Aawaz - speak up against sexual violence! | an Eastern Fare project

As a tribute to the victim of the Delhi Gang Rape incident, Eastern Fare, in association with few like minded musicians and artists, started the project 'Aawaz - speak up against sexual violence' in Dec, 2012.

Parmita Borah in 'Aawaz - speak up against sexual violence'

India as a nation has placed women on a divine pedestal for ages, but the ground reality is as ghastly as it gets. Violence towards women is an ever-increasing curve in the country and shows no signs of decline. Societal reform is the need of the hour and therefore a handful of youth based out of Bangalore got together for a music project to emphasize and generate awareness about the atrocities that women bear in every walk of life.

Rachel Oommen in 'Aawaz - speak up against sexual violence'

The single ‘Aawaz - speak up against sexual violence’ is composed by musician from Assam Jim Ankan Deka. The lyrics are penned together by Jim and singer Ritwika Bhattacharya. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs (2009) finalist Antara Nandy from Kolkata has rendered her vocals to this cause along with Ritwika and Queen Hazarika (a familiar face in the music scenario of Assam).

Antara Baruah in 'Aawaz - speak up against sexual violence'

The song aims to sensitize people of various social
evils such as sexual violence, child abuse and marital rape. The core idea behind the song is to encourage people to speak up and not hush up matters like this.

The song is recorded at Eastern Fare Studio and Madcat Music Studio in Bangalore and Sargam Audiocraft, Guwahati. The music video is directed and produced by Parmita Borah. This collaborative project involves noted artists from across India and will be released in June, 2013.

Queen Hazarika in 'Aawaz - speak up against sexual violence'

'Aawaz' at a glance

Music composer and Director: Jim Ankan Deka.

Director and Producer (music video): Parmita Borah.

Lyricists: Jim Ankan and Ritwika Bhattacharya.

Singers: Ritwika Bhattacharya, Antara Nandy and Queen Hazarika.

Band Members: Vicky Mahanta, Pankaj Rajkhowa and Pratik Nalawade,

Artists: Antara Barua, Rachel Rose Oommen (child artist) and Parmita Borah.

Animation Artist: Mohd Siraj Mahagavin

Videographers: Shanka Gogoi and Anoop Guha.

Photographers: Pruthvi R Akarsh and Vikramjit Kakati.

Recorded at: Sargam Audiocraft (Guwahati), Madcat Music Studio (Bangalore), Centerstage (Bangalore) and Eastern Fare Music Studio (Bangalore).

Special thanks to: Nalini Prava Deka, Partha Protim Gogoi, Rahul, Jaiji Oommen, Naomi Oommen, Priyangka Mahanta, Vinod Singh, Atlanta Talukdar, Monibha Mitra, Anil CJ, Harish Marappa and Abhijit Burman.

Read more at: Merinews

Team 'Aawaz'

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Tere Bin Nahi Lagda - a tribute to maestro Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

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There aren't enough words to surmise Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's contribution to the world of Sufi music nor his limitless musical genius. There's certainly no way to replicate his six-octave vocal range or his meticulous compositions. "Tere Bin Nahi Ladga", recently covered by Rittwika Bhattacharya and Jim Ankan Deka, is an interesting rendition of the virtuoso's soulful melody.

Ritwika Bhattacharya and Jim Ankan Deka

Rittwika's sufi styled vocals and Jim's incorporation of jazz elements don't simply echo Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's original composition, but paraphases it as contemporary fusion. This is the second song by the musicians together, previously recorded the famous song 'Ganga' by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.

The song was recorded in Eastern Fare Studio in Bangalore (Eastern Fare Music Foundation) and was released online on May 13, 2012.

The music video was released on July 22, 2012 on the internet. The video is directed by Parmita Borah and shot at Eastern Fare studio in Bangalore.

The song is available for streaming on Reverbnation, Youtube and iTunes.

