Music In an age of hip hop and trance, a growing bunch of music lovers are being drawn to Gospel music, a genre that has its roots in the Christian faith. With a nation-wide gospel music talent contest scheduled in Mumbai next month, Melissa Dcosta tries figuring when this spiritual music left the confines of the church to enter the mainstream market
"My heart's like a flute and I want to play all day, Jesus Christ is my music master," is a hymn that will probably strike a chord with most Gospel music bands in the city. And while they all admit to playing various genres of spiritual music, they come together on a platform love for God and music.
While trance, electronic and reggae leave night clubs throbbing every Saturday night, this lesser known genre has quietly grown in popularity, finding itself on CD racks in music stores, even big enough to inspire Glory 2008, an all-India Gospel music talent hunt, that kicks off on November 1.
Music labels generated interest
Freddy Kostka, Trustee and director of Joyful Noise, a ministry dedicated to promoting Christian music, and co organiser of Glory 2008 says, "Gospel music has existed for decades, but it gathered popularity in India when music labels like Sitara and GenX in Chennai, and GMFA in Bangalore began marketing international Christian music in Indian metros."
Apart from music labels, Christian and Protestant groups have played an active role in spreading awareness about Christian music by organising youth rallies and prayer meetings, that provide a platform to talented artists and groups. "It's very popular in North East India and down South. But recently it's been gaining momentum in Mumbai," he says. Co-organised by the Archdiocesan Family Commission last year, Glory 2007 received an overwhelming response, calling for a repeat this year.
What's Gospel music?
While most associate Gospel music with the scriptures, Freddy says they look at it as music that includes Praise and Worship songs, Contemporary Christian Music and Easy listening; music that you can play at a party or get together). It includes genres like heavy metal, rock 'n' roll, country, and jazz.
It's music with a purpose. Rupert Fernandes, composer of the catchy Hutch jingle, "You and I", is the brain behind 10-month old Gospel rock band G-sus. "For us, Gospel music is not just good music, but music with a purpose. Apart from inspiring lyrics, and a message of hope, it lures listeners with peppy tunes."
The 13-member band whose name pays tribute to their music and faith (G-Sus is a play on Jesus and the chord G Suspended), plays tracks by popular American contemporary Christian artists like Glad and Don Moen, along with a handful of original compositions.
Gospel over contemporary
Lenny Soares, lead vocalist with Malad based band By Grace, says they came together to pool in talent to reach out to the youth, and spread God's love through a medium that youngsters could identify with, and enjoy. The eight-member band is credited for taking Gospel to various parts of the country including New Delhi, Goa, Chennai, Daman, Kolkata, and abroad, recently having performed at the World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, Australia at the WYD concert. It was attended by the Pope, and thousands of listeners from all over the world.
Open Secret is a three-month old Christian rock and worship band. Macklin Lacerda, acoustic guitarist says, "Music recognises no barriers of language, or religion. I love that I can communicate with people through music. Since, most listeners are familiar with international artists like Delirious, and Michael W Smith, we play their compositions at our concerts."
By Grace Members: 8 Vocals: Lenny Soares, Nievesita D'souza, Gwen Dias, Gail Dias Lead Guitar: Nyzel D'lima Lead/Rhythm Guitars: Jeremias Dsilva Bass Guitar: Ryan Fernandes: Drums: Garner D'lima Pic/ Pradeep Dhivar
G-SUS Members: 13 Producer: Rupert Fernandes: Bass: Suresh Mendonza Keyboard: Nigel Rajaratnam and Ryland D'souza Guitar: Joslyn Branganza and Daniel Rego Vocals: Fiona D'souza, Leon De Souza, Antonella Jiandani, Lionell Misquitta, Melissa Serrao, Shailesh Banta, Thompson Andrews Pic/ SAYED SAMEER ABEDI
This Malad band is into Hindi Gospel If you can have Indi pop, even Indi rock, why not Indi Gospel? Five guys from Malad decided to give adesi spin to Christian music, when they incorporated Hindi lyrics into their songs. Hindi Gospel Rock band Yeshua derives its name from the Hebrew name for Jesus, and has performed all over India including in Mumbai, Goa, Delhi, Bangalore, Trivandrum, even Chhattisgarh. "As a group, we sing primarily in Hindi, but also perform in English, depending on what the crowd wants. The Hindi lyrics include simple, commonly used words so that we can reach out to a larger audience base," says Cameron Mendes. With the realisation that most Gospel rock bands performed in English, Yeshua was able to zero in on their USP. The youth are drawn to their music, thanks to inspirational lyrics and foot-tapping music. The band released their first album titled, Yeshua, back in 2005, and they are currently working on their next album that's set for release in 2009. Audience base has gradually grown Though there is a market for Christian music, it's in a nascent stage, Cameron believes. A look at the crowds at their concerts, reveals that the music appeals to young and old. "Earlier, we used to get 100 people, now, it's 5,000 and over."
