Adding to the cacophony of Churchgate Station this Monday morning, amidst umbrella sellers and train announcements, harried cops and hurried passengers, were a sitar player and a table maestro, too decently dressed to be buskers, drawing a crowd of suspicious onlookers. "Flash mob," a college student whispered to her friend. But instead, this was the first gig sponsored by the NSPA (National Streets for Performing Arts), a new NGO that aims to convert public spaces like amphitheatres, promenades, and, in this case, railway stations into temporary culture hubs.
Track Record
For this month and November, the NSPA will work with the Railways department to set up acoustic gigs on specific corners of three Mumbai stations—Churchgate, Bandra and Borivali—where classical, western, fusion musicians will play to in morning and evening two-hour slots.
“The idea was to host a performance that can be absorbed even in packed places with mobile crowds,” says Anisha George, co-ordinator of this project. “To see a play or watch an artist paint on a large canvas, you have to stay for the entire act to absorb it completely. With music, you can walk in and out of a song or between songs.”
Hindustani classical musicians KK Singh and Smit Dharia, folk rock guitarist Neeraj Arya, new-age blues guitarist Imli Imchen (see image) and brass trio Brass àChaar played the first station gig at Churchgate station on Monday—and the reaction was better than expected. “In the morning slot, we managed to build a lot of curiosity, despite the usual office rush,” recalls Anisha. “In the evening, we had close 100 to 200 people gathered around the artists and some even stayed for the entire set!”
Hindustani classical musicians KK Singh and Smit Dharia, folk rock guitarist Neeraj Arya, new-age blues guitarist Imli Imchen (see image) and brass trio Brass àChaar played the first station gig at Churchgate station on Monday—and the reaction was better than expected. “In the morning slot, we managed to build a lot of curiosity, despite the usual office rush,” recalls Anisha. “In the evening, we had close 100 to 200 people gathered around the artists and some even stayed for the entire set!”
If You’d Like To Busk a Move
If you are a musician and interested in getting involved, send a music clip to Anisha at anisha@helpyourngo.com or give her a call at 982017109 to set up an audition. If they’re happy with what they hear, you’ll sign a 3-month contract. A solo artist can get paid up to up to Rs 6,000 a month and a band (of not more than three members) Rs 9,000 a month.
The next gig is today, October 10, at Borivali station, with performances by KK Singh, Suresh Kala and folk rock guitarist Pratyul Joshi. And on Sunday, head to Bandra station where Kabir rock artist Neeraj Arya and Carnatic musicians Vishwanath Ramaswamy and K Dakshinamurthy will perform.
Getting there: The gigs will take place in the morning (9 to 11 am) and evening (5.30 to 7 pm), every Monday at Churchgate station, Wednesdays at Borivali station and Saturdays at Bandra station, see the entire schedule here
Post a Comment