Bell Bajao and Swarathma rock Puttur
Pyar ke rang..Bell Bajao style!
A rock act set in a sleepy town…”what in the world are you talking about?”…Not for Bell Bajao and Swarathma though..We rocked Puttur and how !!
The band arrived in Puttur with our Karnataka manager (talk of hospitality!) at 7am on 13th..and headed for a bungalow Breakthrough had organised..The tempo with endless equipment arrived soon after and so does our Videographer Natesh whose team is very kicked to begin shooting..(did i mention we are making a music video?)
I was running around to organise mattresses and carrying buckets of water as there was no power to work the gensets ! and the boys wanted to bathe.
Swarathma arrives at Puttur
Amidst the chaos,managed to grab a coffee..aha! the exotic southie variety..and we left for our first performance scheduled for 10:30am at Mahalingeshwaram temple..coincidently, Mohan and self had gone to the Police station to get permission to play loud music in the temple complex!
Setting up the stage
Still setting up the stage, its quite a task
The set-up takes ages..meanwhile our street play group gather a crowd and curious Puttur-ites are wondering what the ruckus is all about..the Tirikitta guys are fabulous!
The band finally finishes a sound check and buy do they roll ! The sun’s beating down mercilessly and its hot as ever..but the crowds love us and can’t get enough of the Kannad rock! The locals are little thanda though..but the Breakthrough team makes up for that with loud applause and screams…
Love “Pyar ke rang”….and “Topiwale”…the sound is electric and earthy at the same time..gives me the goosies!
Wrap up around 1:30pm..overshot the alloted time..team is famished and drenched with sweat..
Locals ask us to come back in the evening to the same location as the crowds will be double..Vani is in a fix..nevertheless we go to the temple authorities to seek permission!
Move back to the bungalow to lunch,wash and rest..rest however is far from what I do..sent some of my morning shots to my colleague in Delhi to post on our active online community..let everyone have some fun!
Venue change puts original plans into a tizzy as I re-work the Red FM guys who are doing a live feed from the concert area..and i try and convince press people about the change in venue.. students from nearby colleges pour in to meet the band..i have to get them to the next act!! Arrrghhh !
Amidst the confusion I look at the watch and its 4:30pm !! We play at 5:00pm and the venue is 10 mins away..panic galore and to top that we can’t yell or talk as Natesh is doing his sound bytes with the Band..
Manage to get the street play team,band guys and Vani packed into vehicles and off to the venue..seems like a never ending road trip..Am exhausted due to the heat,but its worth while!
The evening is cooler thank god! and the band finishes their shots for the video..street play rolls and the crowd is double that of the morning..the band wears funky hippy clothes..just adds to their zing!
The crowds are more responsive than the morning..people clap and love the music..Boman watches over us silently! Vasu gets the crowd to shout “Bell MADDI” !
The evening draws to a close and the fans cant’ get enough of the band..the boys are inundated for autographs and photographs..
Video Van team with the Band
We dismantle the cords..and wrap up the equipment..some of it i don’t touch lest i get a rap!
More confusion about who is headed where..i need to catch a ride to Mangalore..Natesh is sweet to help me out…but where do we sit coz Vasu from Swarathma has loaded the vehicle with guitars and drum sets!!
Vani insists we head back to the bungalow for dinner as the food will go waste…more delay to reach Mangalore..gosh..!
Gobble up my dinner..band wants beer !
Squeeze into Natesh’s sumo…and its a bumpy ride to Mangalore at 10:30pm !
Check into Nalappad and crash..exhausted,but Swarathma rings on in my mind….
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You may read about Swarathma’s experience with the Bell Bajao! video van and their sentiments and support towards the cause on their blog.
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More photos on Swarathma Flickr page.
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Tagged bell bajao, breakthrough, domestic violence, mangalore, puttur, ring the bell, swarathma, video van
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RohiniApril 15, 2010 at 9:25 pm
I love the photographs. And it seems like a successful attempt at reaching the masses. I love the response that seems to come through in the photographs. Next stop, Pune. Can’t wait.
pialiApril 19, 2010 at 10:15 am
Hey!
So much wanted to be there……… should have the next performance at Delhi