Date: May 2 June, 2008 News paper: Bombay Times

We’d rather play our own songs in Hindi’

Hindi rock band from Mumbai, Prayag, tell BT that they aren’t just another rock band that plays ‘Hotel California’ ad infinitum...

Prayag are not your average disillusioned and cynical rock band that wants to hack down every bit of the scene with their scathing remarks because they haven’t got their welldeserved due yet. Even though there have been setbacks galore and rejections too, this fiercely talented and soulful Hindi rock band from Mumbai is not bogged down by it all. “We are fighting the battle; one listener at a time. Every day, we receive feedback from people who have been moved or rocked by our music. Every show we play gets us more fans. That’s how we survive,” says lead vocalist Pranab Gohain. Maybe they are being modest because they are known to drive crowds crazy at their live gigs. On a lighter note, though, they add that they feel like giving up twice every day. There is something revolutionary and insightful about Prayag. Maybe it has to do with the fact that the band was formed on the Independence Day of 2002 and that they are a spiritual and sensual band that doesn’t believe in hatred. Whatever may the reason be, it comes across from their conversation, which is honest yet not hateful. To go back a bit, Pranab and Swapnil (the bassist) formed Prayag after meeting through an online ad placed by the former to form a band. After being around for a bit, the band faced the usual tailback called band members quitting and record companies not giving two hoots for their original material. Then along came drumming prodigy of Mumbai Viru and Kolkata boy Sumit on the axe and Naaveen on rhythm guitars and percussions. Now this prayag (confluence) of different musical influences is rock solid. As Pranab says about the journey so far, “Well, it has been like music, really — with ups and downs, highs and lows, crescendos and lulls. We’ve played shows, recorded an album and faced rejection as well as love and appreciation.” The band has been gigging at all kinds of places, “including Chandrapur, which has been in the news for a maneating tiger loose from the Tadoba Andhari National Park. And it was rocking — the show, I mean!” reveals Naveen, adding, “We have been running pillar to post trying to get our album released and we have been writing new songs.” Talking of their album, recently on their online community they said that if they don’t find a record label soon, they may release the songs on the internet for free download. “Yes, we might. Our eight-song album Chapter One is ready. But we don’t want to release the album without it being promoted well. As we all know, only sex and Bollywood sell. And today, if you have enough money to make a titillating video, you will get a label. But we want people to listen, not ogle at skin. We want people to rock to Prayag, not look at an ‘item’ shaking it up,” says Pranab. There is this thought process… rock is still a niche thing. And a Hindi band might have to suffer high brow attitude from the mainstream English freaks. Double jeopardy? Sumit says, “It’s easy and difficult rocking in Hindi. The ‘rockers’ feel it’s low-brow, the Bollywood addicts feel it’s high brow. But we have managed to floor both audiences…” And here’s hoping that it continues!

DHAVAL ROY