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News |  18 Apr 2016 19:44 |  By RnMTeam

How a tenacious producer turned Parvaaz's journey into a concert-documentary

MUMBAI: The last 12 months had provided a few 'firsts' for the Bengaluru-based band 'Parvaaz'. Last month, the band released a roughly-90-minute-long video on YouTube titled 'Transitions', soon to be released on DVDs. The purpose behind 'Transitions' was simple – to showcase the evolution of the quartet since its restructuring. However, the story behind the execution of the same may not sound as uncomplicated. The first of its kind concert-documentary resulted into the band's first international gig. And upon return, the band was welcomed with a lot of mails and phone-calls, another 'first' for the outfit that turned six recently.

As part of the album launch tour, Parvaaz had one of its usual impressive performances at Bengaluru's CounterCulture in 2014. With the recently-launched album 'Baran' compositions, Parvaaz ended the night with applause, satisfaction and an unusual request from a new follower. Gokul Chakravarthy, initiated the idea of presenting the music of Parvaaz in a different medium. While the members of the band were initially lukewarm about the concept, they did not brush it off either. Charavarthy did not give up, and another visit to Parvaaz's gig  (at Hard Rock Cafe) eventually led to the the beginning of the highly ambitious 'Transitions'. “Since I started listening to Parvaaz, I found a lot of contradictions. Its music had easy access, but not many had heard it. The sound was Indian, and yet, somehow universal. The music could be compared to some of the classic rock albums, and yet, very refreshing. Parvaaz's music is very spiritual, and I was quite moved with the music the first time I heard it,” explains Chakravarthy,  former video producer at ESPNcricinfo. Expounding what was required for the execution of 'Transitions' turned out to be easier once all the members were on board. “I just wanted to make a documentary,” added Chakravarthy.

The intent of presenting Parvaaz in a medium that could not be ignored drove Chakravarthy into the staging of 'Transitions'. Jagriti Theatre, located three hours from civilisation, proved to be a tricky venue initially, but with expertise and sheer commitment to finish what was started, Chakravarthy finally managed to provide an ideal platform for the band to describe its evolution – through its own music. 'Transitions' is a combination of sophisticated narration that could be easily misunderstood as a pastiche and an endless dream-like Rock n Roll fairytale, through two separate projections which alternate in an interweave of subtlety and zeal.

The lights provided a surreal element to the experience

The lights provided a surreal element to the experience

'Transitions' starts with the band's composition from the debut EP Behosh, titled 'Itne Arsey Ke Baad', and the groovy Bluesy introduction to the video extends to the following track 'Dil Khush', from the same EP. With seven cameras, an experienced crew and an anxious producer on the editor's desk, the concert documentary moves to carefully chosen compositions from the last album 'Baran'. Lyrically, Parvaaz continued to offer the elegance in matters of love, freedom, nature and beauty. "Our lyrics usually talk about things that have affected us," said Khalid, the voice of 'Parvaaz'. Khalid agrees the band was nervous, and the decision to include audience, albeit effective eventually, caused some concerns from the technical aspects. "The initial plan to set cameras at the audience end of the stage could not be implemented because of the lack of space. So, we set three cameras in the audience section, one wide-angled camera, and another one that captured the band from the top. The trickier part was to communicate with the cameramen while the band was playing. I had heard Parvaaz quite a few teams before, so I knew what was required. And that is where the in-ear walky-talky came to the rescue. Even the boys on the stage wore it," informed Chakravarthy.

"Do not move out of the light" was the call, but Khalid is a little rebel

"Do not move out of the light" was the call, but Khalid is a little rebel

Going out of the comfort zone became the theme for Chakravarthy's Transitions, and that is exactly what he achieved. The entire concept and the set-up was new for everyone involved, and the venue was no different. With the first of its kind rock gig at Jagriti Theatre, the most essential element – sound – fell under the responsibilities of two noted sound engineers from the scene – Rahul Samuel and Rahul Ranganath. For a band that constantly gets compared to Pink Floyd, designing a Pompeii-esque concept could only help the parallels grow,  but Khalid remains indifferent to the comparisons. "Pink Floyd is my personal sound escape. The comparisons do not bother me. In fact, Gokul wanted 'Transitions' to be audience-less, but we decided to invite people, because then the energy remains genuine. It could invite errors and imperfections, but it'd still be genuine and true," justifies Khalid, deeply influenced with Kashmiri poet Mehjhoor's works. Be it 'Ziyankar' minus the saxophone, or the reworked rendition of 'Ab Ki Yeh Subah' featuring Swarathma's violinist Sanjeev Nayak, Parvaaz ensured new sound was offered throughout the ninety-odd minutes. Rauf Abdul (Ministry of Blues) and Alexis' contribution extended to the unreleased single 'Shaad'.

The Kashmiri carpets represent 'sticking to your roots'

The Kashmiri carpets represent 'sticking to your roots'

Standing on Kashmiri carpets, the musicians pulled off an almost-impeccable 90-minutes of Parvaaz's journey so far. "The carpets represented Kashmir – the roots of Khalid and Kashif. What the idea conveys is how Parvaaz's music remains extremely grounded and rooted, hence the kashmiri carpets," said Chakravarthy. 'Transitions' allowed the director-producer to express his understanding of Parvaaz, and Chakravarthy will release another documentary titled 'Long Song – Music & Times of Parvaaz'. "The documentary, unlike Transitions, will focus on a particular period of the band. Nothing of its kind had been made before. Through 'Long Song' (named after Parvaaz's single), not only would I describe Parvaaz's journey through various phases, but I'll also attempt to tap into the alternative music scene," educates Chakravarthy. On what bothers him about the current live scene, Chakravarthy points out the common aspects - "There's a visible jadedness in the music scene. Although fans turn out for the bands' live shows, but there's an absence of deep-rooted connection between them and the music. It feels like they have brought their living rooms to the pub. On the next day, there's absolutely no recall. With 'Transitions', I hope to invoke that emotions. With the DVD release of the concert-documentary, I hope to reach out to the demography that cannot, otherwise, attend music festivals or pub gigs."

The unified way of playing has not changed for the four members, however Chakravarthy observes the obvious changes that come with fame and responsibility. "Parvaaz is, now, more conscious of becoming stagnant. Being in the 'indie' scene makes you grow quickly, however, they have much more to lose now. They're getting more confident towards their respective contribution and sub-consciously that could be collectively seen in the music," said Chakravarthy.  

So what's next for Parvaaz and Chakravarthy? 'Transitions' will release on DVDs on 1 May with behind-the-scenes footage and the concert-docu in the audio format, and the producer hopes to complete the editing for the 'Long Song' documentary before July. "Once I am done with the editing, I will knock the doors of usual suspects for the release. I also plan to organise an international crowd-sourcing for the project."

If 'Transitions' could be used as a parameter for what to expect, the 'Long Song' documentary should easily achieve the primary motive of exploring and understanding Parvaaz, beyond its music and sound.

Check out 'Transitions' here -

 

 

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