The Sunday Soul Sante 2013 - Bangalore ● Photo Showcase

The Sunday Soul Sante 2013 had almost everything to offer - from food to beverages and music to a flea market. The event was organised by Asha Rao and her team at the Embassy International Riding School promises. Apart from damosels in fine-looking garments appearing totally appealing and attractive, the event also witnessed live music by the band Solder and Avril Quadros with her band Hammer N Thong and a fashion show by Prasad Bidapa Associates. Below are few photos of the event.

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Avril Quadros of Hammer N Thong at Sunday Soul Sante (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Avril Quadros at Sunday Soul Sante 2013, Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Avril Quadros of Hammer N Thong at Sunday Soul Sante (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Models at a fashion show at Sunday Soul Sante (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Models at a fashion show at Sunday Soul Sante (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Models at a fashion show at Sunday Soul Sante (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Hammer N Thong at Sunday Soul Sante (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Vocalist Siddharth Abraham of Solder at Sunday Soul Sante (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Sylvester Pradeep of Solder at Sunday Soul Sante (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Bangalore based band Solder at Solder at Sunday Soul Sante 2013 (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Models at a fashion show at Sunday Soul Sante (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Models at a fashion show at Sunday Soul Sante (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Models at a fashion show at Sunday Soul Sante (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Avril Quadros of Hammer N Thong at Sunday Soul Sante (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Surya Nepal Jazzmandu 2013 - bringing musicians together

Surya Nepal Jazzmandu, formally known as the Surya Nepal International Kathmandu Jazz Festival, will once again bring International and Nepali musicians together in the Nepali capital for its 11th edition of “the biggest jazz party in the Himalayas”.

Jazzmandu 2013

Surya Nepal Jazzmandu, formally known as the Surya Nepal International Kathmandu Jazz Festival, will once again bring International and Nepali musicians together in the Nepali capital for its 11th edition of “the biggest jazz party in the Himalayas”.

Since its inception eleven years ago, the festival has grown to become a respected event among music enthusiasts and musicians alike, and an additional attraction for visitors to Nepal. The festival has been instrumental in placing Nepal on the International jazz map and jazz music has now found a place of its own in the heart of the Himalayas.

Over the years, Surya Nepal Jazzmandu has succeeded in not only introducing jazz to Nepal, but also in generating a growing interest for music education and western music traditions. Local musicians who have been exposed to jazz have expanded their creativity, explored new techniques and the freedom of improvisation in playing familiar instruments. The Jazz for the Next Generation competition is now a well established feature of the festival that provides an opportunity for aspiring local young bands to showcase their skills and talent and interact with renowned foreign artists.

The international language of music dismisses narrow socio-cultural divides and cuts across our differences of culture, color, faith, geography to promote peace and compassion in a world in great need of understanding, empathy and tolerance. Surya Nepal Jazzmandu provides an exciting platform for musicians and people of all walks of life to come together through their love of music.

Over the years, the festival has provided free shows for the general public, jazz performances for school students, master classes and workshops by visiting artists for music enthusiasts and students. Over the past eleven years Surya Nepal Jazzmandu has introduced people in Nepal to many great, world-famous jazz artists such as Trilok Gurtu, Louis Banks, Natalie Williams, Ari Hoenig, Tito Puente Jr, Mark Brown Band, and Catia Werneck Quartet to name but a few.

Visiting artists in turn have had the chance to discover and enjoy the rich culture, beauty and diversity of Nepal, to meet and share musical experiences, and jam together with renowned local musicians and other international artists.

The festival presents a unique blend of cultures, musicians and improvisational music to create a magical and unforgettable musical experience in the heart of the Himalayas. Surya Nepal Jazzmandu has successfully brought many reputed musicians from far and wide to the Nepali capital where an ever-growing audience of jazz enthusiasts and music lovers crave quality music. Jazz has permeated cultures all over the world and Surya Nepal Jazzmandu continues to bring musicians from diverse backgrounds to present their unique and refreshing approach to jazz.