Parmita Borah with Ritwika Bhattacharya

Ritwika Bhattacharya (Eastern Fare studio, Bangalore)

Jim Ankan Deka and Ritwika Bhattacharya (still from the music video)

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Understanding Tabulature

Tablature or Tabulature (popularly known as Tabs) is a system of notation for the guitar and other fretted stringed instruments. Learning to read tab provides simple visual way to play guitar. It graphically represents the strings and frets of the fingerboard and indicates where to play the notes. It is based on six horizontal lines which represents the strings of the guitar. The top line is the 1st string (high E) and the bottom line is the 6th line string (low E).

E------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
G------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On these lines, number means the frets where you should place your fingers. Here is a G major scale in 2 octaves (3 notes per string).

E------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B-----------------------------------------------------5--7--8---------------------------
G------------------------------------------4--5--7--------------------------------------
D-------------------------------4--5--7-------------------------------------------------
A--------------------3--5--7------------------------------------------------------------
E---------3--5--7-----------------------------------------------------------------------

'0' is used for open strings. Chords are notated in vertical straight line with chord symbols above the tab which indicates that the notes should be played at the same time
               C                       F                     G
E----------0-------------------1-----------------3--------------------------------------------
B----------1-------------------1-----------------3-------------------------------------------
G----------0-------------------2-----------------0--------------------------------------------
D----------2-------------------3-----------------0-------------------------------------------
A----------3-------------------3-----------------2--------------------------------------------
E-------------------------------1-----------------3-------------------------------------------

Some frequently used technique symbols :
h - hammer on
p - pull off
b - bend
pb - pre bend
r - release bend
/ - slide up
\ - slide down
~ - vibrato
x - mute note
t - tapping

Tablature existed in various forms through the centuries and was common during the Renaissance and Baroque era. It was invented by lute players of the 15th century. One of the drawbacks of guitar tablature is that there is no rhythmic notation. It cannot convey precise information about timing and duration of the notes. Dynamics are left to the player's artistic sense.

But tablature has evolved with times, note values are indicated with W - whole note, H - half note, Q - quarter note, E - 8th, S - 16th, T - 32nd and X - 64th. Sometimes rhythm are provided with stems on the tab but this often makes the tab difficult to read. 

You can find lots of discussion and debates on tablature and staff notation. But I would like to conclude that whatever are the drawbacks of tablature, it helps us to study and play in easier way and enjoy our favorite songs with ease. Rock on.....  

- Ashok Singha

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Eastern Fare at Rock Hammer contest

Two of the Eastern Fare teachers were invited to participate as judges at the Rock Hammer music contest in Bangalore organised by AOM-Indian National Autocross Championship. The prelim round held on April 18 and finals on April 29, 2012.

The judges were - Jim Ankan Deka and Ashok Singha.

Ashok Singha and Jim Ankan Deka at Rock Hammer prelims.

Ashok Singha and Jim Ankan at Palace Grounds, Bangalore, judging the finals.

Bands performing at the finals of Rock Hammer

Hungry, the band from Bangalore (Winners of Rock Hammer contest)

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North-East-India on Facebook - an Eastern Fare initiative

An initiative of Eastern Fare Music Foundation, the North-East India page on Facebook was founded in July, 2009. It was Jim Ankan Deka and his team’s love for North East that gave forth to the creation of this popular page on Facebook. With regular updates of imperative, fun and frolicky facts about the North Eastern Corner of India, the page also focuses on and puts forward the significant travel destinations and esteemed North Eastern Personalities to a worlwide audience. Join the page by clicking the 'LIKE' button below.

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Eastern Fare Music Foundation - Music of Euphonic Sounds

Author: Niyor Bordoloi

Upon the fabric of silence does one weaves notes and creates music.

Eastern Fare Music Foundation is one such turf which still holds on to such a thought and proudly propagates it. In an era where music is being bargained over as a fast moving commodity, Eastern Fare affectionately tries to preserve the accent of sound. Located in Koramangala, the heart of Bangalore city in India, this music institute with a difference engages in providing tutelage to music enthusiasts of all ages.  It had its inception in the year 2007 with a bitty total of five students. In today\'s date, Eastern Fare has half dozen branches all over Bangalore giving Music education to more than a hundred pupils.

