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)

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)

Rongali Bihu in Bangalore ● Photo Showcase

The spirit of spring came alive in Bangalore with Bohag Bihu celebrations organized by the Assam Association of Karnataka. The festive occasion amalgamated Assamese people from all corners of Bangalore adorning traditional attires to savor their traditional delicacies. The fête also had Bihu dances, Kanada folk dances, a fashion show displaying mekhela sador and musical performances - including some groovy solos by noted singer Sinchan Manohar Dixit.

Bihu dancers at Rongali Bihu festival in Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Bihu dancer at Rongali Bihu festival in Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Bihu dancer at Rongali Bihu festival in Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Model displaying Assamese 'mekhela sador' at Rongali Bihu festival in Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Singer Sinchan Dixit at Rongali Bihu festival in Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Bihu dancers at Rongali Bihu festival in Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Models displaying Assamese 'mekhela sador' at Rongali Bihu festival in Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Psychedelic evening with Deep Forest at Deep India concert

Electronica may be the flavor of the hour, but certainly not my first choice. Therefore a day before The Deep India Concert at Vivanta by Taj on December 13, 2012, I decided to chat up with Eric Mouquet, the front man of Grammy Award winning Deep Forest, and learn a thing or two about his music. (Click here to read Eric Moquet's interview). He clarified my doubt that although elctronica has become synonymous with mash-ups, club and dance music for my generation, his music has a wider scope to it. Deep Forest strives to create a synergy between technologies like sampling with deep rooted folk elements and even organic sound effects. Deep India is a spin off of that very concept.

Deep India Concert at Vivanta by Taj

For those who didn't know 'The Deep India concert' is a brief musical tour to promote the project 'Deep India', a collaboration between Deep Forest and Indian santoor player Rahul Sharma. The event was on the breezy evening of December 13, at Vivanta by Taj. Our moods pretty much in sync with psychedelic lights emitted by busy traffic, we reached an hour early for the concert and binged on yummy tidbits, standing next to an open bar.

I may still not be a trance/elctronica fan, but in all honesty, it was one hell of a show. Deep Forest kicked off the evening with some unhurried dreamy tracks, with David Fall on the drums, Alune Wade on the bass, Olyza Zamati - the vocalist, and the master himself Eric Mouquet on the keys (both on the keyboard and the laptop).

The highlight of the show has got to be composition 'Viva Madikere,' an ode to the enchanting hill station town Madikere. There's an interesting story behind this song. It so happened that Indian santoor player had recorded some drum beats, vocals and natural sound effects during his stay at Madikere and send them to Eric to get a flavor of the land. Inspired by the flavors of the place, Deep Forest worked on the song and named it 'Viva Madikere', which later paved way for the complete musical collaboration - Deep India. The audience were equally thrilled to groove to a Bihu song (traditional folk song of Assam) that Eric had fused with techno beats!

- by Parmita Borah                5HUE2USGAHPQ

Eric Mouquet of Deep Forest at Deep India Concert (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Olyza Zamati at Vivanta by Taj, Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Alune Wade of Deep Forest at Deep India Concert, Bangalore, India  (photo - Parmita Borah)

Olyza Zamati at Deep India Concert, Vivanta by Taj, Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

David Fall at Deep India Concert, Vivanta by Taj, Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Eric Mouquet of Deep Forest at Vivanta by Taj, Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Olyza Zamati of Deep Forest at Vivanta by Taj, Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Eric Mouquet at Deep India Concert, Vivanta by Taj, India (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Grammy award winning Deep Forest to perform at ‘Deep India’ concert

Eric Mouquet (Deep Forest)

Deep Forest, the Grammy Award winning band from France will be performing for the first time in India at 'Deep India' concert on Thursday, December 13. The venue Vivanta by Taj at MG Road, Bangalore in collaboration with Sony Music will showcase this musical evening.

Deep Forest, comprising of  Michel Sanchez and Eric Mouquet, was nominated for a Grammy Award for the first time in 1994 and won the award for the album 'Boheme' in 1995. The band is known for their unique music, also known as 'ethnic electronica'.

The band will be performing in the city to celebrate the “one with nature” rainforest retreat 'Vivanta Madikeri Coorg'. Their collaboration with Santoor maestro Rahul Sharma will be available in an upcoming album ‘Deep India’. One of the tracks from the album is a tribute to Vivanta by Taj - Madikeri, Coorg, a visually stunning rainforest retreat spread across 180 acres.

