Yesterday we received an invitation in a bottle for an evening of Music & Merry from Bates. The venue was Bates office and the musical evening was christened HAL CHAL. Several of us set off for Bates at about 6.45pm. I was the first to arrive there and the place was still being set up. So I made use of the time trying to understand the purpose of the evening, I mean apart from the fact that, we guys needed some excuse to party anyway.
The durries were laid out, the candles lit all over the office for effect and posters were put up. Soon the musicians, four of them and an old guy in the back for support I guess. He broke into narration about the history of each song that was going to be performed and even lent his voice every now and then. Once the music was underway and people started pouring and finding themselves a place to enjoy the evening, be it a chattai, mora, a ledge or just a place to stand, the bar was opened.
Wine, whiskey, vodka starting flowing accompanied with a steady stream of shingara (samosas) and chops. There was popcorn and chips too. Finally a leaf plate laden with a huge fish fry and other stuff was served. The session carried on and people kept doing their own thing, some engaged in animated discussion about campaigns, music, books and movies. There was another section of people just waiting in the wings to change the tempo and genre of music. Three guitars lying in the wings waiting to be strummed and once the folk musicians with their traditional instruments and unique sounds had enthralled us all for a good hour and half, the jamming started. I must admit I only got to know what one of the string instruments being played was called. A “dotara”! The others I’ll find out in due course, maybe the Dover Lane Music Conference.
People were in high spirits and the music also took on that beat. Renditions of “Jealous Guy by Lennon” and “Ballad of John and Yoko by The Beatles” are some of the tracks in my foggy memory. Finally the curtains came down and all of us had to get back home, but not without the promise of another musical session like this in the not too distant future. The drive home was without incident, but I do remember burning a bit of rubber on the off take.
This morning I posted the pictures online and shared the album with some of the guys there and here’s a great reply I got:
“Dude, really cool pictures! It was like a mini Woodstock. There was great music, good booze, walking in the muck, and people joining in whom you really didn't know. I stepped on some toes, elbowed a few people, knocked over some glasses, pinched some cutlets, stomped to the music, banged into the walls and went home and crashed out. What a bash!!!” - Arjun
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