Bengaluru buzzing with musicians making their own music is old news. The latest generation of musicians in the city are indulging in a series of innovative instruments like wind chimes, tubular bells, gongs, reeds, and many more. Made of wood, steel and metal and even discarded junk, these are all ‘playable’ and meant to introduce audiences to the philosophy of sound!
Lending their innovative touch to both classical instruments and basic daily objects, these artists want to give the music world a new sound. City-based Montry Manuel does something similar, where he creates percussion instruments from discarded products. What we might see as metal pieces, PVC pipes, soda and paint cans, he sees as prospective instruments that could be used in his performances. “I had a knack for making things ever since early childhood,” claims the artist.
“I realised the only way I could bring together sustainable utility with melodic variety was via starting my own project. Sadly, in our country, the interest still remains to an 80:40 ratio, but it’s much more intense abroad,” says Montry.
From a xylophone like sculpture with wood, stone, brass and aluminium plates, called Sound Table, to a flower gong made of metal plates suspended from stone ‘petals’ – the Sound Garden is an instrument fanatic’s ultimate dream. Dr Aurelio C Hammer from Svaram believes, “The base for a composer, is trying to express themselves through a more or less good translation into their chosen media. When it comes to creating music, one doesn’t have to own expensive instruments, as the language of the soul can be created by using absolutely anything.”
Daniel Waples, more commonly known as the ‘handpan’ man, had embarked upon this journey to create his own style, using a war shield. While it looks old and used, in reality, it’s a carefully crafted percussion instrument. “I had first discovered it at a music festival in 2005,” he reminisces. “The lack of YouTube back then meant no videos for me to learn from. In a way that helped me develop my own style without trying to sound like somebody else."
From pipes to cans and from shields to railings —Bengalureans are out to turn every daily object into a source of music. City-based musician Atreyo Bose concludes, saying, “The real struggle lies in establishing your ground as a serious musician because there are no standards to tally with. From parents to peers, most of them consider it just a passing phase for you. The money is debatable because people usually label it a quirk or an experiment. I want to change this very perspective with my music.”
