An unusual song from an ususual take on an age hold hero - yes I am talking about the song Tauba Tera Jalwa from the movie Dev D - has been topping the charts recently. A song sung and played a brass band - the ones that usually play during weddings - is an interesting concept, but has got little attention compared to its novelty. All attention, and deserving so, has been focused on A. R. Rahman winning the Oscars. But just like the brass band, Rahman has had too little attention in the past. The musician is a true genius - probably the best the industry has - and has been making the nation proud for quite some time. From the usual bollywood tunes, to the patriotic vande matatram and Jaana Gaana Maana, to the musical Bombay Dreams, to chinese movie scores to the Lord of the Rings - he's played'em all.
So whats common between A. R. Rahman and the brass band? Why would one want to talk about a little know brass band and A . R. Rahman?
The reason is an English band called "The Bollywood Brass Band". I was introduced to this band by a friend of mine while travelling to a common friend's pre-wedding dinner (Read: Me Mubaikar). This band of more than 10 musicians, playing instruments like saxophones, trumpets, dhol, bass drums etc, is Europe's first Indian wedding brass band. Inspired by hindi music -as the name suggests - the band was formed back in 1992 to perform with the Shyam Brass Band of India at the International Festival of Street Music in London. And since then, there has been no looking back for this bollywood and punjabi music inspired band that plays popular hindi music - the brass band style.
The reason is an English band called "The Bollywood Brass Band". I was introduced to this band by a friend of mine while travelling to a common friend's pre-wedding dinner (Read: Me Mubaikar). This band of more than 10 musicians, playing instruments like saxophones, trumpets, dhol, bass drums etc, is Europe's first Indian wedding brass band. Inspired by hindi music -as the name suggests - the band was formed back in 1992 to perform with the Shyam Brass Band of India at the International Festival of Street Music in London. And since then, there has been no looking back for this bollywood and punjabi music inspired band that plays popular hindi music - the brass band style.
The band recently performed at the The Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week 2008 in Delhi, India.
Its not too difficult to guess then, that while following popular hindi music, the band discovered A. R. Rahman and was astonished with his style of music. And what followed, is an album called Rahmania - a composition of the early hits of Rahman - brass band style. Intriguing and indulging - the best description I could find for this little known album. Its not too easy to pick up a genius's work and tweak it into your own style, but this bands hard work has played well. Not only is the outcome as fresh as Rahman's own compositions, the music gives a whole new life to Rahman's early hits.
Unfortunately the albums not easily available in India, but if you see it around, dont waste any thought before picking this one up - its surely a collector's album - a true genius meets genius situation.
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