Reggae Therapy

A band in the capital is paying tribute to Bob Marley on his death anniversary today. Will you be there?

Reggae Therapy

A band in the capital is paying tribute to Bob Marley on his death anniversary today. Will you be there?

On this very same day, in 1981, 36-year-old Bob Marley lay dying on his hospital bed. His last pearls of wisdom to his son Ziggy -- "Money can't buy life." Sure it can't if you haven't comprehended it by now.

The band plays at the Holi Cow festival

But music can. That is exactly why Mob Marley Inc., A Roots, Rock Reggae band (and a little more than that) is dishing out Reggae therapy today to this restless city of ours, honoring the musical legend. The members include Chintan Kalra (vocals and keys), Diggy Dang Raghav (guitar), Rohit Kulkarni (guitar), Nikhil Vasudeva (drums) and Sid Maths Mathur (bass). This reporter lounged in the band's lead vocalist's drawing room chair and found out more.

it ain't a lovely morning
Mornings aren't the best time to catch a man who earns his living being a rock star and plays the bass guitar. You have to bring in his newspapers lying by the door mat and shake him out of bed for an interview. Luckily, a thin and lanky Chintan hops out to meet me with a bandage around his leg. I'm immediately reminded of Marley's Europe tour in the summer of 1977, where he injured his toe while playing football. "Oh! This is nothing. Another band member had his finger bitten by his dog so today we are going to be a broken band on stage," Chintan says with an easy laugh.

Absorbing the 'punches'
Yes, 'broken' is the word you would associate with Bob Marley as well. The man broke down walls and boundaries through his music. "Marley's music was about socio-cultural issues but it has a universal appeal as well," says Chintan. "I grew up in the Capital and all the world's problems is Delhi's problem. Be it trouble in Pakistan, the US or in the north-eastern part of this country. Delhi absorbs all the repercussions," he adds.
It is moments and beliefs like these which justify his place in a band like Parikrama, which as the industry legend goes, stood the test of time and resisted 'Bollywood' temptations for a long time. But coming up with another one revolving around Reggae, how does this once quick tempered-now-mellowed- down guitarist justify that? "Well, last year we realised how little people listen to Reggae in Delhi. We are a city which has road rage, indifference and big social divides. Bob Marley's music is liberating, you are bouncing and jumping. There are emotions but no sadness, no angst. That is what this city needs," he says, lighting a smoke.

Thus they were born
Thus was born Mob Marley Inc., a band made of people from different bands but with a common vision. "Our different influences will definitely seep into the music we play today. We will be playing mostly Bob's pieces and yes, mean boy Ziggy's as well," informs Chintan. Chintan fell in love with Bob Marley after college, like many others after they had had the dose of LPs (Led Zeppelins and Pink Floyds). But that, he believes, shouldn't be the case with collegegoers today. "Bollywood is like this big bungalow in your neighbourhood which plays loud music and people in funny clothes dance around. But Reggae for me is like placid waters. Calmness in chaos. When we play in a few hours I'll simply move my shoulders and tap my feet. I'll be happy," says Chintan.
Happiness, that's again one thing money can't buy but music can surely provide. Ask Chintan. Or ask Bob!

When: Today
At: Manajsa, G-12, G Block Market, Hauz Khas
Timings: 9pm onwards
Ring: 9999886558