A gig to remember

Regardless of how many years pass by since their formation, the one thing that Bangalore-based folk rock band Swarathma will never run short of is energy. They played recently at Hard Rock Café, where the world premiere of their new video Rang Zinda Hai was also held.

The evening kickstarted with Aaj Ki Taaza Fikar, a song from their latest album Topiwalleh. New songs like Iss Sheher, Koorane and Duur Kinara were also performed, alongside the
old classics like Ee Bhoomi, Sur Mera and Bolo Kya Hai, in which guitarist Varun Murali took to lead vocals.

It took a while for the video to work, during which time the band told the audience about the concept behind it being active ageing and pachpan ke baad bachpan (youth
after 55). Done in collaboration with students of National School of Design,
it featured inmates of an old age home in Malleswaram and truly reflected the innocence of senior citizens.

“You will always remain a special audience for us because you saw it first,” said bassist Jishnu Dasgupta after the screening.

Almost with a renewed vigour, the music began again. Frontman Vasu Dixit was in full form, getting off the stage and interacting with members of the audience in Pyar Ke Rang, grooving with the band’s famous ghodi around his waist.

Even in Naane Daari, the second last song for the night, neither he nor the other members showed any signs of hesitation in displaying their dance moves, complete with LED flashing sunglasses.

On the request of the crowd, they played one last number. “Humne toh sylabbus khatam kar diya. Extra gaana toh tapori ke liye hi bajayenge,” joked Jishnu, after which the band played Haste Rahe, in which it seemed like the venue was transformed into a roadside tapori party.

“This is the reason why we live. This is why it’s worth it,” shouted Vasu as the night came to an end.

“It was a very fun gig!

I haven’t seen the Hard Rock crowd be this tapori till date. Apart from a couple of technical glitches during their video premiere, it was quite a perfect gig. I was also surprised by Naane Daari, which involved a lot of electronic music and is unlike their sound,” said Arjun Rao, who attended the gig.