Eka, a Delhi/ Bangalore-based band took freedom the extra mile to create a genre called Swatantra Rock with two ex-Euphoria members who have decided to leave the past behind
Eka, a Delhi/ Bangalore-based band took freedom the extra mile to create a genre called Swatantra Rock with two ex-Euphoria members who have decided to leave the past behind
Three musicians who took their school associations rather seriously, decades later sit huddled together with guitars and other musical bric-a-brac in a studio humming out of more than mere nostalgia. The band is EKA, the faces familiar (two out of three atleast) and the music hummable even on the first listen. One of the songs is called Chalte Jaana and the subtext of the lyrics will become evident to you even before they spell it out. 
Hugely popular, Delhi-based rock band Euphoria split last year creating much rustle in the Indian music scene. Two members, guitarist Benjamine (Benny) Pinto and vocalist Hitesh (Rikki) Madan set out in search of freedom and more music. Lokesh Madan, Rikki's cousin who shared his interest in music was in search of the same but from a corporate job in Bangalore. The final tug came when the three watched the film 'Rock On' at the same time in three different cities. The result was a genre called Swatantra Rock and a band called Eka (meaning unison).
While new beginnings are in full blast and Eka has their first performance in town lined-up as part of the Bengaluru Habba this Saturday, the past can hardly be forgotten especially when it comes associated with the history of one of the country's most widely known pop rock band. "After all you don't want something good to end," says Rikki talking about Euphoria days.
"The idea was to put together a band with no set rules or boundaries, a band that defines unity and oneness with oneself and fellow artists," he adds. With a longer list of what a band must not include than what it must, Rikki and Benny speak with a tad bit of distaste, to put it mildly. "We had invested in the band, it was all collective, even financially," says Benny. "We will not repeat the same mistakes," he adds.
After 14 good years as part of Euphoria, Hitesh and Benny got together with Lokesh (Loki) for a jamming session in Bangalore. "We hadn't jammed in about a decade and when we did we knew we had to do something together," says Loki who gave up his long-standing IT career and a General Manager's post at a BPO to find his true calling.
The music is catchy initially, hummable and pop-rock like there after. Eka is a five piece band with the three full time members and two others, Bosco Dsouza on drums and Hiten Panwar on Indian percussion. "It is not a conscious effort to constantly sound different from our previous band Euphoria but we have been told we sound unlike them," says Benny. "The music and lyrics are a reflection of who we are, it's not forced, conscious. It is not doctored anymore," he adds (no pun intended with regard to Dr Palash Sen of course).
Different people they tell us connect with the songs like Nimbu Paani and Aaye Tum in different ways and each of them has a story to tell about how even a child can find parts in their songs to relate to. Half a dozen gigs down, Eka has a series of plans in the pipeline that intend to take Swatantra rock far and wide. "We have not released any albums yet. We have plans of releasing through films and things might soon work out in that arena," says Lokesh while keeping the names and details away.
Their dreams are big, their names and associations bigger, they still remind you of the days when Maeri could set your heart racing and they look quite the same (checkered clothes kept intact), only a tad bit older.
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At: Gayatri Vihar, Palace Grounds
On: January 29, 6 pm
Call: 2361 0920 for passes
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