Thank you - for all the inspiration

Considering I haven't updated the blog recently, I thought of cross-posting the following from a Facebook status update.

Almost three decades ago, my dad, who's a semi-professional mridangam player, gave me some lessons in mridangam, hoping that I would take it up as an instrument. I wasn't particularly interested in mridangam or Carnatic classical then and did not persist with it. Instead, I started tinkering with the Indian flute (inspired partly by my uncle, who wasa professional flautist) because I was more interested in popular music

Two decades ago, I picked up the guitar after being coaxed into it by my sister Vidhya Venkitachalam. Around then, I started jamming with my friend Sumit Pillai on drums, also picking up basic drumming concepts. After a couple of years with the guitar, I bought myself my first bass, starting my journey as a bass player. I have weilded the bass in most gigs since then, but I also have had some opportunities to perform at gigs on the guitar, shakers, and drums.

In the last few months, however, I have had the opportunity of re-exploring my "percussive" side, with several full-length gigs as a cajon/percussion player. I can't believe the kind of fun I have had doing that. Ironically enough, my cajon technique is rather similar to what my dad taught me for my mridangam (especially right hand), and I'm able to generate a rather unique snare sound with this technique. Talk about completing a circle!

At this time, I would like to thank the following people for inspiring/encouraging/helping/supporting me in various stages of my journey as a musician, especially in the context of cajon/percussion playing.

Thank you! <3

• Aarifah Eve Rebello (for letting me "shake" at random gigs)
• Abhishek Dasgupta (for pushing me at improving myself as a musician)
• Anurag Mishra (for encouraging me at gigs)
• Jairaj Joshi (for introducing me to the cajon)
• Pritesh Prabhune (for inspiring me and helping me with concepts and tech)
• Reinhardt Dias (for inspiring me)
• Rohit Chabria (for gig opportunities and letting me use your cajon)
• Roma Kunde (for constantly supporting and encouraging me)
• Shaival Chatwani (for encouraging me)
• Sharanya Natrajan (for gig opportunities and supporting and encouraging me)
• Sumit Pillai (for all the years of jamming)
• Teemeer Chimulkar (for gig opportunities, trusting in me, and supporting/encouraging me)
• Varun Sood (for inspiring me, teaching me, and helping me bounce off ideas)
• Vidhya Venkitachalam (for pushing me to take up guitar)
• Vigneshkumar Venkatraman (for such an incredibly positive attitude and inspiring me)
• Vijayalakshmy Venkitachalam (for marrying my Dad?)
• Vishal Mallu (for inspiring me and lending the cajon)

Depeche Mode – Walking in My Shoes

Few artists have inspired me more in recent times than Depeche Mode. I’m going to plug in a few songs of theirs as and when I am inspired to do so. Today, I’m going to present to you the brilliant ‘Walking In My Shoes.’

I would tell you about the things
They put me through.
The pain I've been subjected to.
But the Lord himself would blush.
The countless feasts laid at my feet,
Forbidden fruits for me to eat.
But I think your pulse would start to rush.

Now I'm not looking for absolution,
Forgiveness for the things I do.
But before you come to any conclusions -
Try walking in my shoes,
Try walking in my shoes.

You'll stumble in my footsteps,
Keep the same appointments I kept.
If you try walking in my shoes.
If you try walking in my shoes.

Morality would frown upon,
Decency look down upon.
The scapegoat fate's made of me.
But I promise now, my judge and jurors,
My intentions couldn't have been purer.
My case is easy to see.

I'm not looking for a clearer conscience,
Peace of mind after what I've been through.
And before we talk of any repentance -
Try walking in my shoes.
Try walking in my shoes.

You'll stumble in my footsteps,
Keep the same appointments I kept.
If you try walking in my shoes.
If you try walking in my shoes.
Try walking in my shoes.

Now I'm not looking for absolution,
Forgiveness for the things I do.
But before you come to any conclusions -
Try walking in my shoes.
Try walking in my shoes.

