Exploring India’s Earliest Festivals and Major Concerts
In Sidharth Bhatia’s book entitled “India Psychedelic: The Story of a Rocking Generation,” he narrates how India fought against various obstacles in the 1960s to establish a rock music culture. He vividly describes the conditions during the Simla Beat Contest in Mumbai, where young Indians gathered despite the scarcity of electric guitars and amplifiers. The musicians improvised with valve radios and public meeting PA systems to make music. Local guitars like ‘Givson’ from Calcutta were subpar compared to the real deal, and basic drum sets were made in local workshops.
Inspired by the renowned Woodstock festival of 1969 in the U.S., Sneha Yatra music festival was organized near Mumbai in 1971, featuring a groovy aesthetic reminiscent of the Flower Power era. The emergence of Jazz Yatra in 1978 set the stage for festivals like Jazz Utsav, supported by Air India, the American consulate, and embassy. Jazz legends such as Sonny Rollins, Wayne Krantz, Larry Carlton, and Stan Getz performed in India during these events.
Sunil Sampat, a Rolling Stone India Contributing Editor and Jazz Yatra team member, fondly recalls the vibrant atmosphere at Rang Bhavan during Jazz Yatra, where families would gather like a picnic, savoring drinks, samosas, and pakodas while enjoying the jazz music. Accessible musicians fostered a unique connection between artists and the audience, breaking down barriers and allowing for a more intimate concert experience.
Independence Rock, founded by Farhad Wadia in 1985 at Rang Bhavan, became the quintessential platform for Indian rock music. It provided a vital stage for bands like Pentagram, Agnee, and Parikrama to showcase their talents, shaping the early concert experiences of Indian music lovers. Over the years, the festival evolved with sponsorships and venue changes, accommodating activities like sponsor stalls.
Devraj Sanyal of the metal band Brahma reminisces about his exhilarating performances at I-Rock and other concerts across the country, sharing his fondest memories of sharing the stage with legendary international musicians. Despite less optimal playing conditions, Indian bands had the time of their lives thrilling audiences with their thunderous performances.
Nikhil Chinapa and his Submerge team were pivotal in fostering the underground electronic music movement, which gained significant momentum in the early 2000s. This paved the way for corporatization in music festivals, with companies like Percept launching Sunburn in 2007, offering a home for electronic music enthusiasts nationwide. The Great Indian Rock festival and beach raves in Goa further diversified the music scene, reflecting the evolving tastes and trends within India’s concert landscape.