROCKING BANGALORE</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnk2GerrzQazYiAa8bClb3janTD1O6wK-XfSTcU2YfJXBfQCvtlGVx7QNEVowQ2Qyi_xDQ7-iwaimUhlD2ejm6dGmHsDK9PxW2BJQHBTWv8CqI8dCM2bm1WFauRRy7Y2KE3omqBGy454Y/s1600-h/IMG_0269.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnk2GerrzQazYiAa8bClb3janTD1O6wK-XfSTcU2YfJXBfQCvtlGVx7QNEVowQ2Qyi_xDQ7-iwaimUhlD2ejm6dGmHsDK9PxW2BJQHBTWv8CqI8dCM2bm1WFauRRy7Y2KE3omqBGy454Y/s320/IMG_0269.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387307741307111618" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">SURAJ MANI - PASSION REDEFINED<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MfF7j6D_5p-vd6w09meJg4FF-xPUjrVpAaEWevgXjXcj1R0Lqw2WXn5TXgF6jdhF2z4HI_kLbP79rox0EdMFet1BNwgFAYFJENwWnfmXRAFhUdyuvrDh1dHfXFP85L5hW-H4bG7joSk/s1600-h/amajaniac7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MfF7j6D_5p-vd6w09meJg4FF-xPUjrVpAaEWevgXjXcj1R0Lqw2WXn5TXgF6jdhF2z4HI_kLbP79rox0EdMFet1BNwgFAYFJENwWnfmXRAFhUdyuvrDh1dHfXFP85L5hW-H4bG7joSk/s320/amajaniac7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387302290066028754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE GOD OF SMALL STRINGS - if you ask me he is the GOD OF ALL STRINGS<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0KCDQU_PmfFtg7X-5c2OMX7ZOwBIEv_oQrK9YxmLsecrK5kSNgItyzGESbIpQFIJTe4xpR_uKMir_Z0kDTTmEEYvcYbRvJDwl8TDTvoZfoeujev9QpZZlt6S9S8h-qT55nrRDJM2clM/s1600-h/IMG_0251.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0KCDQU_PmfFtg7X-5c2OMX7ZOwBIEv_oQrK9YxmLsecrK5kSNgItyzGESbIpQFIJTe4xpR_uKMir_Z0kDTTmEEYvcYbRvJDwl8TDTvoZfoeujev9QpZZlt6S9S8h-qT55nrRDJM2clM/s320/IMG_0251.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387306501932491730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">ME n MY GURU - JOHN THOMAS</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0R7rNx90iGKu7ZNUTqB_84WFSjLdKje7Bg5Tdrw8t4QjcXp2_zkTUYXIC39jlubGLUj2i8hPSrdATEvHrnVudXVyCDD53jL0dFkyEK3I4RtWMLJy4qA-K5_wntKY6FxWD0SdZC5p4enI/s1600-h/IMG_0253.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0R7rNx90iGKu7ZNUTqB_84WFSjLdKje7Bg5Tdrw8t4QjcXp2_zkTUYXIC39jlubGLUj2i8hPSrdATEvHrnVudXVyCDD53jL0dFkyEK3I4RtWMLJy4qA-K5_wntKY6FxWD0SdZC5p4enI/s320/IMG_0253.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387310601578277506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">ME WITH THE BUDDHA ON BASS - CLYDE ROZARIO</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And before I sign off, here is a small song that I wrote about motherjane. Its my first song about them and hopefully the first of many to come. Read and enjoy. [:)]<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Child of motherjane</span></span><br /><br />We've all had our share of dreams<br />Blinded by faith and tested by time<br />But I've got a new saviour<br />That'll carry me through just that<br /><br />A bond that I shared<br />Since I heard the first note<br />A bond that lingers<br />In every move of my soul<br /><br />Each beat, each note,<br />Every melody is now<br />A part of me and it shall<br />Always be<br /><br />Coz<br /><br />I am a child of motherjane<br />A man that stands tall among many<br />And forever flying towards the stars<br />To reach his one true love "MOTHERJANE"<br /><br />The lessons I've learnt<br />through just your songs<br />And lessons I shall learn<br />from nothing but your presence<br /><br />Your faces feature in all my dreams<br />And your music flows through all my veins<br />And I am really blessed coz<br />You not just show me in yourselves, you<br />Give voice to all of my thoughts<br /><br />And<br /><br />I am a child of motherjane<br />A man that stands tall among many<br />And forever flying towards the stars<br />To reach his one true love "MOTHERJANE"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Looking forward to your comments about it.<br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div></div></div><br />Cheers<br />Hari<br />amajaniac n so r u<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-28275474891901003062009-09-25T00:38:00.000-07:002011-03-23T08:24:55.857-07:00motherjane - sep 12th - @ OPUS<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The Times of India International Arts Festival brought together some of the biggest names in the world arts field together in one city. Spread over about two weeks or so, this was one gala event with over 20 artists performing. Out of that 20, I was stunned to find an artist that I least expected in that list - MOTHERJANE. <div> </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ue4wJDKItLWVGbW_VhQexM8OfswKU9ouZtu8YIYl0GR2OFg6ktxkML1Jc4V6vayJzOZ0ZxJFTHZOFqhWtvLUet4lhUy0SM6Y6f5Fsn8U2bXteGZJeLp8tK-Wi4MOQmTViNGq0n_0bGY/s320/clyde.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385324039252177794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>CLYDE ROZARIO - BUDDHA ON BASS</b></div><div><br /></div><div>motherjane played at Opus, Brookefield on the 12th of September, just a day before my birthday to those unaware. [:P] For a janiac like yours truly, there is no better birthday celebration that this one. It had been quite a while since I last saw them live. That was at Le Rock if I'm not mistaken. And for an impatient man like me thats a loooooooong time. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilisq3-G3plH4wHhK31jZ1y8p2VDSJex8POLkv1GWt8mVWbzhjnoWcvC1PUFmOTf90qwNU_w6M3mYQmqzjU4VFgTDIOuTX8njwIjRpIVS3HK9b4Vg4RnUFik40WlOO6horPTTDE29owUk/s320/suraj.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385324029136423890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">SURAJ MANI - SINGING SENSEI</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I got to the venue, which I would say fails to fall in the boundary of Bangalore but well, no complains. The show, started off at about 9 or so and my was it a blast from the beginning. They started of with a kick ass rendition of Disillusion. The song has been made slightly heavier and gives it a perfect feel to either headbang like never before or jump and just have fun throughout. The crowd, most drunk, went berserk from the start to the end. Most carried on being berserk even after the show ended. [:P]</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU4JQZcEtt6dtmLmQwe4rmbP58BSu9PFR48K4j4SK3QnXSYbPsO-34KHk0utfVZAc5zMdXRQuebTUqIsXs-bGoRNblNPbE9VKDJoNMxNDvyNOL5IdGUpiLPJ2OSbdR-PhHFDl9qMbwyA/s320/john.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385324049895400802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">JOHN THOMAS - THE METRONOME</span></div><div><br /></div><div>motherjane, I've always said is the perfect example of a vortex of energy combined with 5 musically brilliant men combined with a bunch of great gentlemen. Throw in some passion in there and voila, you've got your men of dreams. They played a really good mix of tracks from both their albums. They've got four more albums coming out in four more years and I am super excited. Their next album, as announced by Suraj at Opus is to be titled "Graffiti Without Walls" because music in its truest meaning is really graffiti without any barriers whatsoever. Its the will and wish of the artist to create music in his/her own manner. And its the will and wish of the listener to interpret in his/her own manner, so music quite aptly fits the definition graffiti without walls.