Masters of Music

The musician,scheduled to perform at the Rockstar concert on November 1 at Andheri’s Bhavan’s College,has been in Mumbai for a week to practice for the show. On the third day of the rehearsals at Juhu’s Ajivasan Hall,the team assembles by three in the afternoon,setting up equipment and prepping to groove.

Almost lost amidst the technical team and organisers,are some of the most prominent names of the Indian music industry — Mohit Chauhan (leading vocals),Sivamani (percussion) and Ranjit Barot (drums). Ranbir Kapoor,the face of Rockstar,in contrast,is seated on the carpeted floor,tuning a guitar with the help of a member of the support team. Renowned sound engineer KJ Singh is busy at the music console. A team of dholis sporadically beat their drums,in an attempt to get their timing right. The director Imtiaz Ali,with little part to play,has chosen to take the day off,we are informed.

Shortly afterwards,Rahman arrives and the mechanical din is replaced by a welcoming cheer. Cups of tea are floated around the room as the musicians indulge in friendly banter. But the fun is short-lived. Having finished his cuppa,Rahman rises to his feet and soon everyone knows who is the boss. He takes to the keyboard and quickly checking the equipment,orders “the crowd” out of the room. People do move out but not very far from the exit,from where they can hear the music when it plays and peep in for a few glances.

However,taking Rahman’s cue,the team quickly takes position. They start with rehearsing Tum Ho. Chauhan attempts two variations,both of which are well-received. Satisfied with the vocalist’s rendition,Rahman directs the team to quickly move on to the next track. “Let’s get this wrapped up in the next two to three hours,” he commands.

Given the scenario and the music being made in the room,the hall itself appears like a parody. Deep red curtains deck both ends of the hall and a sequined,golden drape,the stage backdrop,resembles a wedding venue. However,none of this concerns the people at work.

After fine-tuning the equipment further,the team begins to rehearse The Dichotomy of Fame,an instrumental track. Looking at Kapoor — who is closely watching the team at work but himself sits quietly on the stage,soaking in the music — the song seems ironically apt.

By the time the musicians begin to play Nadaan Parinde,Rahman has pulled up a chair opposite the stage. With a sheaf of papers that have lyrics written on them in his hand,he begins to croon alongside. “I need to memorise the lyrics too,” he laughs. Faltering sometimes,but with the help of Chauhan and Javed Ali and female lead singer Harshdeep Kaur,he quickly gets into the groove. Soon,the mood lightens up and Kapoor also starts strumming his guitar.

The dholis,earlier seated in one corner,wearing a look of intimidation watching the maestros at work,are now beckoned. Barot laughs and lets them take the centre stage for Katiyan Karun. The beats and rhythm,supplemented by Sivamani on percussion,up the adrenaline by many notches. The nervousness gives way and the dholis break into a grin as the song ends on a high with the masters of music applauding their effort.

Marking an end to the rehearsals,aptly,is Sadda Haq,the biggest hit from the released Rockstar album. The wait proves worthwhile for Kapoor as he finally puts the guitar strap around his neck and stands at the centre of the stage. Almost impeccably,the young actor strums the guitar strings in tune to the song. “He has been practising it for a year now,ever since he started work on Rockstar,” someone whispers. The hard work shows. When the instrumentals and backing vocals join in,the room takes on a different hue and the passion throbbing across the room is palpable. The perfect performer,Kapoor matches the talent of the musicians with his stage presence,turning into a showstopper for the finale,commanding a standing ovation for the team.