The Raghu Dixit Project

By Surya Raju

“Don’t worry, be happy.
But if you want to worry, I don’t give a damn.”

That’s exactly the kind of lyrics that defines The Raghu Dixit Project. Well, sort of.
I’d first heard about them way back in 2007 when Vishal and Shekhar, the music composing duo from Bollywood had discovered Raghu Dixit and had given him a platform. They released their first album in the same year and haven’t looked back since.

But honestly, I had no clue who they were or what they did until one cold November night in 2010. That’s because the only reason I’d noticed them eearlier was because they were wearing colourful ‘lungis’. And being a Mallu, there was an instant connect, a sort of kinship had developed. 

The night, like I mentioned, was a cold one. The event was ‘Quo Vadis’, the annual fest hosted by IIFT (the ‘foreign trade’ one). The ‘lungis’ had tugged at my heart and pulled me to the second row in front of the stage. Curiosity, as we know, is a bitch, and I ventured to ask Karthick Iyer, the violinist, why they wore ‘lungis’ while performing. He said that they were only “carrying the traditional way forward”.

Content with the answer, and shivering, I stuck around, waiting for the concert to start. And boy, was it worth it! It not only transformed me into an eternal fan but also turned out to be the best concert I’d ever attended.

Their music is a perfect blend. Beautiful, soulful lyrics combined with equally mesmerizing and soothing tunes; a mix that is rarely found these days. Anyone in search of good music today would not be able to resist.

From peppy, foot- tapping numbers like ‘Mysore se Aayi’ and ‘When I’m in Mumbai’ to rich soulful songs like ‘No Man will Ever Love You’ that make you want to sway in the moonlight, their bilingual songs have got it all. Their most famous song, ‘Hey Bhagwaan’ is a prayer to the God above to give each of us a second chance. “As humans, we tend to make mistakes and its never too late to one day wake up, want to leave your past behind and start over!” to quote their website. Quite a catchy prayer, must say. 

But along with all the brilliant music, there is something else that makes their concerts memorable events in our life – Raghu Dixit, the man himself. I was completely floored by the man’s wit and charm. So was everyone else in the crowd. He exudes happiness. It makes you want to laugh and sing along to the songs. Then, of course, there is the sheer brilliance of his voice. It has the power to melts hearts. By the end of the concert, the night was no longer cold.

And to imagine that music could have lost this man to micro- biology. Oh, the horror!

Now I make it a point to attend as many of their concerts in Delhi as possible. I just can’t stay away. So, maybe when you’re making your to-do list for the New Year, you could add another item to the list---
‘Attend a Raghu Dixit concert and buy the album’.
And experience the magic for yourself.

U2

Pratyusha Dwivedi

I want to feel sunlight on my face,

I see the dust cloud disappear,

Without a trace.

I want to take shelter from the poison rain,

Where the streets have no name.

Three teenage boys with limited musical proficiency, in Dublin, once decided to respond to a drummer's advertisement seeking band – mates. They could not have possibly predicted how the decision would change their lives. U2, an Irish rock band, was formed in 1976 by Larry Mullen JR (drums), Adam Clayton (bass guitar), The Edge (guitar) and Bono (vocals). Thirty five years later, this band continues to make music, astound the world and live on as one of the best rock bands.

 My brother, one of the biggest musical influences in my life, made sure that I got a whiff of this sensational band as a child. I first heard ‘With or Without You’ on a television show, as it played on in the background. For the next few moments, I was left entranced. All I could hear was the music. The characters and their dialogues were lost on me; it was just the background score that did all the talking. I watched on as the scene came more to life than I thought possible and as I fell in love - with the band, their music and the powerful lyrics.

The song and the rave reviews I often heard about the band, compelled me to listen to more. ‘Where The Streets Have No Name’ is an absolute favourite. Having recently moved from one country to another and enduring an identity crisis of sorts, the song simply gripped me. It took me over and just didn’t let go. 