Eastern Fare prepares students for grade exams conducted by Trinity School of Music, London; but it diverts itself from the regular method of teaching. The institute focuses on a concept based learning method where students are made to understand the core concepts of Music before strumming a guitar of holding a key. 'Play the music, not the instrument' is what they preach. Currently classes for Guitar, Keyboard and Western Classical vocals are being conducted on a regular basis, but there are also provisions for instruments like drums, tabla, flute etc.

The idea behind the genesis of this institute was to incorporate the thought that Music can be pursued as a mainstream career instead of a hobby or pastime. Eastern Fare encourages and motivates people with a musical inclination to explore their full potential and be able to create amazing work. All the students are given individual attention and guidance making it easier for them to discover their musical abilities. The students are generally screened based on their basic knowledge of music but most importantly they must have passion and sincerity for learning music. The very best of the students and the ones who have constantly exhibited progress never go unrewarded. The institute\'s has its recording facilities which are made available to the students at zero cost so that they can prepare their samples easily. The institute also promotes aspiring musicians, and artists through various media.

When the melodic notes fade away, it vibrates in the memory. Eastern Fare hopes to influence people on similar notes. Even when the students are over their training and are long gone, the musical sojourn will linger on in their hearts and the amorous poetry of sound that they will sing will ripple, spreading the magic of music further and beyond.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/eastern-fare-music-foundation-music-of-euphonic-sounds-3937144.html

About the Author

A freelance writer and journalist from Bangalore.

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Count Your Blessings: An Eastern Fare initiative

(From Merinews)

Members of Eastern Fare at Anandashram

EASTERN FARE Music Foundation, a premiere music institute in Bangalore, India, added a splendid twist to their Diwali celebrations this year. In continuation with their philanthropic initiative ‘Count Your Blessings’ established earlier this year, the students of the institute visited senior citizens home cum orphanage called ‘Anandashram’ on November 7, 2010.

Anandashram is a society for senior citizens, destitute children and also empowerment of underprivileged women. Situated opposite Jal Bhawan in Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore, the society houses nearly 30 elderly residents and around 20 destitute children and provides training on tailoring and knitting to underprivileged women. The society neither has any government funding nor any major corporate aid. However, the managing ladies Dilshad and Fathima mentioned that they can avail subsidised rates at various hospitals and medical institutes for the treatment of the elderly. In appreciation of their efforts, Eastern Fare Music Foundation made a sizeable donation with generous contributions from its students and members. Few of the members, who visited the ‘Anandashram’ on Sunday were Jim Ankan, Anand PM, Parmita Borah and Ajay Shankar.

The initiative ‘Count Your Blessings’ by Eastern Fare Music Foundation was established earlier this year in recognition of their social responsibilities. Although in its nascent stage, the members have engaged in many noble initiatives. In the month of October, the members of the ‘Eastern Fare Music Club’ donated the entire cash raised from a concert organised at Olio, one of the fine dining pubs in Koramangala, Bangalore.

Eastern Fare Music Foundation is the brainchild of Jim Ankan Deka, a noted musician from Assam. He is a familiar face in the Western/rock music scenario with his band 'Eastern Fare' and his Fusion band 'Veenar' (a blend of Jazz and Carnatic music) with Carnatic vocalist Suchethan Rangaswamy is gaining popularity by the hour. In the recent past he has also developed a flair for the digital media and has created many information databases on the North-eastern states of India on Facebook, blogspot and Twitter.

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CYB - Count Your Blessings

We live in a greedy little world,
That teaches every little boy and girl,
To earn as much as they can possibly
Then turn around and spend it foolishly…

Do these words in Shania Twain really hold true? Have you ever taken a moment from your busy lives and wondered - where does all the rush, all the stress, all the running around lead to? Isn’t there anything more to our lives than Cell Phones, Play Stations and LED TVs? What about the world around us? What about the ones who are less fortunate ones?