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAINfQNucialFnKMsoZWtUo-3q4TXtqB9FAHfIBZWLMjAtu0ARA6dYATGMf9vb_2IyYi7uqE9Oxr4h8qAFdXiCTVq59uB0cLxdwmMOj27iIDlt3pI9ZA0muJFxPesiLbUHP7LRahsnYC8/s1600-h/deepu.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAINfQNucialFnKMsoZWtUo-3q4TXtqB9FAHfIBZWLMjAtu0ARA6dYATGMf9vb_2IyYi7uqE9Oxr4h8qAFdXiCTVq59uB0cLxdwmMOj27iIDlt3pI9ZA0muJFxPesiLbUHP7LRahsnYC8/s320/deepu.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385324019906535554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">DEEPU SASIDHARAN - SIX STRINGED SPARTAN</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div>The crowd really had an amazing time and I, personally, had a superb birthday in advance. They were many hilarious incidents during the show some of which require personal sight of the situation to really laugh out loud.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5jTEAPkiit9JjC-Gny5hg_Z4HwCQGpDLs72nGOo3m8azaK-noi9wrxY97BgE1C65310aHU6ZMUCtqUIRhdadmLEg0Kzle_Xs5Pha4Cgl5DwoBEBISd0hImaRTEBVsr8XufsIB6guvKQ/s320/baiju.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385324034152837586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>BAIJU DHARMAJAN - GOD OF SMALL STRINGS</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b></b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>The crowd was so enthralled by motherjane that it got motherjane to play an encore of Chasing the Sun and the band gratefully obliged. motherjane kicked ass on 12th and after the concert we settled down for a nice dinner. And I was pleasantly surprised when the whole band sang Happy Birthday at 12 o'clock. If I'm not mistaken, I felt my eyes water right there. My that was a really touching surprise and I vowed to surprise them just as much and read my next blog to find out what I and a bunch of friends of mine did to get even [;)]</div><div><br /></div><div>cheers</div><div>Hari</div><div>amajaniac n so r u</div>Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-5451362666864657842009-08-08T04:09:00.000-07:002011-03-23T08:24:55.874-07:00Junkyard Groove at OPUS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlC8-bOCq9lA7_bLq5BgPyinoTx24U_8LMh6ZunLKrtQciUZyJb37quptd3OIbBjxGQ1sq20BYSEOG1KGNSyamtNgHuQ6lEPE8zfOlnpnyyulhZDhjNNtL3RmCNXCnU8nf90aL17WqP-s/s1600-h/25072009141.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NudW0R8Mk2G7SJFkfgAj9cltqMdY4bzW8AUdialsKyi73hsVb7rOu50QgnkdLmZF6r96XJ8btIYrvotREmH0Qf4gue_fOOMWpoJNhr-TvT170Jb1x4Yb-ncC-aujmjim1FvL_PB_B4s/s1600-h/4.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_NudW0R8Mk2G7SJFkfgAj9cltqMdY4bzW8AUdialsKyi73hsVb7rOu50QgnkdLmZF6r96XJ8btIYrvotREmH0Qf4gue_fOOMWpoJNhr-TvT170Jb1x4Yb-ncC-aujmjim1FvL_PB_B4s/s320/4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367576892289993394" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Junkyard Groove last came to the Garden City for a show at the Kyra Theater(just a fancy name to say a pub with sky-high prices) and their set consisted of about four songs and a Folk You encore. They were exceptionally great and it was the first time I heard Feel Like a Knife, Twinkle and Hold. Amazing Songs! But the time slots didn't help one bit.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhbTPOpI5M1TsratX_m1fblDU_EY6t7PVWZg7oIk6XLglsNwaLc3qHBFUGMmJFiENx3yjlHS_KHw2vpIsnpmjkn5RD0lKw876uZ8ShkwljCtHO7rbHgXosP9yaMLcy_JYzLpJURKFNkA/s320/1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367576880238231314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 220px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>JUNKYARD GROOVES NEW T-SHIRT DESIGN!</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Like a month or so later, news spread that they were coming back again for THREE shows. Two at Opus, priced at 510 bucks each. Bam! Major Setback! But then, I was rather firm that I had to go for it. I knew all of their songs at last and could jump and sing to my hearts content. And Opus is a way better place than Kyra for a JYG Show.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76cqqs0QNYLhi6gZwx4J46rZl-XO1k5e06qVJkIBAlQ9R4_1XhjlpA0CiqpEvM9EhRixblz5qpVcqZ91qgbotHV-aijNFqVbxTwkJMpqzYsbEdBnAjgU8KZ_Due_Gaqij_spYAF4GLGY/s320/null-friction.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367570106731372162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> <b>NULL FRICTION</b></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div>At about Nine, Null Friction from Chennai took the stage and belted about 4 or 5 classics and ended their set with Another Brick on the Wall by Pink Floyd. It was amazing finish to their set and got the whole crowd going. Got me going, at least. Everyone was belting out anti-education lines and that was such a treat for a student like yours truly. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Junkyard Groove took the stage by storm soon afterward. With a brilliant set, it completely outclassed their last show at Kyra by a really large margin.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHW8VXTU6jdPjGBSpsPgcypAckDEE3rXLP6WECdh4M5_xB8nfgKPNQ9al-HyBNH1eifLpC371rz-0FKwPkIQUjLmEjlDJg8HPYqqYQziY3W40hW4z_PBBPIEwosLL7dk-bPLpkDFwJM8/s1600-h/5852_130406100659_671540659_3683126_6521352_n.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHW8VXTU6jdPjGBSpsPgcypAckDEE3rXLP6WECdh4M5_xB8nfgKPNQ9al-HyBNH1eifLpC371rz-0FKwPkIQUjLmEjlDJg8HPYqqYQziY3W40hW4z_PBBPIEwosLL7dk-bPLpkDFwJM8/s320/5852_130406100659_671540659_3683126_6521352_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367570109207896818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div></div><div>The started of with one of my favourites IMAGINE. Followed by another classic Rock 'n' Roll! Rock 'n' Roll got me high(like literally - cuz i was jumping :P) and JYG was at their bloody best or so I thought. They soon played Let You Go and Been So Long. And then came my favourite JYG Song FOLK YOU!! Amazing Song with Amazing Riff and a super oppurtunity to jump like mad and go crazy. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialeq3ubz0q_tlPEWay85CkWzPkG9ALDaKM6CEBRLHSgg84XDzf3hG6Jid3X1WCBr5oAgob745MuZR_SPeJSyY4ANut7zatZQHJAwba8vxhG13n_lwZC888INcUU2OYRoi_SFzazo15ic/s320/6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367576894526360946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></div><div>Precisely what I did! My cousins and me were probably the only ones in the whole Bar who weren't in an intoxicated state. The poor waiter got a heart ache when we said we dont drink and at the end of the night, I'm sure everyone thought I had "Puffed the Magic Dragon"! :P </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0QQO4U_cxe5MiyKXv8z34a4I50VrCA8kZiop72FQ1zmxUp5eWiWeaY_X7emd_LDcwHfbtT4P4BNwREM7NV0aDCygPFXs_8_00UQS9_pY3fEe2JlQYp-D7BOzqt-rbK8Yhf8H1Q-xIZY/s1600-h/5852_130406160659_671540659_3683136_7159997_n.