India on Shuffle
The beauty of music lies in its ability to provide feeling across borders, classes, and races, and to resonate where words fail. I remember hearing the Gypsy Kings playing live at a Merkato 55 brunch party in New York; I remember dancing to Cuban band Las Orishas at Poble Espanol in Barcelona; I remember listening to Australian rock from my tent at Glastonbury in the U.K.; I remember singing “Beautiful” along with Akon, live at the Indian Premiere League Launch in Mumbai. With such an eclectic fusion of sounds crossing the globe, I wondered about India’s spot on the playlist. While Bollywood music is certainly a global export, my time in Mumbai has introduced me to a new, innovative, and increasingly popular scene that is gaining momentum all over India and on the international stage.
Indian Ocean Performing
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Dance Dance Revolution
The kids went around the room and shared their favorite songs and favorite films. Some mentioned the latest Bollywood hits, while others spoke wistfully of numbers released well before their time. In the midst of the circle sat Nic and Nicole, two British singers I previously wrote about and have been working with here in Mumbai. They came to India to spread their unique English-Hindi-Punjabi sound, and I organized for them to come to the Akanksha Center and conduct song and dance workshops with the kids for the upcoming showcase. Always excited about the prospect of a little Bollywood in their lives, the kids once again gave it their all with a talent that never ceases to amaze me.
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I Like the Way You Move
When I first mentioned to my friend from Mumbai that I was going to spend Sundays at the Dharavi Shelter working on art projects with kids, he scoffed at me. A Sunday, especially a slightly hungover one, in the middle of the Indian Summer, in the middle of a slum? He grew up in Mumbai, and yet, at 29, had never been to Dharavi. He had better things to do. When I finally dragged him to come with me last week, after months of convincing, his reaction took us both by complete surprise. No matter how you feel, how bad your day was, how much the heartbreak hurts, there is something about a child who doesn’t have much yet whose smile is the size of the universe, that gets you inside. My friend made himself right at home, sitting on the floor with the children and teaching them how to paint dil se — from their hearts. I think I’ll be seeing him there every Sunday…..
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Cricket or Controversy
Glitz and glamour is back in Mumbai as Lakme Fashion Week rolls into the season of the Indian Premier League, or the IPL. The IPL is a Twenty20 cricket competition that includes 8 teams, or franchises, consisting of the top cricket players from all over the world. The third season of the IPL started in India on 12 March 2010 and is due to last over a period of 45 days. As mostly everything else in India, the IPL is very heavily influenced by Bollywood. Bollywood actresses Shilpa Shetty and Preity Zinta are both co-owners of IPL Teams, and Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan is the owner of the ever-popular Kolkata Knight Riders team. All 55 matches will be followed by an afterparty and fashion show, organized by Bollywood star Arjun Rampal and his wife. The IPL Opening Party included all of the main Bollywood stars, and randomly, Lionel Ritchie and Akon. I went to a match last Saturday and Bollywood music played almost the entire time as cheerleaders danced to the tunes and the crowd went wild singing the songs and cheering on their teams.
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Pride Of A Nation
I feel like I’m constantly searching for inspiration. I look for it like I do a lost item, in different places and institutions, almost desperately. India has taught me however that inspiration doesn’t necessarily come from traveling the world over seeking clarity, although it certainly can. India has taught me that inspiration can very genuinely come from within, through faith, culture and identity. The more I see of India, the more I see the pride that these people take in their religion, their nation, their culture and their identity as citizens of Hindustan.
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Up to four awards will be available to pursue projects around an aspect of international contemporary or popular music as a cultural force for expression. Preference will be given to creative projects that are conveyed in a dynamic fashion and are accompanied by a feasible plan. In addition to presenting unique projects on music as a global force for mutual understanding. Deadline to apply is March 1, 2012.