Eastern Fare Music Club strongly believes that ‘Happiness’ was born a twin; it is complete only when shared. Our new initiative “Count Your Blessings” (CYB) came into being with this philosophy. We do believe that we have been bestowed with ample health and wealth and sharing our blessings with someone who is in need of it makes it only better. Believe us when we say that there is tremendous happiness when happiness is shared, for, when sorrow is shared with someone, it is only half the sorrow; but when joy is shared, it is double the joy.

Team Eastern Fare at Anandashram

Although in its nascent stage, Eastern Fare Music Club’s “Count Your Blessings” initiative has driven many young adults to visit some Senior Citizens home in Bangalore. In the month of October, members of the Count Your Blessings initiative visited a senior citizens home called “Anandashram” in Bannerghatta Road. The members collected whatever money they could and donated the society with three emergency lights. The residents of the Ashram were, however, much more thrilled and delighted with the company of these youngsters who took their time to spend it with the senior citizens. All they want is to feel loved, that someone cares about them, that they are not alone. The joy in their eyes was simply marvelous and the feeling, simply incredible.

In the coming weeks and months, Eastern fare Music Club plans to visit few more places and help out places like these with cash, kinds or services. A musical event dedicated to these people is also in the planning phase, so if you want to be a star for an evening, feel free to get in touch with us. Remember, it isn’t about when, what and how you donate, the bottom line is, like we mentioned earlier, make them feel cared for. Smile at them and they will smile at you.

-by Parmita Borah

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Eastern Fare's Joyous Weekend

(From MeriNews)

Eastern Fare Music Foundation, a premier music club in Bangalore had an interesting weekend, to say. To begin with, the band Eastern Fare promoted by this foundation delivered a fabulous performance last Friday (October 1), night at one of Bangalore's hot spots, Olio - the Lounge Mix. Accompanied by fine dining and drinks, the band covered some classic rock numbers with their usual panache. Siddharth Tanti, who has now become a familiar face in the rock and roll scene of the city, rendered vocals to songs like Light My Fire by The Doors, Time by Pink Floyd, All Along The Watchtower by Jimmy Hendrix, Proud Mary by CCR, Blowing In The Wind by Bob Dylan, Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd etc. Jim Ankan, founder of Eastern Fare truly rocked the lead guitar with some stupendous solos; while Anand PM on the keys and bass and Suchin and Girish on the rhythm kept the beats going on.

The very next day, on Gandhi Jayanti (October 2), which also happened to be one of the joy of giving days, the members of the foundation, explored their philanthropic side. They visited one of the senior citizens home ‘Anandashram’ in Bannerghatta, and spent time with the residents there. The senior residents in-turn welcomed them with a lot of enthusiasm. Anandashram is a senior citizens home located at Bannerghatta which houses 22 senior residents and many destitute children. The society has been active since 1930s and survives solely on donations in cash and kinds; but, the most important gift that its residents require there is the gift of time and companionship. Eastern Fare would shortly be organising non-profit music events for societies like Anandashram and many others.

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A tribute to Dr. Bhupen Hazarika on his 85th birthday

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika - known for his crisp baritone voice and flawless diction, is a noted music director, playwright, actor, journalist, author, lyricist, politician and film-maker of the highest repute from Assam. He wrote and sang his first song at the age of 10 and worked for the second Assamese film, Indramalati, in 1939, when he was 12 years old. He is considered today the last of the great mass singers and the only great ballad singer alive in India.

Dr. Hazarika was born on 8th Sept, 1926, in Sadiya, Assam. He was born to the family of Neelkantha Hazarika, a teacher. Bhupen Hazarika did his Inter (Arts) in Guwahati in 1942, and went on to Banaras Hindu University to complete his Bachelor of Arts in 1944. After completion of Masters in Political Science in 1946, he left for New York, USA where he lived for five years and received his doctorate (PhD) in Mass Communication from Columbia University. He also received the Lisle Fellowship from Chicago University, USA to study the use of educational project development through cinema. Between 1949 and 1955 in USA, he met musician 'Paul Robeson' with whom he became closely associated. He also met artist 'Picasso' in France. In November 2001, he was honoured with the Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) from the Tezpur University.

