To truly gauge the influence of Divine on India’s hip-hop scene over the last decade, one must attend his concerts. With the most recent one being at the recently-concluded 14th edition of SulaFest in Nashik last weekend, Vivian Fernandes, aka Divine, was a livewire as he kept his fans at the amphitheatre in a groovy headspace, just like how a conductor holds sway with an orchestra. He was at his refreshing, frank best as he opened up for an interview after a long time.

Being the headliner on the first day of the music festival, if that wasn’t enough to prove his fandom, the tug-of-war that ensued when he threw his jacket into the crowd during the performance showcased his fan following. Post his performance, fans were spotted all over the venue just to get a glimpse of him. The festival, which returned after five years, had a stellar line-up of Indian artistes that also featured Ritviz with Karan Kanchan, Dualist Inquiry, When Chai Met Toast and Oaff x Savera, among others.