York Live Festival 2012

York Festival 2011

Maharashtra, Nasik is also well known for its grape orchards and many wineries. And, in recent times, these wineries have brought Nasik into the limelight as a place for some landmark events. They have taken wonderful steps to successfully organize wine tasting events that also include major musical events, such as Sula Fest (which already has four events to credit) and Zamba Crush.

This year, York winery is organizing their second York Live event (exact date: 21st February 2012). After having organized a successful maiden event last year, the owner, Ravi Gurnani, is confident of attracting more wine and music enthusiasts to the venue this time around. In 2011, the attendees had had the privilege of watching Mumbai-based rock group The Mayvns perform at their very best. Other participants included Shaa’ir + Func, a popular electro-rock band led by Monica Dongra and SS, Rodney Branigan, and a smashing set by national favorites Jalebee Cartel. Nearly 500 people attended this making it a noteworthy event indeed!

York Festival

York winery’s second event will also ensure that the fans and wine and music enthusiasts experience the best possible weather conditions. The wide expanse of sprawling vineyards with shimmering lake waters and hills in the distance lend a natural touch to the venue, tempting visitors with the prospect of spending time amidst nature with beautiful music and delicious wines. The entertainment is expected to be led by Karsh Kale, an Indian-American musician who is famous for having created a new sound that amalgamates Indian classical and folk with electronic and rock. Others artistes are slated to be Shrilektric (Shri’s acoustic and electronic experiment together with Vivek Rajagopalan and Nandini Srikhar), Something Relevant (the well-known 7-member jazz-rock-blues band formed in 2003) and Mr. Woodnote & Eva Lazarus (sax and beat boxing pair).

Individual performances by singer songwriters like Alisha Pais (one half of the all-girl duo Middle sister), Tek and Ayush Shreshtha will ensure that the audiences are continuously entertained. The grape stomping, carnival games, wine tours & tasting sessions and these musical performances are set to make the York Live Festival one-of-its-kind event this winter. In the words of Ravi Gurnani, ‘York festival will
showcase an interesting and award winning mélange of wines coupled with amazing performances’. So, if you are looking for a perfect getaway this winter, you now know one of your choices. Go, grab the tickets!

 

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Musings Of A Rahmaniac

I don’t know where to start. And I am also sure that there will be no ending to my outpouring of love and respect. People follow music religiously and it is tough to tag it as a ‘hobby’ any more. Moreover, music almost defines the kind of person you are. Only a few take up music as a profession and make a living out of it; others have to be content with just listening to it. Listeners’ tastes differ a lot, as much as the lines in our palm! You may find some people sitting down cross-legged on the floor to listen to a ‘kutchery’, tapping their thigh with the beats. On the other hand, you may find some people banging their heads in a rock concert. I remember a childhood friend who used to listen only to Christian devotional songs. There are also some people who listen to any music that comes their way. But there is also a set of people who take one man’s music seriously in particular. And when the question of listening to that man’s compositions arises, they leave everything else aside. These people are willing to dedicate their lives for one cause—being a Rahmaniac. And there is only one religion that they follow—Rahman’s music. They not only call A. R. Rahman the ‘Boss’ but also speak of him as a god. I know, it is crazy to call a human being God. But then again, to each his/her own God. And, needless to say, I belong to this cult too.

The amount of pride Rahmaniacs take in being a Rahmaniac is bewildering. They always have first-hand information of his compositions, his next movies, concerts and songs. They research deeply into each of his compositions, almost dutifully. They religiously follow his concerts, buy original music CDs on the first day of its release, post their thoughts in various groups and meet fellow Rahmaniacs to discuss his music alone. It is extremely hard for them to accept that some Rahman compositions can be ‘ordinary’. Ask them what is the one thing that they want to do in life, and their answer would be simple: meet the man! Some may also have secret ambitions of singing for him. I also love his music but I do not go mad about getting his autographs or a photo clicked with him (even if it will give me 10000 likes on my Facebook profile pic!). If such opportunities ever knock on my door, I would like to simply say ‘Thank You’ to him for all the music he has given and those that he will.

All Rahmaniacs have their Facebook status message reflecting his song names/movie names, etc. but this is not to show off their craziness. They simply do not know any other way to express the happiness, bliss and eternal satisfaction they feel while listening to his albums. And the pleasure a Rahmaniac gets when playing a new Rahman CD for the first time is unmatched. The CD has to be played in loop, and with each round of listening, the music grows; slow nectar, Rahmaniacs call the sensation. Of course, there are some songs/compositions that are like cocaine—shooting straight to the brain. Rahmaniacs do not need any drugs to follow the music; the music itself leads to that kick or high.

So what is bringing this huge outpouring of emotions and words from me? The Oscars? His being such a successful ambassador for Indian music? I don’t think so. Something changed over the years for me and my musical listening, and it started with a song called Chaiyya Chaiyya. This song made me realize that music may be the only way to salvation. I can go on to compile a list of his great songs, but then again, it will include most of his compositions, from Roja to Rockstar. But once I had heard Arziyan, life began to have a new meaning. People say that you have to die to go to heaven. But I tell them that I have been there at least a thousand times, i.e. each time I hear Arziyan. And as soon as the harmonica of “Tango” from Passage fades, the guitar strumming starts to strike a chord in me. Aaromale (O Beloved) was a word that I had never used for a long time, but today, it may be my most often used word!