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0QQO4U_cxe5MiyKXv8z34a4I50VrCA8kZiop72FQ1zmxUp5eWiWeaY_X7emd_LDcwHfbtT4P4BNwREM7NV0aDCygPFXs_8_00UQS9_pY3fEe2JlQYp-D7BOzqt-rbK8Yhf8H1Q-xIZY/s320/5852_130406160659_671540659_3683136_7159997_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367570117925239394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>SLASH REVITALISED</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHW8VXTU6jdPjGBSpsPgcypAckDEE3rXLP6WECdh4M5_xB8nfgKPNQ9al-HyBNH1eifLpC371rz-0FKwPkIQUjLmEjlDJg8HPYqqYQziY3W40hW4z_PBBPIEwosLL7dk-bPLpkDFwJM8/s1600-h/5852_130406100659_671540659_3683126_6521352_n.jpg"></a></div><div>But, I did go high, real high on JYGs music. Who Wouldn't? When the songs that followed an amazing spelled out Folk You were Twinkle and Its OK.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNacUEXkzA1AErn2llduKa0IaXqho5Gq5r5zx8Q3prCpaxURu_Ijezh9SRiKhjyLehq8ZzhEGQ0RPWLTndcvUQ2T_SMBz-J_gUrGbAH_I5lj4NEVRMX4Bel2T1zsDVvTjPD2JgSHKsc9Y/s320/5852_130406190659_671540659_3683141_2088877_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367570124177537314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>AMEETH! - ROCKER DRINKER n DREAMER</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div>Next up, was an acoustic set of about three songs. This was by only Ameeth. He played Simple Song, Say Goodbye and Please Don't Wake Me Up. The last two being my favourite songs from their EP "Nicer in a Minute".</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0TLzlKjCsE_PuG_H6Se774uel4lq_h3LuWo7JyWOMmxqIVsWr0aOmTbn7hp8O5r9CtSNHM2nsbPAv7PoBBdDN2Tpzggmz-QT_NBL_U85qqdZ4xsW2TqE8S5COlRHSu-H1SAWe_tle_E/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0TLzlKjCsE_PuG_H6Se774uel4lq_h3LuWo7JyWOMmxqIVsWr0aOmTbn7hp8O5r9CtSNHM2nsbPAv7PoBBdDN2Tpzggmz-QT_NBL_U85qqdZ4xsW2TqE8S5COlRHSu-H1SAWe_tle_E/s320/2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367576889288995330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 296px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>JYGs EP - Nicer in a Minute</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2s0LWClrErQT8Wf51saMu2XEA9-sVQsYPa8lUtu0lToyiQVf1_h8rKj0PGm_sM_eXsnv_Pt0mdhRsgV7LtN3j7u92R4AIjU4M9iUg1cTiJUpjKFKkdXGBz-1T1on61-tIU8Qxgoo4Qyc/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2s0LWClrErQT8Wf51saMu2XEA9-sVQsYPa8lUtu0lToyiQVf1_h8rKj0PGm_sM_eXsnv_Pt0mdhRsgV7LtN3j7u92R4AIjU4M9iUg1cTiJUpjKFKkdXGBz-1T1on61-tIU8Qxgoo4Qyc/s320/3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367576880851806530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 319px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>11:11 - Bootleg - JYGs Album</b></div><div><br /></div><div>In the midst of Say Goodbye came smthng unexpected where Ameeth decided to improvise thanks to Sids absence and did the solo with his mouth! Hilarious. Please Don't Wake Me Up is a romantic classic that I just love to hear over and over again. If you haven't read the review I wrote about their EP do read it. Its got a review on all of the songs and links to get them.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh24lqBXvh4Hg8r4KHvvrGYhStFIIWVzTutABA8mk_7A4ScVZivDTNy6iBRlK0xou4kekJxqDq8K5Mh-TdGOW4vRzlGY9HHG5FL_5Wi01pfG6soC5PZzav9WkiN_h1Vh9z00P49wspjFNs/s320/5852_130406175659_671540659_3683139_1046592_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367570126025381602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div>Then, Ameeth took a break and the rest of the guys came back on. They played a few covers. Imagine by Beatles, sung by Sid and a Micheal Jackson cover sung by Craig. Craig forgetting the lyrics in between was amazing! Honestly, I cannot do any justice to their performance with this post. Their shows are something to behols not read about. The small perks of laughter like Ameeth saying Craig that he almost caught him fart when Craig went real close to his hind and stuff like that is something to watch and enjoy. Anyway I'm still trying my best for those who couldn't get there.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaW8skpMHSb5xFOdJNLEVI57uuOBh8YKFgPbthPoeTXGehTDq1zfg3xOlHsyJACKgvsOBsg6Vaay5MG8yy8Yrs6CnHWOTYvWkr0_bKObxM1yi2F5LK3Na2TXDT75VXRlCmNKukJAS5u24/s1600-h/8.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaW8skpMHSb5xFOdJNLEVI57uuOBh8YKFgPbthPoeTXGehTDq1zfg3xOlHsyJACKgvsOBsg6Vaay5MG8yy8Yrs6CnHWOTYvWkr0_bKObxM1yi2F5LK3Na2TXDT75VXRlCmNKukJAS5u24/s320/8.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367577355662223634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNmnRFjrxy0wrOePpwu5Z7n68yxd_Cg_d8Fx3CGLd1zxCLfQNe6xtjNabO0fN5Gmn-0LQfIkT_kmfsKtYnrPFjZfamZ7jdYxUO-cbh4kMMiCcfcWI3vauHFQ5O_CKNUVL-TuLR45pmqc/s1600-h/7.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNmnRFjrxy0wrOePpwu5Z7n68yxd_Cg_d8Fx3CGLd1zxCLfQNe6xtjNabO0fN5Gmn-0LQfIkT_kmfsKtYnrPFjZfamZ7jdYxUO-cbh4kMMiCcfcWI3vauHFQ5O_CKNUVL-TuLR45pmqc/s320/7.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367577349759772802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Thats us! </b></div><div><br /></div><div>Ameeth came back on after those two songs and they played Feel Like a Knife. Craig, then under humungous peer pressure, raps a couple of lines, which is again absolutely comedy. Maynard then played a solo that took my breath away! Maynard is like a man to worship. The way he moves around on his drum throne is amazing. Supreme Ownage!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>After that came a song called Aya Suthila Pee! Amazing song which you may check out by clicking the link below. Hilarious more than amazing really! Had everyone in splits and then came Sid in all his might in Hold. The start and that solo is Hold is a thing to behold. And Sid with his Slash look is ever so cool to watch! We should have an Indian G3 concert with Sid, Baiju and John Antony of Karnatrix. It would be ever so brilliant! </div><div><br /></div><div>Junkyard Groove unfortunately had to leave and played a supremely distorted Leaving on a Jet Plane by John Denver. Ameeth was bustling with energy and some of us were screaming our lungs out for them to stay. But all good things do come to an end and so did that show. And so does this post! :P </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlC8-bOCq9lA7_bLq5BgPyinoTx24U_8LMh6ZunLKrtQciUZyJb37quptd3OIbBjxGQ1sq20BYSEOG1KGNSyamtNgHuQ6lEPE8zfOlnpnyyulhZDhjNNtL3RmCNXCnU8nf90aL17WqP-s/s1600-h/25072009141.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlC8-bOCq9lA7_bLq5BgPyinoTx24U_8LMh6ZunLKrtQciUZyJb37quptd3OIbBjxGQ1sq20BYSEOG1KGNSyamtNgHuQ6lEPE8zfOlnpnyyulhZDhjNNtL3RmCNXCnU8nf90aL17WqP-s/s320/25072009141.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367584630250658194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>My cousin and me with Sid a.k.a Slash :)</b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kHPtH3nDRnvtArTdI2CM_qmKnaN5slNQqH_kmW4K8ZgXAzMnH8xh-fXKPXh-nrqRfIC_MM8sw5GfM0RIiDFYTebQ37Z10NJbzLjeEFpUBoPrMxvsHjZHJkMA6LNEAWqrVUS0KK41BAQ/s1600-h/25072009140.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kHPtH3nDRnvtArTdI2CM_qmKnaN5slNQqH_kmW4K8ZgXAzMnH8xh-fXKPXh-nrqRfIC_MM8sw5GfM0RIiDFYTebQ37Z10NJbzLjeEFpUBoPrMxvsHjZHJkMA6LNEAWqrVUS0KK41BAQ/s320/25072009140.