Kay Kay or KK

Attended a concert by Kay Kay or KK titled 'Mesmerizing KK'. Accompanying Artists were Rinku Rajput (Keyboard), Jaydeep Tirumalai (Base guitar), Lindsey Demello ( Drums), Kalyan Barua (Guitar), The concert was organized by  India Social and Cultural Centre as part of their Golden Jubilee Celebrations on their roof top on 21st Dec 2017. I attended the concert with Aditi, Mihika, Pooja, Sameer, Rucha, Neha, Prakash, Swati Gauri, Gargi, Priya, Santos, Ashok, Savita, Saanvi and Ishanvi.

This open air concert was originally scheduled on 8th Dec but was cancelled at last moment due to bad weather and shifted today. 

KK (Krishnakumar Kunnath) is considered one of the most versatile singers in India. He has never undergone any formal training in music. He sung more than 3500 jingles before breaking into Bollywood and has sung numerous hit songs.

Concert started with 'Kya muze pyar hai (क्या मुझे प्यार है)'. Audience instantly responded and sung with him. It was followed by 'Dil ibadat (दिल ईबादत)' and then 'Sach keh raha hai diwana (सच कह रहा है दीवाना)' from film RHTDM.

He then sung 'Tuzko jo paya (तुझीको जो पाया)' composed by Pritam followed by 'Labon ko labon pe (लबोंको लबोंपे)' and 'O humdum suniyo re (ओ हमदम सुनियो रे)'. Then he sung 'Sung hoon tere (संग हूं तेरे)'. I had never heard this song before. 

He sung a song dedicated to all beautiful ladies 'Akhon mein teri ajabsi (आखों मे तेरी अजबसी)' and made them sing. 'Abhi Abhi dilki suni hai (अभि अभि दिलकी सुनी है)' and 'Tuhi meri shab hai (तुही मेरी शब है)' followed suit. 

His famous song 'Yaron dosti (यारों दोस्ती)'. He told how he recorded a song solo while on vacation in Australia, upon urgent request of composer Pritam. He sung that song from film Bajarangi bhaijan 'To jo mila (तू जो मिला)'. It was followed by fast song 'Hai junoon (है जुनून)'. This was interval. 

After interval he narrated a story of how he came to sing one of his most famous songs and then sung it 'TadapTadap ke (तडप तडपके)' from Him dil de chuke sanam. He sung this song with only keyboard and then guitars to accompany.  No rhythm. He sung it with his heart. 

'Hum rahe ya na rahe (हम रहे या ना रहे)' a slow and delicate song was followed by faster 'Khuda jane ke mai fida (खुदा जाने के मैं फिदा)'. He played a small trumpet piece by mouth during this song. 'Jarasi dilmein de jagah tu (जरासी दिलमें दे जगही तू)' followed thereafter. 

The mood changed to rhythmic beats for dancing in the final segment of concert. He sung 'Tune mari entriyan (तूने भारी एंन्ट्रीयाॅ)'. He started with Bengali version and them switched to Hindi. Audience entered the pit and danced, all our kids included. Then came title song of remake of film Don 'Main hun Don (मैं हूं डाॅन)'. He removed his jacket for the next song 'Dus bahane karke (दसरा बहाने करके)'. It was immediately followed by 'Desi boys (देसी बाॅईज)' and 'It's the time to disco (इट्स द टाईम टु डिस्को)'

'Koi kahe kehta rahe (कोई कहे कहता रहे)'.In the Josh, he went out of tune in this song. He introduced the musicians and gave each of them 2 minutes of fame. He concluded the concert with same song. 

It was an experience of re-education Ann's revelation for many. Song is known. Oh! It is sung by KK!

KK, clad in black suit, entranced the audience. To gauge the audience involvement he sometimes missed a line and kept quiet but the audience sung instead and carried the song forward for him to pick up.  Audience needed no urging to sing along. KK's voice has a special quality. His unpretentious attitude won the audience instantly. 

Being a Mallu by origin and the program being in The Gulf, it's commendable that he resisted temptation of singing a Malayalam song. 