                              

Growing up under the influence of the guitar, amongst other instruments, the Edge’s consistent rhythmic echo and signature delay worked wonders on me. Initially beginning with influences from punk rock, U2 later moved on to various other genres of popular music to include aspects of rock anthem, funk, and dance rhythms. In the 1990s, the band reinvented themselves as they began using synthesisers, distortion and electronic beats in three of their albums - Achtung Baby, Zooropa, and Pop. The 2000s had them returning to a stripped-down sound, with a more traditional touch.

U2, alongside being a high power in the Rock music industry, has also provided an

example of how fame can affect the world positively. In the '80s, much of U2's music focused on the turmoil occurring in Ireland. In U2's documentary, 'Rattle and Hum', the band discusses the passionate song "Sunday Bloody Sunday". They have also actively participated in various humanitarian campaigns like Live Aid and most recently in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Such intensity and outspokenness has made U2 one of the most exciting bands to see live, not to mention their seven #1 singles (including 'In the Name of Love' and 'With or Without You') and six #1 albums.

On a melancholy day perhaps, close your eyes, turn up the volume and drown yourself in one of U2’s melodies; one of the more slow ones, if you wish for the mood to continue, or a more enthusiastic one to uplift your spirit. Let go off everything - allow the music to flow through and let the words sink in. Just lose yourself in the works of one of the best-selling music artists of all-time.

Never Been Able To Get Rid Of Good Riddance

Tannishtha Bhattacharjee

If asked, I’d not be able to recall when exactly I grew beyond Linkin

Park and Backstreet Boys, as far as my music taste is concerned. But
whenever I did, it was under the shadow of this song.

Another turning point.
A fork stuck in the road.

So it was. Introduction to what I now call ‘my kind of music’ happened
with this song. And it was sheer chance that brought me to enter into
this life-long contract with pure awesomeness. I literally stumbled
upon the song while googling for a suitable farewell song, on being
asked for suggestions for my Tenther’s Graduation ceremony.

A turning point, no less than the age I was at.

But then I realized this song is NOT merely a farewell song. What is
remarkable about it is that it is a song that consoles, reminds,
motivates, and sums up the point of being alive-one of which I'd say,
would be to listen to songs like this.

For what it’s worth it was worth all the while.
It’s something unpredictable, but in the end it’s right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

The abruptness of the prelude chords establishes the class of this
acoustic song right at beginning. The violin, the Scottish bagpipe
touch with a hint of Russian country music towards the end make it
stand apart from normal acoustic masterpieces of the Alternative genre
(in which Greenday prospers). The simplicity of the lyrics and the
dire candor of the words almost compel the listener to agree with the
tone and essence of the message this song tries to convey.

So take the photographs and still frames in your mind,
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good times.

The raw sounding baritone in which Billie Joe Armstrong has sung the
song, defines a different kind of melody altogether. As mundane as the
voice may sound, on having tried to reproduce the impact, my attempts
have resulted in dumbstruck awe of this song.

To me, every bit of the song defeats that which other songs strive to
achieve. This is one song that never fails to touch or move the heart.
It unnerves me every time I listen to it.

It's unlike any song that I have heard till date. Some songs just
never die or fade. These have that goose bump effect, the tear effect
every time someone plays them. Good Riddance is one of them. It’s not
like Summer of 69, which you’d want to scream with an entire gang of
old friends. It’s not like Hotel California, which thrives on the
brilliance of the symphonic magic that the song entails. It’s not like
In the End, which have the ‘bang your head’ and drown in rock
effect. It is an evergreen song like any of the aforementioned.

But it’s that song which you’d wanted to just sit, listen, understand,
absorb and cry over. It’s a song for the soul.

Very Complete.

The song, several times in loops, has played through moments of
despair, at a farewell, sheer joy and when I’ve been in the mood for
tears. The song would just not disappoint.

To me this song embodies the synthesis of the purposes of a song being
written and brilliant music being composed. It just refuses to let go.
You just never get over it :)

That’s about it, I guess, on being asked to say what music makes me
think of. It defined my basis of perceiving music the way it impacts
me.

