Experience music that cuts through the turbulent northeast at this screening of a musical travelogue
For most of us, picking up our first guitar is as simple as walking into the nearest store that stocks instruments. But when your neighbourhood has been tainted with sounds of gunshots and violence for over half a century, can music be an easy choice? National Award-winning filmmaker Bidyut Kotoky takes us to the northeast, where music is helping people carve out a distinct identity, via a screening of his musical travelogue, Guns and Guitars.
Bidyut Kotoky with Lou Majaw
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"The level of ignorance among people about the northeastern states is bizarre. Someone once joked that we have to jump over trees from Kolkata to get to Assam," laughs Kotoky, who travelled through the region for five years to make the film. When asked about the inspiration behind the project, he credits his friend Lou Majaw, an artist from Shillong known for his Bob Dylan tribute shows across India. "For one show, he decided to have one band from each of the northeastern states performing, and that’s how it all started," the filmmaker says.
"We were blown away by some of the stories. In Manipur, a death metal band told us they had to stand in queues for 12 hours during army blockades to get diesel for their generator for jam sessions since there are 18-hour-long electricity cuts every day. Another band told us if they sang in Hindi, they would be shot," recounts Bidyut, who hails from Assam.
Lou Majaw jamming with musicians from the northeast
The screening will be followed by a discussion with Kotoky. He also intends to shed light on some major events in the region with a lyrical twist.
On November 18, 7 pm
At Dollally Taproom, Khar West.
Call 9892110655 entry Rs 300
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