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367584622748657858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>My cousin and I with Maynard - Man to admire</b></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrjZFaWvX28qe_DUhnjmXxFAaMpkRSk3b7MAdbA4tCNwStRQfzUBCzqRXH_22zPSqU-I-PYbBrzardhQkUx4LUvKsWxdDcHssn1gfPpd_UHLSuX00tbw7lZQw5n4cDN83BH3vDBOML7U/s1600-h/25072009139.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrjZFaWvX28qe_DUhnjmXxFAaMpkRSk3b7MAdbA4tCNwStRQfzUBCzqRXH_22zPSqU-I-PYbBrzardhQkUx4LUvKsWxdDcHssn1gfPpd_UHLSuX00tbw7lZQw5n4cDN83BH3vDBOML7U/s320/25072009139.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367584611754441394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>My cousin and me with Maynard</b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://junkyardgroove.net/">http://junkyardgroove.net/</a> - Official Site</div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8apPkj67R8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8apPkj67R8</a> - Aya Suthula Pee Video</div><div><a href="http://www.gimmesound.com/JunkyardGroove/">http://www.gimmesound.com/JunkyardGroove/</a> - Gimmesound Page of Junkyard Groove - Download and they get paid</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-16610165828462535482009-05-23T01:40:00.000-07:002011-03-23T08:24:55.912-07:00MOTHERJANE - @ Snehadaan & @ Le Rock<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIKcmYxUhyphenhyphenCbNB9Y4CEkwqw6LQPAvLFX-wjszEZvFXX2uQIfcAuqCLirv7Vw14BO-0aK25wveH3lwbo5RHhBxrxSQDOjiheqosYR9D1_2r64qSIJWsQtXGz1OES3fqe5rUV-hxfPYVd4/s1600-h/n655275415_6851703_4447604.jpg"></a><br /><div>motherjane had last been in town to play at Snehadaan. I went for that show but I honestly have nothing to say about it. Just tears in my eyes every time I think about that place. Visit the place and see the lovely children and you wont take long to understand. The best I can do is post a couple of pictures from the show. The show was a private one organised for the kids in care of Snehadaan. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_TW_eE7gYiRDXfivRQKqqZV0NfpIHCsV7Jb8rm6SnJnnu8qgFqnZPKOIlb_zEwaGlWZqMG0l-g9ij3cP4BDyNE6ny-NfQkOhleT585XypS_0YIfzxtrlY-fAckiWmEEsKgxcM4PlhUs/s320/mot5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339291151425839666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">THE LITTLE ANGELS</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, now that I've started talking about that one-off show. Maybe I'll dwell a little bit more about it. the kids were aged from about 4 to 11. They all rushed right in front of the stage and sat down before the show. Their excitement was very evident on their bright little faces. Then motherjane played Mindstreet and the kids were at shock. The kids could be seen covering their ears because the music was really loud and they had no previous encounters with such music before. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LVsaWb1xh6pTyXtOKkAmBFyvmQk_vF4lgzEKSumGMnbv4s59y0cRiaAWszUC3iaC2kXvmZKYgo-oWPcrI_O-InOh4-aChbJzM32LemljOcbV5mK7FveXQexM8KPyhpFsKs-UpyfClFc/s1600-h/mot11.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LVsaWb1xh6pTyXtOKkAmBFyvmQk_vF4lgzEKSumGMnbv4s59y0cRiaAWszUC3iaC2kXvmZKYgo-oWPcrI_O-InOh4-aChbJzM32LemljOcbV5mK7FveXQexM8KPyhpFsKs-UpyfClFc/s320/mot11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339274237138192146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Suraj enthralling the kids and having the time of his life!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Suraj then called these kids up on stage and made them dance. The stage which is usually "out-of-bounds" but not on that day. The kids ruled the stage. It was a treat to watch them dance to the tracks which I'm more used to seeing teens headbang too. Suraj too, danced about with the kids and it was a treat to watch him with the kids. These are the sort of moments in life that one should be really blessed to obtain. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRC8ZqOUD7xy6lHODmJ-YQOt7FSaJ_EW4a50AOqH6J3r7WIT1Z-GwfDffFlskl_po2Q1xCgVyHqmyLO6YTj89Fodm6gJ_hhzZSdg_Nv7groZPvgsRRTqvKVV2YRZk8nPD5VKm7OVzzMMo/s1600-h/mot7.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRC8ZqOUD7xy6lHODmJ-YQOt7FSaJ_EW4a50AOqH6J3r7WIT1Z-GwfDffFlskl_po2Q1xCgVyHqmyLO6YTj89Fodm6gJ_hhzZSdg_Nv7groZPvgsRRTqvKVV2YRZk8nPD5VKm7OVzzMMo/s320/mot7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338946425213967474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Some boons are bestowed upon very few lucky people. motherjane were one of those few lucky people to have got this chance.</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrp4-vDgmP3s4xSLVW8r82qW83hs1-nSxoHOvxzwKQ2Ud9qO7F-A89DzSV1r4_t2i2i56IwLdgSkOPEamejeTzTQ6CJeyLMq7H91Li9NeA8XOIWy0to9pdo3Em5MYQpIO3-YQu-UU5z8/s1600-h/mot8.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrp4-vDgmP3s4xSLVW8r82qW83hs1-nSxoHOvxzwKQ2Ud9qO7F-A89DzSV1r4_t2i2i56IwLdgSkOPEamejeTzTQ6CJeyLMq7H91Li9NeA8XOIWy0to9pdo3Em5MYQpIO3-YQu-UU5z8/s1600-h/mot8.jpg"></a></div><div><br /></div><div>To express my feeling about the show would be a Herculean task and nothing short of impossible. However, being one of the biggest janiacs around. I have to say, though motherjane were on stage and they were playing super quality music. It was the kids who were the real stars that night. The night belonged to the kids! And that would not be classified as an over-statement by any man present there on that night. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmIKcmYxUhyphenhyphenCbNB9Y4CEkwqw6LQPAvLFX-wjszEZvFXX2uQIfcAuqCLirv7Vw14BO-0aK25wveH3lwbo5RHhBxrxSQDOjiheqosYR9D1_2r64qSIJWsQtXGz1OES3fqe5rUV-hxfPYVd4/s320/n655275415_6851703_4447604.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339310501629797986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">MOTHERJANE - Live @ Le Rock on the 22nd</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaUPrPhbH_W-S8M2U7RM67m27bo2jrZEGlgS0xMYmZeeJfxmuThBxoi_3K1tdp5KaExGDpm_uDfkQXHzYlqsH5sQ-T-YDygtBAPl4A7zsxvSZx9cXoBGzEd-vF3vKpOA7kkERflhpPJE/s320/DSC_6157.jpg_600.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339309982597516866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Fireworks and frightened birds.. motherjane!</span></div><div>Now to get to the show at Le Rock. Being present at this show was a big question mark for me thanks to my age of 15. However, I decided to spend the day with them irrespective of whether I can go for the gig or not. And am I thankful that we don't have school now or what! And once I got there, the enormous planning of how to get me in started. The ideas included :-</div><div><br /></div><div>1) Paint up my face and say I'm a part of their show - By John Thomas - turns out to be motherjanes drummer too</div><div>2) Use black paint and draw up a moustache and walk around saying I'm the drum tech - By Abhijit Namboodrip - turns out to be motherjanes tour manager</div><div>3) Walk right in and say nothing - By Baiju - turns out to be the guitarist - this also turns out to be the only sane idea.