Yeshua Members: 5 Drums: Samuel Shetty Bass Guitar: Justin Mendonca Lead guitarist: Anson Miranda Keyboard: Joshua Fernandes Violin: Nihal Joshua Vocals: Cameron Mendes
Does Christian music desi bhaasha mein, make you go, eh? Here's a sample of their lyrics Name of track: Sabse Ooncha Jis naam mein hai bandagi, Yeshu hai woh naam Jis naam mein hai zindagi, Yeshu hai woh naam Yeshu tera naam, sabse ooncha hai
5 point guide to Gospel music 1. Gospel music is music written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life, to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music. It's characterised by dominant vocals (often with strong use of harmony) referencing lyrics of a religious nature, particularly Christian. 2. Subgenres include contemporary Gospel, urban contemporary Gospel (sometimes referred to as Black Gospel), Southern Gospel, and modern Gospel music (now more commonly known as praise and worship music or Contemporary Christian Music). 3. It's believed that around the 1930's, African slaves combined the rhythm and melodies of their work songs, with the protestant hymns they sung in church, to create the earliest form of Gospel Music. It had a strong and powerful message of hope and revival through devotion to God. 4. It was the golden era of soul in the 1960's that brought Gospel in to the mainstream music industry. 5. Several forms of Gospel music utilise choirs, use piano and/or Hammond organ, drums, bass guitar and, increasingly, electric guitar.
Gospel music on screen Sister Act is a 1992 hilarious film starring Hollywood star Whoopi Goldberg as Deloris, a lounge singer who has been put under protective custody in a San Francisco convent and has to pretend to be a nun when a mob boss puts her on his hit list. The sequel looks at how a Las Vegas showgirl manages to come to the rescue of a convent by returning there as a nun to train the choiral students, and ends up helping them win a prestigious choir music contest.
Open Secret Members: 10 Guitar: Macklin Lacerda Vocals: Karen Braganza, Rhea Serrao, Maria Lacerda Bass:Calvin Vaz John Fernandes: Guitar Keyboard: Prashant Patil and Agnelo Aggi Fernandes Drums: Agnelo Shana Picardo Percussion: Sameer Viegas
More on Glory 2008
So far, 190 participants have registered for the contest, all of whom except one (Pune) are from Mumbai. The winners will get a chance to perform at the Festival of Christian Music onJanuary 17 and 18, 2009, at St Pius X College Grounds, Goregaon.
Categories for Glory 2008: Classical Vocals Non-classical vocals Indian vocals Instrumental acoustic Instrumental electronic Vocal Ensemble Instrumental Ensemble
The elimination round of Glory 2008 will be held on October 26, finals on November 1, at St Andrew's Auditorium, Bandra (W). Contest is open to anyone. Passes available at Joyful Noise office at Vakola, Santacruz (E). Call 65001966
"My heart's like a flute and I want to play all day, Jesus Christ is my music master," is a hymn that will probably strike a chord with most Gospel music bands in the city. And while they all admit to playing various genres of spiritual music, they come together on a platform love for God and music. 
By Grace 
Producer: Rupert Fernandes: 