Tickets of the event are priced at Rs.2000 and one can contact 080-6660-4444 for advance booking.

Vivanta by Taj Currently comprises of 25 hotels and resorts in India and the Indian Ocean region. Vivanta by Taj is represented across key metropolitan capitals as well as popular holiday destinations like Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

- EFNI

Harley Rock Riders Season 3, Bangalore ● Photo Showcase

Harley Rock Riders Season III turned out to be a godfather of all events with an assemblage of thousands of music and motorbike aficionados in Bangalore at the Clarks Exotica bringing the best of both worlds - Harley-Davidson’s classic bikes and rock music. The event marked the unveiling of Harley Davidson’s newest progeny FAT BOB. Priced at Rs 12.8 lac, Fat Bob is a wide, blacked-out Dyna with Twin Cam 96 engine, 'Tommy Gun' 2-1-2 exhaust and helical-cut fifth gear.

The historic association of Harley-Davidson with rock music and its legends gave birth to the annual music property - Harley Rock Riders in India in 2012. The focus of this initiative is to revolutionize the rock music culture in India by encouraging promising indigenous rock bands and providing them a unique platform to showcase their talent.

This mega carnival in association with Rolling Stone, offered a myriad of national and international rocks bands to mark with ‘Budweiser Band Hunt’ winners kicking off a prelude to an evening of roar of V- engines and overdriven guitars. The Indian repertoire of powerhouse performances included Albatros, Light Years, Solder, The News, Frank Got The Funk, Galeej Gurus , Boomerang,, Kryptos, and Soulmate. The finale had the folks of Bengaluru head banging to the Swedish metal band ‘Wolf’. Harley Davidson India managing director Anoop Prakash was also seen giving away one of the models for free!

Kryptos at Harley Rock Riders, Bangalore, India (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Soulmate from Shillong, Meghalaya at Harley Rock Riders, Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Wolf from Sweden at Harley Rock Riders, Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Niklas Stålvind of Wolf at Harley Rock Riders, Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Nolan Lewis of Kryptos at Harley Rock Riders, Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Joshua of Boomerang from Mizoram at Harley Rock Riders (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Boomerang at Harley Rock Riders, Bangalore, India (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Boomerang rock band from Mizoram at Harley Rock Riders, Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Boomerang, band from Mizoram at Harley Rock Riders, Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Wolf, Swedish metal band at Harley Rock Riders, Bangalore, India (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Tipriti K Bangar of Soulmate at Harley Rock Riders, Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Atea of Boomerang at Harley Rock Riders, Bangalore (photo - Jim Ankan Deka)

Harley Rock Riders Season 3, Bangalore, India (photo - Parmita Borah)

- by Parmita Borah & Jim Ankan Deka

Antara Nandy at Alive India in Concert in Bangalore ● Photo Showcase

Alive India in Concert, a musical evening to celebrate the lingering spirit of Diwali and Children's day, presented a myriad of juvenile talent. Amongst the known faces, we saw Bangalore's own chote ustaad Aditya Vittal and folk queen Dipannita Acharya. 

The highlighted of the evening, however, must be credited to an uninhibited, power-packed performance by 'Zee Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' prodigy Antara Nandy with a diverse repertoire of songs including Rolling in the Deep and Waka Waka. Antara's cover of a Bihu song featuring fusion musician Jim Ankan got the audiences grooving the most.

The event was organized by Bangalore-based band Aurko at the Phoenix Market City on November 17, 2012.

Jim Ankan Deka and Antara Nandy - Alive India in Concert (Photo - Parmita Borah)

Antara Nandy - Alive India in Concert (Photo - Parmita Borah)

Aditya Vittal - Alive India in Concert, Bangalore (Photo - Parmita Borah)

Alive India in Concert, Bangalore

Antara Nandy, Alive India in Concert, Bangalore (Photo - Parmita Borah)

Aurko, band from Bangalore, Alive India in Concert

Jim Ankan Deka and Antara Nandy, Alive India in Concert, Bangalore (Photo - Parmita Borah)

Antara Nandy with children, Alive India in Concert, Bangalore (Photo - Parmita Borah)

Jim Ankan, Antara Nandy and Aurko - Alive India in Concert, Bangalore, India (Photo - Parmita Borah)

 - by Parmita Borah