Time of your life- Tannishtha 

Junoon

You are sitting in a room and you put your earphones on, put the ipod on shuffle mode and a song starts playing, there is silence and slow sweet sound of the guitar starts. You sit back and relax and within 10 seconds later table beats kick in and the bass follows. You take a deep breath and a magical voice starts singing, Sayonee. You close your eyes and you are in heaven.

What follows is one of the greatest songs ever played by any rock band. The depth in lyrics and philosophy, the chords progressions, the vocals, the bass and the guitar solo. It is almost a divine experience, something similar to hearing the Bm chord of Hotel California or Robert Plant singing the eternal words from Stairway to heaven.

Junoon was a Sufi Rock band from Pakistan, formed in 1990. The lineup had Salman Ahmad on guitar, and Ali Azmat on Vocal and Brian O’Connell on Bass. Even though Salman Ahmad and Ali Azmat were the famous guys from Junoon, but I would like to give equal importance to Brian, as the Bassline in Junoon songs is mind blowing. A comparison to Cliff Burton in terms of his importance in Metallica is definitely in order.    

I started with Sayonee, which according to me is the band greatest song, however there are many songs whose riffs and guitar solos still make Asians Proud of once having such a great Rock Band, when almost all the legendary rock bands are from the West.

Junoon is a widely recognized band all across the world but for me Junoon is more like an inspiration to write in Hindi. Also, you can see the strong classical foundation in their music and this is something which has always driven me to pursue classical music.

A few of my favorite Junoon songs are Garaj Baras, Jazba Junoon, Yaaron Yehi Dosti Hai, Lal Meri Pat, Pappu Yaar etcetera.

You have to really start listening to Junoon if you are not a fan already.

It’s quite ironic that Sayonee has a line which says, “Kya basher ki Bisat, Aaj hai kal Nahin”, which means that the existence of us, the mere mortals is very temporary. But the same song has made them immortal.  

Another irony (not as great), was in the song Yaaron Yehi Dosti Hai, which talks about the eternal friendship. Eventually Junoon disbanded in 2005 due to many reasons and Ali Azmat and Salman Ahmad still don’t share a very pleasant relationship. As they say, all good things come to an end one day.

Led Zeppelin had to stop

Doors had to stop.

Junoon had to stop.

But it is not about that end.  

It is about the legacy they left behind.

PS: Salman Ahmad is like an unofficial inhouse UNGA musician much to the displeasure of Ali Azmat :P

Also my loyalties have shifted towards Ali  Azmat.  He is really awesome.

Staind

Staind is an American rock band that was formed in 1995. It has lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist Johnny April. They have come out with 7 albums by now and have managed to sell around 15 millions records, which is not a huge number if you compare them to a few other bands which are prevalent right now.

I myself will not claim to be a very big Staind Fan and have only heard very few of their songs.

But even with the very few songs which I have heard, Staind has managed to influence my writing style the most. Their songs are not very complex, in terms of lyrics or rhyme. What, however appeals to me most about Staind is the depth in the emotions and experiences described in the song, even with the most basic lyrics. This I think is the most difficult to do for a writer, this is what makes Staind so unique.

At this point I would like to also mention another American rock band, Hinder. The situations described in a few Hinder songs are again, complex and deep, however in the simplest language. Their music is more popular than Staind but the underlying fact is that both the band have lyrics as simple as it makes you wonder if you also could have managed to pen down one of their songs.

I would just like to mention a song by Staind, which might throw more light on all that I have talked about prior to this. The song is titled 'It's been Awhile', from the Album, 'Break the Cycle'.

The lyrics start with these lines,
These lines are again written in such a simple language!

It's been a while
Since I could hold my head up high
and it's been a while
Since I first saw you

Gradually towards the end of the song, there are these lines.
I swear to god, I still get goosebumps when Aaron is singing these lines. And there is nothing very special about them, except that you can speculate a whole love story within these lines. Atleast I can. And I love this song and the band.

It's been awhile
Since I've seen the way the candles light your face
It's been awhile
But I can still remember just the way you taste

If you listen to this song, it probably might not impress you as much as it appeals to me. As I said, they might not be the most popular band in the country but they have a huge influence over my writing.