Sing Out Loud

If you’re not in sync with karaoke,have no fear. A form of entertainment in which amateur vocalists sing along with recorded music using a microphone and a public address system,karaoke originated in Japan and rapidly spread to south-east Asia. Though it has taken it’s time to hit Indian shores,budding singers in Delhi can let loose at Bennigan’s Tavern and Grill in GK II,Chilli Season in Defence Colony Market,Gung the Palace in Green Park Market,K2 and Kyoto in Gurgaon.

The man credited with bringing karaoke to the city is Aftab Sidhu,who started Aquifer,Delhi’s first karaoke lounge,in January 2007. “We targeted the young entrepreneurial crowd because it’s a form of entertainment that does not work for a high-profile client list,” says Sidhu,who enjoyed many a night watching people live it up after hours at Aquifer before tenancy issues forced it to shut last October.

But Delhi had clearly got hooked to a good thing and karaoke was here to stay. “My friends and I went to Bennigan’s one Wednesday night and had a terrific time. I don’t usually sing,but I felt really free at the time and the crowd was very encouraging,” says Pallavi Gaur,23,a media professional. Bennigan’s,the Irish Tavern and Grill,started their Karaoke Nights last October,says Ashish Maharjan,Manager,Bennigan’s. “The Irish are always associated with a good drink and music and although karaoke is primarily a Japanese-Korean concept,we tried it out at the GK II outlet and it’s become very popular with our patrons,” says Maharjan.

Bennigan’s sticks to rock and retro hits and on Wednesday nights,be prepared to holler out Gloria Gaynor’s I will survive with at least 50 people. But,if you have a competitive spirit,head to Chilli Season in Defence Colony market where you’re most likely to find proprietor Ashish Taneja participating with diners,competing for the highest karaoke score. “We have a machine that rates you on your performance and there are on-the-spot karaoke competitions,” says Taneja,who figured that the concept would go down very well with the pan-Asian fare the restaurant offers. It has and every Wednesday,Chilli Season has a loyal client list coming in for the food and karaoke.

But,the new karaoke hotspot may just be Gurgaon,where K2 (for Korean and Karaoke) and Kyoto boast independent karaoke boxes on their premises. A karaoke box is a small or medium-sized room containing karaoke equipment rented out by the hour or half-hour,so as to provide a more intimate atmosphere. “The number of Korean and Japanese expats in the NCR has soared in the last two-three years and karaoke is part of the authentic dining out experience for them,” says Vibhana Chadha,Kyoto,who has pulled out all stops in designing their Karaoke boxes,one for a small party of five and a larger one for 12 people. Done up in aqua,the rooms are soundproofed and are replete with little stools and a flatscreen TV hooked up to a Karaoke machine. Kyoto opens later this week and,with dim lights around the edges of the room,this is sure to be a cosy spot to sip a beer,eat sushi and try out your singing talents. Or,like Kimberly Wallace,discover the lack of them.

Contact: Chilli Season (Wednesday): 24618358,24643362

Kyoto: 0124-2221645