This year, the festival features The Claudia Quintet (USA), Mike del Ferro (The Netherlands), Eliane Amherd (Switzerland), Yaite Ramos Quartet (France), 4th Element (India), and from Nepal: Cademza, Gandharva, Joint Family Internationale, the KJC faculty and the Dhime Girls

For more information about the festival and complete artists profiles log on to www.jazzmandu.org.

- EFNI

Kingfisher Strong Backstage - bringing budding artists to the fore

Annie Chawla at Kingfisher Strong Backstage

Kingfisher Strong Backstage, a musical series for promising artists was launched in June, 2013. KSB is a concept where fresh compositions of budding artists are uploaded on Kingfisher’s various digital channels. The project has already taken the social media users by storm.

Till August, performances of eight artists which have been uploaded on Kingfisher’s Facebook page, website and YouTube Channel have garnered more than 2 lac views. The video performances have received more than 70,000 likes within a month, proving love for Indian music and musicians.The artists include Annie Chawla, Mannu Singh, Kaamod Subhash , Siddharth Bhavsar, Arpita Chakraborty and Jatin Udasiand Suraj Bharttiwhose. The artists were chosen from across the country and include people from all walks of life.

Kingfisher Strong Backstage aims to create an exceptional journey through the heart and soul of Indian music, using the digital medium and providing an opportunity to musicians to showcase their talent.

Check out the performances of the artists on Facebook and this website.

An Artist at Kingfisher Strong Backstage

Arpita Chakraborty at Kingfisher Strong Backstage

Mannu Singh at Kingfisher Strong Backstage

- EFNI

Jessica Lewis - the teenage guitar prodigy

She was just 16 years old when musicians like Guthrie Govan, Alex Hutchings and Larry Carlton became her fan. Infact, she played 'Feeling Fine' by Alex Hutchings when she was sixteen. Born in 1994, Jess Lewis was 12 years old when she showed interest in playing the electric guitar and her grandmother was the first person to introduce her to Joe Satriani's music.

Jess' sound is fresh and she has the ability to play almost anything on the guitar including Jazz and Blues music. She was awarded the 'Young Talented Musicians Award' by Royal Manor Arts College and the Rotary Club sponsored her to study 'Rock & Beyond + Jazz' at the International Guitar Foundation when she was 15.

Guitar virtuoso Steve Vai says, “I found this video of “Jess” performing “Die to Live” to be charming. I know what I went through to learn it so hats of to you Jess."

James of London Guitar Academy feels that Jess has the same fresh sound Joe Satriani had when he first released Not Of This Earth.

"Her talent is so organic, it suggests that sometimes nature apportions its blessings in an unfair way when it comes to musical ability" - Alissa Ordabai of PureGuitar says about Jess.

"This is an exciting time, and I cant wait to start creating/composing my own music & I am eternally 'Thankful', to those who have inspired, and who still continue to help me on this journey. I hope my music will do what so many others have done for me over the years. In that it brings with it - PEACE, JOY, HOPE and STRENGTH" - Jess says.

Jess likes Fender Stratocaster guitar and D'Addario strings!

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Watch one of the videos of Jess Lewis performing 'Eternal Blues'

(Photo - www.eternal-guitars.com)
 
- EFNI

Evolution of Music - by Pentatonix

Pentatonix, an A Cappella group of five vocalists from Arlington, Texas is taking instrument-free music far beyond anyone’s wildest expectations. The members of the band are vocalists Scott Hoying (21), Kirstie Maldonado (20) and Mitch Grassi (20), vocal bass Avi Kaplan (23) and beatboxer Kevin “K.O.” Olusola (24).

Their song "Evolution of Music" was published on YouTube on April 18, 2013 and is gaining popularity. Below is a song by the group.

Aawaz - an attempt to create awareness against atrocities on women

Releasing this June, 'Aawaz - speak up against sexual violation' is a music project aimed at generating awareness about violence towards women.