</div><div><br /></div><div>Idea no.3 worked and its incredible how the simplest of ideas are the ones that work out. In the end, I just walked right in and the guards didn't bother arguing. So, I was in Le Rock and in for a treat too. The stuff on display and the paintings kept me amazed for sometime. I mean an Ibanez signed by Satriani and a Fender signed by Mark Knoppler. Who the heck needs anything else to live on? </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINR4-wz-4YY8Jmfu1_A6h2GqPNunH-e49zhQXdOumuApUDNXrlpvghwtCWuSE9l8kZXEw9kKnQy3F3url_sY8JlxLTHvot3R5ZGEwvj-gMtW27ZOAUgHH3NXdoKi61OuxSSW4m1r2ueY/s1600-h/n544265614_6906004_8365654.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINR4-wz-4YY8Jmfu1_A6h2GqPNunH-e49zhQXdOumuApUDNXrlpvghwtCWuSE9l8kZXEw9kKnQy3F3url_sY8JlxLTHvot3R5ZGEwvj-gMtW27ZOAUgHH3NXdoKi61OuxSSW4m1r2ueY/s320/n544265614_6906004_8365654.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339309975893236098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">motherjane - Epitome of Indian rock</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div></div><div>motherjane were setting up and getting ready for their gig. My guru, John, was playing a few rudiments which sounded real fun to hear. Soon, the whole band chimed in and the next thing you know, they were dishing out Karmic Steps, Fields of Sound, Maktub and Blood in the Apple. The sound check was soon done and the band was just lazing about for a couple of hours. </div><div><br /></div><div>For me to be present at the show, I would have to leave for home by 8:45. And the show was supposed to get under way by 7:30 or 8 o'clock at max. But NO!!! Le Rock gives the go ahead only at 8:30! That restricted to me to hearing only 2 and a half songs. [:(]</div><div><br /></div><div>But I shall tell you more about the first few that I heard. They played Mindstreet first. A perfect rendition. Baiju couldn't be heard initially but that problem was done away with as the song progressed. They excreted an energy unmatched by most Indian bands I've seen. Suraj was at his comic best with few exerpts being :</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiIx5ycMvaKsqdSBItdPbHRpxUQYAj53UnlkR6CmybnzVR74i9B-yy6_iMjdIo7z8WO-lWwqCr62U8JtnPBMoxKYwU5ofw0diUbybhkssQAiRxqpht8rFw4_DOoFD1MGABE40-Qb8T-g/s1600-h/4726_200494915614_544265614_6906013_2122365_n.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiIx5ycMvaKsqdSBItdPbHRpxUQYAj53UnlkR6CmybnzVR74i9B-yy6_iMjdIo7z8WO-lWwqCr62U8JtnPBMoxKYwU5ofw0diUbybhkssQAiRxqpht8rFw4_DOoFD1MGABE40-Qb8T-g/s320/4726_200494915614_544265614_6906013_2122365_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339309973163734706" style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">SURAJ </span></div><div><br /></div><div>"Know what this is? This is kall(local malu alcohol filled drink)" - pointing to what he was drinking</div><div><br /></div><div>"He works with the press. He really doesn't care" - when a man asked to him jump down into the crowd</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVp5kpVeJSXzLFRAgbL7drHUp8FkmtT7jPaUWqGqMVQal3x0ekmkw_bP4UNZKBdxyzjK6hzaahga_hSgdawThFY7hQ7EnYmrUhwnNxs1WxZ_dxKhVejT97F7EqgVHwVrdlG9W3VKPUJ4E/s320/DSC_6217.jpg_600.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339309978524474402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">In the wilderness of the woods! :P</span></div><div><br /></div><div>The next song was Blood in the Apple. A beautiful rendition too. The steady bass lines on that song always appeal to me. And here they were again, putting me in a trance. The say most people go high at the bar. I guess I went high too. Really high. HIGH ON MOTHERJANE & their MUSIC!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaUPrPhbH_W-S8M2U7RM67m27bo2jrZEGlgS0xMYmZeeJfxmuThBxoi_3K1tdp5KaExGDpm_uDfkQXHzYlqsH5sQ-T-YDygtBAPl4A7zsxvSZx9cXoBGzEd-vF3vKpOA7kkERflhpPJE/s1600-h/DSC_6157.jpg_600.jpg"></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWRjOjYQeQrDmdgZmcgN_dIM3zwcNtAQbEyYqw6JgyDE8rH9zQvuwYdD80nW9YBP4CbNIziqFM61OZvRNUHIuJLGMLWkkVtl-SvSjaYZutQBcFjLWXfryh3yjGNoSBwUG-EpK3D6NGwqA/s1600-h/n544265614_6906010_6893788.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWRjOjYQeQrDmdgZmcgN_dIM3zwcNtAQbEyYqw6JgyDE8rH9zQvuwYdD80nW9YBP4CbNIziqFM61OZvRNUHIuJLGMLWkkVtl-SvSjaYZutQBcFjLWXfryh3yjGNoSBwUG-EpK3D6NGwqA/s320/n544265614_6906010_6893788.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339309974008755122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">A pleasant outing</span></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiIx5ycMvaKsqdSBItdPbHRpxUQYAj53UnlkR6CmybnzVR74i9B-yy6_iMjdIo7z8WO-lWwqCr62U8JtnPBMoxKYwU5ofw0diUbybhkssQAiRxqpht8rFw4_DOoFD1MGABE40-Qb8T-g/s1600-h/4726_200494915614_544265614_6906013_2122365_n.jpg"></a><div>The 3rd song on the list was Disillusion. The start, sounded a lot heavier. Seems to have been tweaked. But usually Disillusion has a mellow start. Not this time. This time the song started like a blast! A whirlwind of noise that hits you and my the feel of it was great. I had to leave halfway through Disillusion. However, the day was great. I may not have been able to see the whole show. But I saw them live for 2 and a half songs. And technically, I heard them play 5 songs, including the sound check! The day was brilliant fun! & that fact cannot be undermined by any! </div><div><br /></div><div>Below is a video of motherjane playing Fields of Sound. Recorded by Jabri. It also has Baiju playing Vande Mataram. Very soothing to hear.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial;font-size:10px;"><object width="340" height="285"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8Ss8p83ZSOk&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8Ss8p83ZSOk&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="340" height="285"></embed></object></span><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>motherjane are next playing in Mumbai on the 29th. Those from Mumbai. Don't miss the show! It promises to be a treat.</div><div><br /></div><div>p.s. motherjane has been intentionally typed in small letters as it is the bands priniciple that the letters should all be in small or in capitals to signify the equal importance of each letter. Awesome theory huh?</div><div><br /></div></div>Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-2976323263852414652009-03-21T07:42:00.000-07:002011-03-23T08:24:55.939-07:00ROCK ETHOS '09<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbLLDkkTvt5uvzCujrW2i5UwZ8Cm2PL27R3DJ5wJuLXbv_SWL53Kpm1XDntQsTSv6-L1tDhwNy111Du9CYQ7Iy8PPyjFz5bTmmsCYZlZYbLp7TkEur9-rLGq0bizjaSpCW4uOdfqeVBE/s1600-h/2643_83199621912_57995141912_2289561_4073101_n.jpg"></a><br /><div>Rock Ethos '09 promised to be a real headbanging festival. It had a list of few of the best bands in Bangalore and a few from out of Bangalore too. But the name on the list that attracted me was MOTHERJANE. After almost a year, Motherjane were back in Bangalore and they promised to give a killer of a show. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>My sole intention at ROCK ETHOS was to catch Motherjane and well, Bhayank Maut was a pleasant surprise. