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The night 3.4 rocked
3.4 is the IIML band. Legend goes that the concept of a band was thought upon by two guys who were walking to IIML from the Sitapur Road. By the time they reached the campus, the concept was ready. In memory of that road on which they thought up the band, it was named 3.4, the distance that it takes from campus to the Sitapur Road.
Ive seen them perform over the past two years, on different occasions. They usually organize a show on Manfest, and also once a term, when they feel like it.
The early few shows used to be held in Samanjasya, the indoor auditorium, but after a while, the outdoor show bug bit them, and most of their shows were held in an outdoor auditorium.
An immensely talented bunch of individuals, it has always been fun to sit through these shows, for the sheer stage presence of many people in the band, coupled with the talent of some others.
3.4 scheduled a show tonight, one night before convocation.
When we walked in with our parents, we expected a show that was a lot like their others, a mishmash of bollywood numbers, own compositions, and some drama on stage.
As they began with a few sedate numbers, I sat back on my chair, knowing that it was going to be just another 3.4 show, an enjoyable experience, but nothing to write home about.
When Harish walked in to sing "Aadat" by "Jal", I had no idea what I would be witnessing. Absolutely perfect rendition, complete with the lyrics and modulations that make a fantastic song, Harish blew me over.
Soon, the show was taking a pace never witnessed before, with a buoyant audience on the verge of leaving IIML, two comperes who kept the crowd dancing to their tunes. One brilliant song followed another, with Manasi, Ramki, Harish and of course, the keyboard by Anand Bhan leading the way.
The crowd on its feet, and asking for more, 3.4 settled into one of its own compositions, the "Liril song". Now this is a number which combines "Dil ko.." from "Rehna hai tere dil mein", with the liril advertisement. A stroke of genius by our senior batch, it has been finding its way to most of our shows till then. However, it was never the same again, because a senior, Krishna, used to render it in his own special way. He was a classical singer by training, and used to use his high pitch and modulations to give life to this song.
As Harish and Arnab began singing the Liril song, I realised just why this 3.4 show was going to be a very different experience. They gave it all they had, with a wonderful rapport between them, and Anand Bhan hitting the keyboard with his usual panache.
As the "Liril Song" reached a cresendo, I was transported to a time when Krishna was singing this song, and I was just into IIML. I was standing in the last row, booing and cheering quite randomly to the beats of the songs.
I was younger, and had two years ahead of me at IIML. Studies were a priority, high paying jobs were the in-thing, and MANAC (Management accounting) was the mantra of the day. I had just got in, from South India, into one of the premier management institutes in the world. Stars in my eyes, hope hitting the skies, full of belief and commitment. I was so different. I thought I knew so much, I thought I could have the world, and I did not know what failure meant.
IIML had changed me so fundamentally, so drastically, that I could no longer identify with the guy who had walked into these hallowed portals.
The song got over. Harish walked off the stage. It was not Krishna anymore. It was a new generation. It was time for the old to move over. One more day, and I would no longer belong here.
3.4 is the IIML band. Legend goes that the concept of a band was thought upon by two guys who were walking to IIML from the Sitapur Road. By the time they reached the campus, the concept was ready. In memory of that road on which they thought up the band, it was named 3.4, the distance that it takes from campus to the Sitapur Road.
Ive seen them perform over the past two years, on different occasions. They usually organize a show on Manfest, and also once a term, when they feel like it.
The early few shows used to be held in Samanjasya, the indoor auditorium, but after a while, the outdoor show bug bit them, and most of their shows were held in an outdoor auditorium.
An immensely talented bunch of individuals, it has always been fun to sit through these shows, for the sheer stage presence of many people in the band, coupled with the talent of some others.
3.4 scheduled a show tonight, one night before convocation.
When we walked in with our parents, we expected a show that was a lot like their others, a mishmash of bollywood numbers, own compositions, and some drama on stage.
As they began with a few sedate numbers, I sat back on my chair, knowing that it was going to be just another 3.4 show, an enjoyable experience, but nothing to write home about.
When Harish walked in to sing "Aadat" by "Jal", I had no idea what I would be witnessing. Absolutely perfect rendition, complete with the lyrics and modulations that make a fantastic song, Harish blew me over.
Soon, the show was taking a pace never witnessed before, with a buoyant audience on the verge of leaving IIML, two comperes who kept the crowd dancing to their tunes. One brilliant song followed another, with Manasi, Ramki, Harish and of course, the keyboard by Anand Bhan leading the way.
The crowd on its feet, and asking for more, 3.4 settled into one of its own compositions, the "Liril song". Now this is a number which combines "Dil ko.." from "Rehna hai tere dil mein", with the liril advertisement. A stroke of genius by our senior batch, it has been finding its way to most of our shows till then. However, it was never the same again, because a senior, Krishna, used to render it in his own special way. He was a classical singer by training, and used to use his high pitch and modulations to give life to this song.
As Harish and Arnab began singing the Liril song, I realised just why this 3.4 show was going to be a very different experience. They gave it all they had, with a wonderful rapport between them, and Anand Bhan hitting the keyboard with his usual panache.
As the "Liril Song" reached a cresendo, I was transported to a time when Krishna was singing this song, and I was just into IIML. I was standing in the last row, booing and cheering quite randomly to the beats of the songs.
I was younger, and had two years ahead of me at IIML. Studies were a priority, high paying jobs were the in-thing, and MANAC (Management accounting) was the mantra of the day. I had just got in, from South India, into one of the premier management institutes in the world. Stars in my eyes, hope hitting the skies, full of belief and commitment. I was so different. I thought I knew so much, I thought I could have the world, and I did not know what failure meant.
IIML had changed me so fundamentally, so drastically, that I could no longer identify with the guy who had walked into these hallowed portals.
The song got over. Harish walked off the stage. It was not Krishna anymore. It was a new generation. It was time for the old to move over. One more day, and I would no longer belong here.
posted at 11:27 AM
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