Kathmandu calling

A popular Nepali band is going to make the city dance to a different tune this weekend. Jump in

Many popular Hindi numbers, if you didn't know, are copied from Nepali originals. Now, the real composers are coming for you. Abhaya and the Steam Injuns, the band everyone in Nepal vouches for, come alive in the capital this weekend.u00a0



To hell with genres
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Some play only rock, a few just electronica and others only blues, but this band has everything lined up for the two performances that they're here for. "All we know is that we have to perform. The rest will be decided when we get to feel the pulse of the audience. We are not a genre-specific band because we hate being stereotyped. Some call our compositions rock, others electronica, but when we sit to make music, we have absolutely nothing in mind. All we intend to do is create music that entertains. For us, there're only two genres -- good music and bad music", says Abhaya, founder and lead member of the Kathmandu-based ensemble. But yes, if you can understand Nepali, you would enjoy the tracks of their latest chartbuster album Nayan. "Though we'll primarily focus on self-composed English music, people who can understand Nepali wouldn't be disappointed either", Abhaya assures. But will the show be paisa vasool for Bollywood crazy Delhiites? "My Hindi is bad. But not that I can't sing if I'm asked to. Unfortunately, though, none of our creations are in Hindi, so we'll have to pick some from the pop albums here. I like Biddu so probably a track of his will be part of the play", she adds.u00a0
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Peace in their pocket

Only a victim can understand another victim's sufferings. And this holds true for India and Nepal, which have together been bitten hard by the Maoist bug. The four-member band not only wants to build peace bridges, but also plead people to kill their racist streak. "Everyone wants peace, not only of the mind, but also of one's surroundings," explains Abhaya, who once sang for Delhi-based band Parikrama. The effects are evident beyond the border, too. "Look at the music industry in Nepal, which has been badly hit by the uprising. There're no gigs where we can play, and the lounge or clubs that ask us to perform are facing such a financial crunch that they can't afford to pay even the most minimal charges. After all, we need money for infrastructure. That's why every band in Nepal is expanding their wings abroad, and so are we."

Delhi's waiting with open arms, aren't we?