Jishnu Dasgupta of folk-fusion act Swarathma on performing in Chennai after a hiatus
Swarathma
Bengaluru-based folk-rock act Swarathma will perform in the city after a long gap. Jishnu Dasgupta, vocalist and bassist of the band, said, “We have not performed in Chennai since a year and a half. Chennai is the hub of music and we are bringing the best we have.”
Swarathma will perform in Chennai on August 29 at Phoenix Market City. They are known for their folk-infused-contemporary sound. Jishnu added the band has quite fond memories of Chennai. “We mixed our first album, titled Swarathma, here. We spent a few days in the studio and also enjoyed the delicious cuisine and the beach,” he reminisced.
The band also features Vasu Dixit (vocals and rhythm guitar), Pavan Kumar (percussion) Varun Murali (guitar) and Sanjeev Nayak (violin). With folk-fusion acts becoming popular on the indie scene, Jishnu said this experimentation is a good thing. “If music and musicians are true to where they come from, their music is honest and interesting.
For instance, The Manganiyar Seduction features traditional Rajasthani folk music in a visually appealing manner. So, the closer you get to your roots, the more global you become. You have to enjoy the process of making music. We try to give folk music a contemporary feel,” he pointed out.
Jishnu said that music is a way to explore the world. “People say that you can travel the world on a plate. But you can also travel the world on an iPod. For instance, reggae is very strictly Caribbean in its origin. But now, it has taken over the world, thanks to its free-spirited appeal. Similarly, we use Kachchhi Ghodi (a folk dance form) in our performances. We initially used a prop made up of papier mâché, which our vocalist Vasu Dixit wore while singing that song. Firstly, you don’t expect a band to do that. And, you don’t expect such a traditional motif in a rock act. But that doesn’t mean it cannot be done. In fact, during a performance, we had a grandmother coming and telling us that she had always wanted her grandchildren to see what a Kachchi Ghodi was and she thanked us. So, in our way, we are adding a contemporary spin to folk music,” he said.
Tours apart, Jishnu said that the band is in the process of recording their third album. “The way I see it, albums are snapshots of where the band is at that moment — musically and emotionally. Since our last album Topiwalleh in 2012, we have had our own personal journey — with the band and otherwise. And that has influenced our music. All of these influences will be seen in the album. So, the sound will change. It will be an inward looking album. Our earlier albums were about politics and dealt with social issues. But with this album, we explore the equal amount of conflict that goes on with us,” he signed off, adding that the album will most probably be out by the end of the year.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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