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>But the start of the day for me tracks back a few hours to the moment I entered Motherjane's room just after a nice lunch. Spent a few good hours with them and also used the oppurtunity to have a nice chat about drumming with one of my gurus, John Thomas. Also, got a chance to get Suraj Mani, their vocalist, to explain the concept behind the video of the song BROKEN(about which I had written a post). Soon, a couple of guys came from MyBangalore to interview them and well, that wasn't really a very eventful memory for me or the guys who were with me. But soon, the uneventful moments turned to really eventful ones when the band members started to paint their faces and thus "UNLEASH THEIR SPIRIT" and get ready for the gig. The following were the results. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmjDHTUOIOuQEpP9ETcu5gU0OA8QFb_JnV76d4yWdoveVqWW0Vl085vE8gRsVpVpeIzvmZc_LfQmV4SdaggTU6u-lA-qPA-dsWbM1Jp6NWAxHkB7yrp3DftWKxfjD0cy5RKC-XnhCNQA/s320/IMG_0170.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315665333286067074" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">MOTHERJANE : ALL SET TO ROCK!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>After this, we had a few snaps with the band and all of us were soon heading for the venue. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyVTL89d1VHp1EANbunEJ1FgbZFdBU07XSrpY4lz6GHtJszPVdFxZqh2ryAX0JPxcfv1IkETDDIWeB8hGCz7eHJuJbl2Mly5dLdSFEQZ0ScCrK2boLXf4dLB4f9nlM9T9xeYCXk3d-Jo/s1600-h/IMG_0176.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyVTL89d1VHp1EANbunEJ1FgbZFdBU07XSrpY4lz6GHtJszPVdFxZqh2ryAX0JPxcfv1IkETDDIWeB8hGCz7eHJuJbl2Mly5dLdSFEQZ0ScCrK2boLXf4dLB4f9nlM9T9xeYCXk3d-Jo/s320/IMG_0176.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315665331080358914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnC-FTv78LMqARJigzj9LRIFqZ6S9izt4Strw5AzoZDVY-dncHJdrBesbHetX8HoWqp1eRDAkmqB8Sn9lwCBEaNqLW0QBhh34ggPSPLTv_E0oBLg1E3YxA9hW4nXxM2Ews23h0SqnZkkA/s320/IMG_0175.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315665333216391554" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">US WITH THEM!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I didn't head right in front of the stage to catch the bands in action. Instead, I rushed backstage to help sort out stuff backstage. Anyway, I was here to see Motherjane and none else, to be honest. </div><div><br /></div><div>Motherjane's time was fast approaching and as it approached, so did the Rain God. And as soon as Motherjane were up on stage, the rain thrashed down. But, the spirited Bangalore crowd did not forfeit, instead they stood right there without moving and many, went and fetched a few banners for protection from rain and came back to the railings for more music.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnm7L_aRIuDdB9-GNCDUmEvrJUR0FgWRkwZwPR9JfpvU9UKKGgEVTIsTOl7g6F_0genXBAM1jZ_tGrWYVgH0Lsv_978blyoGNTCZSBYpYoVr4H6z9UyiaysiOWxWTy-dKP4f8diq5L0w/s1600-h/IMG_0223.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnm7L_aRIuDdB9-GNCDUmEvrJUR0FgWRkwZwPR9JfpvU9UKKGgEVTIsTOl7g6F_0genXBAM1jZ_tGrWYVgH0Lsv_978blyoGNTCZSBYpYoVr4H6z9UyiaysiOWxWTy-dKP4f8diq5L0w/s320/IMG_0223.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315665340073306338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZw6gnmlLaj5HcqMpFhZUzNO3XH3SFyQXwnmE5c4vjBOF-GWjLNKU9VtvZoKOr2Fyosv18ceP2n0YGrSov4JLR9mOLX193WEQjCFbuYWhN2BPnsBxCjcR2zZDWxRERtEq4cXzrq2UYIyA/s1600-h/IMG_0219.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZw6gnmlLaj5HcqMpFhZUzNO3XH3SFyQXwnmE5c4vjBOF-GWjLNKU9VtvZoKOr2Fyosv18ceP2n0YGrSov4JLR9mOLX193WEQjCFbuYWhN2BPnsBxCjcR2zZDWxRERtEq4cXzrq2UYIyA/s320/IMG_0219.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315665336298721906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">ONE HELL OF A SPIRITED CROWD</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyVTL89d1VHp1EANbunEJ1FgbZFdBU07XSrpY4lz6GHtJszPVdFxZqh2ryAX0JPxcfv1IkETDDIWeB8hGCz7eHJuJbl2Mly5dLdSFEQZ0ScCrK2boLXf4dLB4f9nlM9T9xeYCXk3d-Jo/s1600-h/IMG_0176.jpg"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>Quite a few moments passed and soon, the guitars were cleared to play and Baiju ensured that none of the guys in the crowd were kept waiting any longer and he delivered a perfect rendition of a guitar solo and if you ask my comments on that solo I would say, "Now thats how you play a guitar solo". I was at awe of his patriotism when he started to play Vande Mataram and that showed one thing, no matter how western that instrument which he was holding was, it was a true Indian holding it and that is what counts. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbLLDkkTvt5uvzCujrW2i5UwZ8Cm2PL27R3DJ5wJuLXbv_SWL53Kpm1XDntQsTSv6-L1tDhwNy111Du9CYQ7Iy8PPyjFz5bTmmsCYZlZYbLp7TkEur9-rLGq0bizjaSpCW4uOdfqeVBE/s1600-h/2643_83199621912_57995141912_2289561_4073101_n.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbLLDkkTvt5uvzCujrW2i5UwZ8Cm2PL27R3DJ5wJuLXbv_SWL53Kpm1XDntQsTSv6-L1tDhwNy111Du9CYQ7Iy8PPyjFz5bTmmsCYZlZYbLp7TkEur9-rLGq0bizjaSpCW4uOdfqeVBE/s320/2643_83199621912_57995141912_2289561_4073101_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315670273268398034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">BAIJU ON THE GUITARS</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2RFU0mWa-ebd5RakYTUgoOi3aP_5o31OeqQPHI1hN_djV_GRLGUQK0_vfUfawNFj7JBFQ5xCJFkfX0ni8oBkuKgQc1aiAXwYl_F2T5wH1iJZrupyctPV-daYwz0qu9WXhyphenhyphen2C18bq6os/s1600-h/2562_162397965007_522175007_6236872_8242003_n.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2RFU0mWa-ebd5RakYTUgoOi3aP_5o31OeqQPHI1hN_djV_GRLGUQK0_vfUfawNFj7JBFQ5xCJFkfX0ni8oBkuKgQc1aiAXwYl_F2T5wH1iJZrupyctPV-daYwz0qu9WXhyphenhyphen2C18bq6os/s320/2562_162397965007_522175007_6236872_8242003_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315670262573548770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><div style="text-align: center;">make that A TRUE INDIAN ON GUITARS<br /></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzZLfTg13AmLS3e2sJkWz0X3EVhSu3C-FMMwvVc-atLESZHzP8Zg3qJiR2HxH0EAwsYttRFof1du5iEl9QTYAcK-o_klWaOz3ZRgL6qrzxs92JV7tRmPFWBnawNtttwuQ5UEXm9r1Cis/s1600-h/IMG_0418.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnm7L_aRIuDdB9-GNCDUmEvrJUR0FgWRkwZwPR9JfpvU9UKKGgEVTIsTOl7g6F_0genXBAM1jZ_tGrWYVgH0Lsv_978blyoGNTCZSBYpYoVr4H6z9UyiaysiOWxWTy-dKP4f8diq5L0w/s1600-h/IMG_0223.jpg"></a></div><div>Shortly after, Motherjane were ready. With a beautiful mocktail of the best from Insane Biography and Maktub, Motherjane were super tight on stage. Suraj, ensured that the crowd was there and there was line that was especially brilliant :</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"These speakers might be small but your hearts are BIG"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYf5S_uNcynAaZH61E7Gpd1cM5vOUJsOC7ebXK6QonOQMhAil-NfDZwtZK7ynWoinNBJMjpPsnUG6KWoxo0m68m80EOOIeElcGuUKm65loVUFSctF0viJEqvnc5g7EPWogWpAHBGlF12U/s1600-h/2643_83199566912_57995141912_2289552_7742529_n.