You'll stumble in my footsteps,
Keep the same appointments I kept.
If you try walking in my shoes.
Try walking in my shoes.
If you try walking in my shoes.
Try walking in my shoes.

I believe this song has a religious background and although I don’t really endorse that, it’s virtually exactly what I want to say to the people who insist that I have wronged in my life path. So before you make any judgments, try walking in my shoes. I’ll smile when you stumble.

Sources of inspiration

If you thought that I'm going to write a long philosophical post about the various sources that you can get inspired by, I'm sorry. I'm very frustrated to write such a piece. This, despite being inspired by a very curious source which would not be revealed until after you guys have tried guessing it.

To demystify - After getting motivated by the HRC gig and the disussion about 'cover' songs versus original songs, I had a sudden rush of blood to the head yesterday evening. I wanted to write a song for 'Shoonyas'. Something rather dark, which would fit into being a metal/rock song. I wrote a poem in about an hour. The title of the song is from one of our fellow blogger's blog. She was also part of my inspirations but she is not the subject of the poem.

I want you guys to go through the poem and comment about what you thought of it and what you think is my inspiration. If you want clues, you can check out my recent marvelous posts and I'm sure there are hints scattered everywhere. The three people who I have already cross-checked the poem with were practically clueless until I explained it to them.

Okay, okay! But why should I be frustrated? Because I have not been able to write a melody for it yet. I have many ideas, but none seem to fit in with the mood. I'm still trying and I'm hoping to make a breakthrough fairly soon. Until then, you guys can try your luck!

'Freezing Flames'

As I look into her eyes, I see
The blaze that was bequeathed
The power that emanates, I feel
It is hard to even breathe

I reach forward, it feels so near
Is she the same, the one I loved?
I believe I can belie my fear
But In a moment of fury, she rises

She rises tall over all else
The savior of all that exists
Inside me, I feel so decrepit
Yet I feel so much at ease as

The darkness rages on engulfing even the brightest of stars
The flames of deceit, freeze even the warmest of hearts (but)

The beauty which lies within
Oh it is so transcendent
The fire that rages on within
Enlightens even the most decadent

I dig deep inside, and I ponder
Could it have been any different, or
Is it me? I think, as I floundered (staggered)
I can hardly see through the smoke

Are you holding back, father?
I remember, the lead was too thin
I'm sure, couldn't have reached any farther
I can't, even I don't know why and when

She rises tall over all else
The savior of all that exists
Allow me, I feel so decrepit
I feel I can help you to peace as

The darkness rages on engulfing even the brightest of stars
The flames of deceit, freeze even the warmest of hearts (but)

The beauty which lies within
Oh it is so transcendent
The fire that rages on within
Enlightens even the most decadent

Brandon Boyd

If you were to ask me one present super-hero in the realm of the music business who I would like to be if it was possible, it would be Brandon Boyd - the singer in the band Incubus. He's handsome, talented, sexy, creative, charismatic, artistic etc.

He sings, writes songs, draws sketches, paints and writes. What more could you ask for? Here are some excerpts from that website which I thought were interesting.

I live in an old building that at one point in the 1900's was a working brothel. As a result, the ghosts of under paid and over worked prostitutes roam my hallways.

I have always had a hard time in describing my creative style. I find the same dilemma when asked what type of music I play. But if I had to, I would say that I am doing my best to turn my mind inside out and see what it looks like framed. ;)

I think that to live a life of expressivity is paramount. To me it is the embodiment of freedom.

If you feel like reading this, please go to this website and check him out. And by the way, he's very cute and straight (as he claims in the about section of this website)!

And here's a video of a song by his band Incubus called 'Drive'. It sort of gives away Brandon's influences and is reminiscent of the lithograph 'Drawing Hands' by M. C. Escher.


Incubus - Drive - Click here for funny video clips