BackThe eclecticism of ‘Music Mojo’
'Music Mojo' features some refreshing music by delightful artistes who should be heard and seen more often in the mainstream
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It might lack the nationwide hype and hoopla surrounding the more opulent and aggressively-promoted music shows on television, but a show titled Music Mojo, produced by Kappa TV, a Malayalam entertainment channel from the Mathrubhumi group, features some refreshing music by delightful artistes who should be heard and seen more often in the mainstream. Being a regional channel catering to Malayalam-speaking viewers, I might otherwise have missed the programme but for its presence on YouTube. Among the dozens of episodes of the programme available on Kappa TV’s YouTube channel, there are several that are truly commendable, but there are two sets of voices and musicians that appealed to my ear in particular. Asima, the Kerala-based, all-male choir and percussion ensemble brings five tracks to Music Mojo of which my personal favourites are Blue Throat Shiva and Onnam Kandathil.
The former, composed and arranged by Devissaro, places Sanskrit lyrics in praise of Shiva in a blues-like melody against a swinging five-count groove, and is rendered with involvement, enjoyment and skill by Anil Ram, Anoop S., Anoop Mohandas and Khalid (vocalists), Vineeth George (keyboards), Ben Sam Jones (bass and acoustic guitar) and Tao Issaro (percussion). Shot against a simple backdrop, there is a charming earthiness and real-life quality about the programme, with none of the plasticky artifice and post-production manipulation that is often allowed to get the upper hand in music shows on television. I have absolutely no idea of what the lyrics of Onnam Kandathil convey, but the joyful, robust quality of the music is expressive and communicative enough.
The other track that caught my attention is Haq Allah by Thaikkudam Bridge featuring two young Hindustani vocalists, Krishna Bongane and Madhab Mohapatra. Currently, only a promo of the track is available, but hopefully the promise shown by the promo will be fulfilled as and when the complete track is launched. The two young men have full-throated, tuneful voices that move with the ease and confidence that comes from years of rigorous training and practice. They race each other mellifluously as they sing a prayer to Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, the great Sufi saint of the Chishti silsila or order, at whose shrine in Delhi hereditary qawwals regularly offer music to this day. Lead My Boat Ashore, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya!—“Mori paar karoge naiya,Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya!" urge the two young and energetic voices with passion, intensity and longing. A tentative inquiry about their musical background reveals that they are both disciples of the same ustad, the prodigious Rashid Khan of the Rampur-Sahaswan lineage. That perhaps explains the ease with which they sing together, meshing their voices fluently and without hesitation.
But good singing alone might not have made for a successful show. Excellent arrangements, backing musicians, good sound recording and production values are some of the elements that make Music Mojo a truly meritorious show. Whether or not it will survive the TRP test that holds Indian television to ransom is quite another matter.
Also Read | Shubha’s previous Lounge columns
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