As always, I am happily waiting for his next song now. And I really do not have a concluding paragraph for this write up, just like there is no conclusion for my love for Rahman’s music. All I can say is that I thank God, the real one, for having made me live in this era, the era in which A. R. Rahman lives. And, finally, to the ‘Boss’, I will simply quote a line from his own song: Un isai mattum illayendral naan endro endro irandiruppen.

Signed

A Rahmaniac

Octoberfest In Pune

Octoberfest Introduction

Smokies is getting a real feeling of Ocktoberfest for Puneites. The event is scheduled in Corinthians club situated in NIBM hills hosted by ‘Smokies’, a popular food joint in town.

Living up to the fame of the real festival in Germany, the Pune version will have unlimited freshly brewed beer being served throughout the festival days. Apart from the fresh beer served by the brewery joint ‘Doolally’; there will be unlimited music entertainment for sure which opens with a performance by a German based band called Slumthaler. Their performance will be followed by Pune based band Rudra Agni. The music performance will then lead to a DJ night headed by local famed Yusuf Kapasi.

Saturday will showcase major actions in the festival which will include the performances by four bands. Pralay will start the day celebrations which will continued by local band Split who will play some rock numbers which will give way to Swaratma who will unleash their acclaimed fusion numbers. Once their performance entertains the crowd, the stage will be taken by Shefali Alvares & band for another rocking performance. A main attraction of the night will be the Paolo Electrobios Malde performance which will be on a separate stage at the venue.

The final day will feature a bunch of bands including No Safe Word, Bicycle Days, Parachute & Indus Creed. The artists will entertain the entire guests present for the event and all these will be followed by a dance party with a DJ taking care of the music.

More to the music extravaganza, this event will feature ‘Graduate India Fashion Week’ by nationally and internationally acclaimed fashion designers with the association of FAD institute in Pune. More to this there will be a carnival ambiance created by the organizers to have a real German Ocktoberfest feel for the attendees. The organizers promise the event to have some games and few truck loads of prizes to be won during the 3-day event festival.

What are you waiting for? Welcome the spirit of festival and be a part of the celebrations.

Location: Smokies, Corinthian Club, NIBM Road, Pune

Camping Concerts

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Ever dreamt of going to a lush green place, attending a series of music concerts, engaging in the activities in which you are interested, gorging on delicious foods, staying in makeshift camps and maybe just lazing around doing nothing, thinking of nothing?

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I have always dreamt this. From the moment I was introduced to the famous ‘Woodstock Concert’, I have been dreaming of attending something of this sort. Alas! Few such events are affordable for me since they are mostly outside India . Today, we have access to all kinds of entertainment related to music concerts, camping and many more in our country, but I have never understood why we don’t have something on the lines of Woodstock.

In European and American countries, you can find many such camping concerts or festivals that are organized for enthusiasts like me quarterly or half-yearly. Such events become a real break for all those who are busy with their professional and personal responsibilities; moreover, they create a platform to rewind and rejuvenate, making us more active and lively in our regular life.

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Festivals such as T in the Park in the United Kingdom, Pukklepop in Budapest and Sziget in Rosklide are few of the many such events that are organized in western countries. These events do not only consist of camping activities; various other entertainment forms such as music performances, trekking activities and carnival shows, etc. are also organized. Most of the camping events have no age restrictions, and children and adults equally attend and enjoy such festivals.

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You can book tickets, stay in selected camps, attend all entertainment events with a relaxed mind, have food and drinks and be merry. The organization ensures that you are very relaxed and makes you feel as if you are living a life away from your regular routine of jobs and other responsibilities.

In India, there have been a few attempts to organize something on these lines, for example, the ‘Ladakh Confluence.’ Still, I feel that our country needs to explore avenues for such activities. I am pretty sure there are many people who want or dream such events. And, being optimistic by nature, I am sure the days of camping festivals are not too far away.

Raghu Dixit Project – A Different Touch

Raghu Dixit

There are many kinds of songs—some you don’t want to listen to, few songs you get stuck to for quite sometime and few songs that you get stuck to like forever. These days I am stuck to a brand of music of the third type —the amazing ‘I am in Mumbai’ by Raghu Dixit Project.

The song has a mix of Hindi and English composition penned by Raghu Dixit, famous folk musician from Bengalooru. The music is a combination of folk music with a pop feel to it and a soothing background score to add to it. The pace and tempo of the song are so rhythmic and well crafted that you immediately start swinging to it.

Raghu Dixit Project is a new concept conceived and promoted by Raghu Dixit himself consisting of a platform for many artists from varied genres in the music industry to come together, collaborate and create a new-dimensional and multi-faceted music and sound. A self-taught musician, Raghu Dixit was a part of a band called Antaragni (he was one of the founder members) but now he is more focused on this new venture.

His debut album, a self-titled one, was launched by Vishal-Shekhar’s music record label. The album consists of 8 songs and includes very popular hits like I am in Mumbai, No man will ever love you, Khidki and Mysore Se Aayi. He has also been associated with a few movies like ‘Quick Gun Murugan’.