On 16 December 2012, a 23-year-old female physiotherapy intern was brutally beaten and gang raped in Delhi while she was traveling in a bus with her male companion. India stood up as a nation to condemn the horrific act and screamed to see that six men accused of the brutal rape were meted out due punishment. The media frenzy over the incident covered rallies and protests across the nation, which initially seemed promising.

Pratik Nalawade in Aawaz - speak up against sexual violation

There were talks about chemical castration, fast track courts and reforms in rape laws to ensure safety of
women in the country. A noted political leader even conducted a silent march in memory of the unfortunate gang rape victim who succumbed to her internal injuries on 29 December 2012.

In no time, the frenzy died down and spot fixing scams and celebrity arrests took over the national media. People who protested the horrific incident waited in anticipation, much like the victim's family - hoping to see the guilty being punished.

Meanwhile in a parallel India, regional media (and occasionally national media) kept reporting about horrific rape incidents on women of all ages, across the nation. Let's not forget the footage where cops were seen beating a woman for protesting against misdemeanor towards her.

'It is not a time to keep quiet', rose a unanimous thought amongst a group of young adults in Bangalore. 'Aawaz - speak up against sexual violence' is the outcome of that rage, that frustration and that hopelessness, felt while waiting for the law makers and the government to do their jobs. The song is written by Assamese musician Jim Ankan Deka and Ritwika Bhattacharya is an outcry to invoke the nation once again to remind them of the Delhi gang rape incident and many other similar incidents that our country witnesses.

The people associated with this music project are striving to engage people to foster societal reforms, and generate awareness about the laws made to protect women in our country. Aawaz is an attempt to reignite that collective voice and persistently scream to make India a safe haven for women.

- by Parmita Borah

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Recorded at Eastern Fare Studio, Madcat Music Studio, Sargam Audiocraft and Centerstage, Antara Nandy (Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs 2009 Finalist), Queen Hazarika (noted vocalist from Assam) and Ritwika Bhattacharya (song writer) have rendered their voices to the song. The song is composed by Jim Ankan Deka.

People associated with the project in various departments include -

Parmita Borah (direction, production, camera),
Vicky Mahanta, Pankaj Rajkhowa and Pratik Nalawade (music),
Mohd Siraj Mahagavin (animation)
Antara Barua and Rachel Rose Oommen (artists)
Pruthvi, Atlanta, Priyanka, Monibha, Partha, Rahul (production assitant), and
Shasanka Gogoi, Anoop Guha, and Vikramjit Kakati (camera).

- by Team EFNI

LOBELIA 2013 – Fun, Frolic and Fabulous

Science and culture collided at LOBELIA 2013 - the annual fest organized by the R.G Kar Medical College, Kolkata. The young medicos overcame their hectic schedules to be a part of four days of music, culture and endless fun from 26th to 29th of March 2013.

Indian Ocean at LOBELIA 2013, Kolkata

The music scene remained a kaleidoscope of diverse genres – right from Indian classical to rock, pop, hip hop and Bollywood.

The extravaganza intensified as the renowned fusion band ‘Indian Ocean’ took on the stage rendering their hit tracks like Leaving home, Kandisa, Bandeh, Khajuraho, Bondhu. Eminent rock bands like " Underground Authority " and "Lakkhichhara" rocked the evenings with scintillating performances, and 'DJ Harish' let the young doctors loosen up a little trying to make up for the hours of relentless studies and clinical duties.

"Lucid interval” a war-drum 'Battle of Bands' made its way to the top by wooing audiences – old and young alike.

Young medical students, true to their profession, competed fiercely in the ‘Mediquiz’ (as the name suggests a quiz on medical knowhow). The fete also saw witnessed impressive talent in the general quiz, triathlon, antakshari, t-shirt painting, creative writing, poster painting, and photography competitions.

The event was sponsored by Ebela (title sponsor for Lobelia 2013), Hero, and RadioVoice and managed by E365 Media Solutions.

- by Lina Barman

(Edited by Parmita Borah)