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYf5S_uNcynAaZH61E7Gpd1cM5vOUJsOC7ebXK6QonOQMhAil-NfDZwtZK7ynWoinNBJMjpPsnUG6KWoxo0m68m80EOOIeElcGuUKm65loVUFSctF0viJEqvnc5g7EPWogWpAHBGlF12U/s320/2643_83199566912_57995141912_2289552_7742529_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315667889125049666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">SURAJ ON THE VOCALS</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thats a line that I will remember for a really long time. Disillusion, Chasing the Sun, Mindstreet, Blood in the Apple, Fields of Sound, Walk On and Karmic Steps. The list was shortened thanks to the rain but for the 40-odd minutes that they played, the stage was theirs. And my, did they kick some ass. Suraj, with a sprained ankle, was jumping around and running around like the world was his garden. Clyde, with his steady bass lines, was having a great time. Deepu, Baiju, and John were having a ball too. And as all good things have to come to an end, so did their gig. But Motherjane can give themselves a pat on the back for the show they produced. Taking in all the insults and converting it into one hell of a gig is greatness. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyVhGZFdWPk6Nl5zylzK5VPwlkYen32ggidY9X3TPwOLKPBFU7ynOd99ZEWMN3VWEr0WZovpRWSmgmhqcRzikARgX6K2MBjC-m9jqwnakE7h3QxT6RqPnfjvTBTdlw5vOnB5dM-xu4gA/s1600-h/2643_83199581912_57995141912_2289555_3007650_n.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyVhGZFdWPk6Nl5zylzK5VPwlkYen32ggidY9X3TPwOLKPBFU7ynOd99ZEWMN3VWEr0WZovpRWSmgmhqcRzikARgX6K2MBjC-m9jqwnakE7h3QxT6RqPnfjvTBTdlw5vOnB5dM-xu4gA/s320/2643_83199581912_57995141912_2289555_3007650_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315667886677569330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">DEEPU ON THE RHYTHM GUITAR</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCz3gd0lGKObVR6E61ay_BAo06VGtghODr9txRQJeclQOwtbsun0JyHKCOI0H_5WrzmYm4mHnG7QXl16YYv6_1ZZ98eSbm-Z3ypLKy31tqex8GFCTwLzsOHTntAUXA1W2zS0uanp7MTrE/s1600-h/2643_83199511912_57995141912_2289542_5066346_n.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCz3gd0lGKObVR6E61ay_BAo06VGtghODr9txRQJeclQOwtbsun0JyHKCOI0H_5WrzmYm4mHnG7QXl16YYv6_1ZZ98eSbm-Z3ypLKy31tqex8GFCTwLzsOHTntAUXA1W2zS0uanp7MTrE/s320/2643_83199511912_57995141912_2289542_5066346_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315667887273618754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">JOHN ON THE DRUMS</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyw9TbVSP0V3XEY-pilIvBSkQuCmjkS8P5SGpf0gBzExB5shj1nfZSArBFgh1zDPetn3SJGKPakV2Dd-2mxZa1Xw9CRs22tPcnMOrXUV5Ib2qiJgKqb3vQbIBQu6G0GOshkaGno2Z2ku4/s1600-h/2562_162397955007_522175007_6236871_3431766_n.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyw9TbVSP0V3XEY-pilIvBSkQuCmjkS8P5SGpf0gBzExB5shj1nfZSArBFgh1zDPetn3SJGKPakV2Dd-2mxZa1Xw9CRs22tPcnMOrXUV5Ib2qiJgKqb3vQbIBQu6G0GOshkaGno2Z2ku4/s320/2562_162397955007_522175007_6236871_3431766_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315667880476678898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">CLYDE ON THE BASS</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Next up on stage was Bhayank Maut. They were really good on stage. I liked a few of their songs and their drummer looked really good. However, didn't pay too much attention to them because I was helping Motherjane pack up and thus, missed out a lot of their stage but they sounded great and I would love to see them up on stage again. Their vocalists really impressed me. Apart from that, ain't really eligible for a review because of the lack of attention from my side. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzZLfTg13AmLS3e2sJkWz0X3EVhSu3C-FMMwvVc-atLESZHzP8Zg3qJiR2HxH0EAwsYttRFof1du5iEl9QTYAcK-o_klWaOz3ZRgL6qrzxs92JV7tRmPFWBnawNtttwuQ5UEXm9r1Cis/s1600-h/IMG_0418.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzZLfTg13AmLS3e2sJkWz0X3EVhSu3C-FMMwvVc-atLESZHzP8Zg3qJiR2HxH0EAwsYttRFof1du5iEl9QTYAcK-o_klWaOz3ZRgL6qrzxs92JV7tRmPFWBnawNtttwuQ5UEXm9r1Cis/s320/IMG_0418.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315669081273719938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexhkYT107f3vdDcq6YlCQZUWZ84iC1gfciwTkJqlmH2owehaH5d_-udigcJ0AgTsx-RhRAK2IjeBXyEr-1Lfshyphenhyphen_Yxe9LsINTDD9sZwmipByt2ynRsZInqL4GTzYnt1tEsh8WVcR0I4c/s1600-h/IMG_0379.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexhkYT107f3vdDcq6YlCQZUWZ84iC1gfciwTkJqlmH2owehaH5d_-udigcJ0AgTsx-RhRAK2IjeBXyEr-1Lfshyphenhyphen_Yxe9LsINTDD9sZwmipByt2ynRsZInqL4GTzYnt1tEsh8WVcR0I4c/s320/IMG_0379.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315668729237075970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKFqyJscY34OisCDrI1wpreOuUnjBOocOMiw9cIYAQc__yNWZPOgIi0HjRbWBIjbcZvdAQpD-ugM_0Ri2QtqTyioJEVR77TeuaBcFPvGep9_YlEX-JN5eXntoPWA9OPXdNAWw6ED_iX0/s1600-h/IMG_0405.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKFqyJscY34OisCDrI1wpreOuUnjBOocOMiw9cIYAQc__yNWZPOgIi0HjRbWBIjbcZvdAQpD-ugM_0Ri2QtqTyioJEVR77TeuaBcFPvGep9_YlEX-JN5eXntoPWA9OPXdNAWw6ED_iX0/s320/IMG_0405.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315668724079923538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">BHAYANK MAUT ON STAGE!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxhKIZz__hG02sNXf3jN8ezpVNEcqwdL6PwFvwIfMruSJRoI-A_lqEVhOAQpc8bpJoPOkD9oEZh76MxnjCu0ckhnEli2pZZv-oX2q9f7cG8EKA6xSFaqh7sZsnAHzYO9E5MfwMdYa59c/s1600-h/IMG_0186.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxhKIZz__hG02sNXf3jN8ezpVNEcqwdL6PwFvwIfMruSJRoI-A_lqEVhOAQpc8bpJoPOkD9oEZh76MxnjCu0ckhnEli2pZZv-oX2q9f7cG8EKA6xSFaqh7sZsnAHzYO9E5MfwMdYa59c/s320/IMG_0186.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315667900708296386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">ME WITH ONE OF MY GURU, JOHN</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pictures courtesy Jabri and Gaurav Vaz and a few others who posted on Facebook! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYf5S_uNcynAaZH61E7Gpd1cM5vOUJsOC7ebXK6QonOQMhAil-NfDZwtZK7ynWoinNBJMjpPsnUG6KWoxo0m68m80EOOIeElcGuUKm65loVUFSctF0viJEqvnc5g7EPWogWpAHBGlF12U/s1600-h/2643_83199566912_57995141912_2289552_7742529_n.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYf5S_uNcynAaZH61E7Gpd1cM5vOUJsOC7ebXK6QonOQMhAil-NfDZwtZK7ynWoinNBJMjpPsnUG6KWoxo0m68m80EOOIeElcGuUKm65loVUFSctF0viJEqvnc5g7EPWogWpAHBGlF12U/s1600-h/2643_83199566912_57995141912_2289552_7742529_n.jpg"></a></div><tr><td colspan="2" style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 93%; line-height: 100%; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; vertical-align: middle; "></td></tr>Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7740025534174118743.post-90397892556203223372009-03-18T08:46:00.000-07:002011-03-23T08:24:55.975-07:00BROKEN - A MASTERPIECE<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMUwIU175m2hZOZMJJgAyOjslnwxGSSGfN1hTFt-1SPUyNpk72Fpn8Jtxfs5mXKQUbZRyL9IKxVXDbJCvUOJI-rNxEZvDlAFwpyVe0-YkJdGZdQWlYw6TK6SC9XjF0RJQu9EJbPAcwDA/s1600-h/n839464605_1328330_2814.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMUwIU175m2hZOZMJJgAyOjslnwxGSSGfN1hTFt-1SPUyNpk72Fpn8Jtxfs5mXKQUbZRyL9IKxVXDbJCvUOJI-rNxEZvDlAFwpyVe0-YkJdGZdQWlYw6TK6SC9XjF0RJQu9EJbPAcwDA/s320/n839464605_1328330_2814.