Bhupen Hazarika was solely responsible for installing the first state owned film studio in Guwahati, Assam, first studio of its kind in India. He produced, directed, and composed music for Arunachal Pradesh's first Hindi feature film in colour "Mera Dharam Meri Maa" in 1977. Apart from this he has produced, directed, composed music and sang for 32 (thirty two) films in Assamese, Hindi and other languages.

He is one of the leading authors/poets of Assam and has to his credit more than one thousand lyrics and more than fifteen major books on short stories, essays, travelogues, poems and children's rhymes. He has produced and directed many documentaries in various languages. He had also produced a 52 (fifty-two) episodes tele-serial titled "Dawn" for telecast on StarTV. Bhupen Hazarika has scored music and sung for the highest number of Assamese films made in the past 40 years. His remarkable popularity brought him to the legislative Assembly as an Independent member between 1967 to 1972.

He has won the President's National Award for the best film maker thrice - for Shakuntala in 1960, Pratidhwani in 1964, and Loti Ghoti in 1967. He won the Arunachal Pradesh Government's Gold Medal in 1977 for his outstanding contribution towards Tribal Welfare, and Upliftment of Tribal Culture through cinema and music. He also won the National Award as best music composer in India in 1977 for the Assamese film Chameli Memsaab. While he was studying in USA, he was awarded a Gold Medallion in New York as the best interpreter of 'India's folk songs' by 'Eleanor Roosevelt'.

In 1977 Bhupen Hazarika got the Padamshree award. In the same year he also got two awards in West Bengal for the best music director for the film 'Dampati' from The Bangla Chalachitra Prasar Samity and the Bangla Chalchitra Purashkar Samity. In 1978 he won two awards from Bangladesh as rhe best music director for the film 'Simana Periye'. In 1978, the Gramophone Company of India bestowed on him the Gold Disc for his outstanding contribution towards Indian Music. Apart from this he receieved more than 100 awards for his cotribution towards different fields.

In 1987, Sangeet Natak Academy in New Delhi awarded him for his outstanding contribution towards Indian music. In 1999, he has been appointed by the Honourable President of India as the Chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi for a period of five years. In 1987 he won "Assam's Man of the Year" award. Same year the Government of Assam bestowed its highest award the 'Shankar Dev Award' for his contribution to Assam's culture

His biggest achievement in terms of awards would be 'The Dadasaheb Phalke Award', also considered as 'India's Oscar', which he was honoured In 1993 for his lifetime's contribution to development of Indian cinema.

In 2001, he was honoured by the Government of India with the 'Padma Bhushan', one of the highest civilian award, In the same year, he was given the Lata Mangeshkar Award for his overall contribution in music by the Madhya Pradesh Government.

He represented India in Berlin at the World Conference of Composers who used songs as an instrument in social change. He was given the honour of inaugurating the World Seminar in Congress Hall with his own songs on the liberation of Bangladesh. In 1993 Dr. Hazarika had been conferred the highest honour by making him the president of Asom Sahitya Sabha.

Dr Hazarika married Priyamvada Patel, who belongs to the well-known Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel family, and has a son named Tej Hazarika. He met Priyamvada in America where he fell in love with her. But his parents opposed the match. So, before he returned to India, he got married to her in America. They were separated after 13 years.

Bhupen Hazarika has been associated with noted film directors like painter 'Maqbool Fida Husain', 'Sai Paranjype', 'Lekh Tandon', 'Kalpana Lajmi' and 'Bimal Dutt'. He has directed music for many movies by these directors. At present he is staying in Mumbai with Kalpana Lajmi with a 40-year-long association. M F Husain preferred him to music veterans such as Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan. He says, ‘Bhupen, you paint when you sing. Your music paints, but my brush can’t sing.’

(From the North-East India page on Facebook.)

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