All the musicians were good. A concert with just four musicians is a rare deal. But no instrument was found wanting. 

Audio system was very good. Strobe lights from stage on audience were source of eye irritation. Program would have been better without them. 

Audience's sing-along was unprecedented. Audience mostly sang vocables and I realized how many of his songs have liberal dose of vocables. This was one concert where I found it most. 

Entertainment rating 8.5/10.

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D# Fusion: From strings to soul...

Attended a concert titled "D# Fusion: From strings to soul...". Today's performing artists were Troily Dutta (Sarod), A. Rajesh (Ghatam), Jay (Keyboard and Vocal) and Soumen Hazra (Tabla). Aryaman and Aritrika were the child singers who made a brief adherence. The program was organized by  D# Fusion in Embassy of India auditorium on 9th Dec 2017. I attended the concert with Jayant.

As the title suggests, it was a fusion concert. However, it was not the fusion of east and west but the fusion of Indian classical music, contemporary music, Indian folk music and Bollywood classics. It was fusion with a difference. 

Concert started with 'Divinity' a composition in Raag Yaman (यमन). They presented song 'Aadi pujit pad pankaj' followed by a bandish 'Zid na dharo', where Ghatam joined in.  Singers sung good Sargam during this Bandish. 

Second composition was in Raag Maru Bihag (मारू बिहाग) (Attributed to Ustad Alldiya Khan, founder of Jaipur-Atrauli gharana). They presented song 'Pia tora kaisa abhiman' from film Raincoat. Then they played fusion with drums, however, it was a pre recorded track for drums. 

Next they presented a Symphony in Raag Tilak Kamod (तिलक कमोद). The combination of Ghatam, Tabla and Sarod sounded very good. It was a char taal ki sawari with Vilambit in 11 beat cycle and Drut in 16 beat cycle. This included very enjoyable Sawal-Jawab between Ghatam and Tabla.

Here there was a break of 5 minutes that lasted 15 minutes. It broke the flow. I thought it would have been better to skip the break. 

First composition after break was titled 'Serenity'. It was an improvisation of Raag Hemant (हेमंत). Raag Hemant was created by Ustad Allauddin Khan. They presented famous song 'Ye hausla kaise jhuke' from film Dor. Soumen played electronic drums for this song. 

Medley of folk numbers from Rajasthan, Assam, Maharashtra and Bengal was next on agenda. This included Raag Mand (मंद), Dhun probably in Mishra Khamaj (मिश्र खमाज) and Bhairavi (भैरवी).

Concert concluded with a composition 'The eternal joy' based on Raag Hamsadhwani (हंसध्वनी).  They presented 'Bavra man dekhne chala ek sapana' from film 'Hazaron khwahishe aisi' followed by famous Carnatic composition 'Vatapi Ganapati'. There was Sawal-Jawab between Sarod, Percussionists and Vocal during this. 

At this point Sarod chords snapped. It was a difficult moment. But rest of the performers showed presence of mind to continue with Vatapi Ganapati until she restored the chords. This one was real impromptu. Then they took up where they had left and reached crescendo to conclude inn a high note. 

Why the name D# Fusion? Sounds different! Well, D# for D Sharp note and D'Fusion of music. Creative and Innovative!

Concert started almost one hour late. Previously declared Ghatam player, Kadir, could not participate due to unforeseen reasons, so Rajesh was flown in from India for this concert. He is a professional artist and obviously played well. 

Soumen used two Tablas. However, rather than changing, he arranged both in front of him and played the one he required. He also played drums and demonstrated his versatility. 

Jay, the vocalist, used keyboard for chords. If he had played keyboard it would have become more profound.

Triolee plays Sarod very well. She had to under play to stay with the group. She has potential more than what was on display. I would like to see her play pure classical solo Sarod. 

Audio system was very good. A guy was taking photos of artists throughout the program, disturbing them. Attendance was about 75.

Local artists have shown that they can create content at par with others. Encouragement is due. Well done!