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314569061012345330" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">We’ve all, We've all been broken</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Shattered, left mute with regrets unspoken</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">We’ve all loved and lost</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Been forsaken, repented our deepest trust</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">We’ve all wondered why</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Destiny picked us to cry</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Why faith has to be tested,</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">And life doesn’t turn out the way intended</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">We’re mended to be broken</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Yet human clay believes itself golden</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Stunning in its courage to be happy</span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">As wild elations tempered with black melancholy</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The above are some of the most meaningful lines that I have ever come across. The above lines tell us that each one of us have the power in us to overcome are sorrows and it into positive outcomes. Do I believe in the above lines? Hell yeah, I do.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">However, I'm not going to explore the philosophy behind the given lines and nor am I here to comment on how great a band Motherjane is. On the contrary I'm here to comment about the following video which is based on the song. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; font-family:Arial;font-size:10px;"><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dOnOumAMD8s&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dOnOumAMD8s&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The above video may appear to be rather loosely held and well, confusing at the same time. You may feel that it consists a message but it doesn't really convey it. The above were my thoughts when I first saw it. However, when you take the lyrics into consideration and then watch the video, it is nothing short of a masterpiece. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAptu_UOLxJi2s8leCP4MATWuF1Z1CtVH8xGeidbGKoUxY3Sfp1KE7SR0HRZKpPtJd0mWeVJV_Lkfhp95VeIcZ_wZuMlyUhuf2AkYcjJyYdMT2ttKcu7RiJcLvnYYpZv02cjV3mzveWqQ/s320/_DSC7342.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314569806175282146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMUwIU175m2hZOZMJJgAyOjslnwxGSSGfN1hTFt-1SPUyNpk72Fpn8Jtxfs5mXKQUbZRyL9IKxVXDbJCvUOJI-rNxEZvDlAFwpyVe0-YkJdGZdQWlYw6TK6SC9XjF0RJQu9EJbPAcwDA/s1600-h/n839464605_1328330_2814.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMUwIU175m2hZOZMJJgAyOjslnwxGSSGfN1hTFt-1SPUyNpk72Fpn8Jtxfs5mXKQUbZRyL9IKxVXDbJCvUOJI-rNxEZvDlAFwpyVe0-YkJdGZdQWlYw6TK6SC9XjF0RJQu9EJbPAcwDA/s1600-h/n839464605_1328330_2814.jpg"></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The video is centralized around a father, who has lost his wife and a son, who has lost his mother and is yearning to be shown some love. The father is a Kathakali exponent and he is so involved in the art that he has no time to shower his mother-less son. This is beautifully expressed when the father comes home and sleeps with his Kathakali make-up on. The son, who as I said earlier, yearns to be showered with love, tries to wipe away the make-up from his fathers face and tries to catch a glimpse of his face. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After a certain period time, the son grows up to be a rebellious, independent son and the father yearns for his sons love. The fact that his son is rebellious is beautifully indicated by the potrait of Che Guevara in the sons room. The son has grown up without being shown any love and thus does not understand the importance of his father, who was completely involved in his art, in his life. Thus, the son is a very independent person, in fact, too independent. The father is left heart-broken and he contemplates suicide. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kKWL0fxHcgSk-ZD-2meWO_rqKSpppaQaQ9P3jlnybRfuGTxNsrxxLxplaASPpVwFI36ika8tBh7mIdtwTz8dReucSjMWUz4eP3aiwpOqniunsfzvdb2qUxguHpwonfDxNQZvMR3sq8Q/s1600-h/_DSC7722.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kKWL0fxHcgSk-ZD-2meWO_rqKSpppaQaQ9P3jlnybRfuGTxNsrxxLxplaASPpVwFI36ika8tBh7mIdtwTz8dReucSjMWUz4eP3aiwpOqniunsfzvdb2qUxguHpwonfDxNQZvMR3sq8Q/s320/_DSC7722.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314571155925292226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The son sees that his father contemplates suicide and realizes the importance of his father in his life and the father too understands his mistake and corrects himself and ensures that his son is shown some love and affection. This is portrayed in the scene when the father peforms only for his son. Credit must be given to Motherjane, to convert a song which starts of with two people with a negative look at life and to end the video and the song in such a positive note. HAIL MOTHERJANE! (yet again.. [;)])<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokvg7dO1GUECkcmE9QSocWroUHZ8vyxY9jnvDjWZfJB6M1V4csw870xgje-8YA0uboOCg9nH1jgBo-FFGZor8MR3ucaHN0L__jHAd1ct8-KVJBwZVW8fh2tS96Xct2m17xfoNaJw_yVA/s1600-h/_DSC7731.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhokvg7dO1GUECkcmE9QSocWroUHZ8vyxY9jnvDjWZfJB6M1V4csw870xgje-8YA0uboOCg9nH1jgBo-FFGZor8MR3ucaHN0L__jHAd1ct8-KVJBwZVW8fh2tS96Xct2m17xfoNaJw_yVA/s320/_DSC7731.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314571148214084386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A closer look at the video shows that only half of the fathers face is painted during his performance for his son. However, his whole face is painted when he sleeps at home with his make-up on. This is because the father finds his balance in life during the performance for his son. This is the balance in life that we should all strive to achieve. Unless this balance is achieved, all of us are broken. We become a whole only when this balance is achieved in our lives. This is the underlining principle of the song. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I sincerely thank Suraj Mani, for taking his time out to explain the principle behind this inspiring video to me. I also want to thank Jabri, for indirectly giving me the idea of posting this blog about this sensational video.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">p.s. - Taking a leaf out of Sri.Jabris book here. I wonder if he has a problem. Well, if he does, I'm the going to be the happiest man in the world [:P]. Also I have not written too much about how beautiful the song sounds and how great the band is because if I do so, I know for sure that I'll never stop! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Harihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15489003357185497013noreply@blogger.com3