Conversation

Gone with the Wind

With his bow and violin, we listen in to Manoj George’s music and perspective on what’s like to be an independent musician.

Published

8 years ago

February 2, 2016

FWDmedia

With his bow and violin, we listen in to Manoj George’s music and perspective on what’s like to be an independent musician.

During a stirring noon, I was informed that the interview would be slightly delayed, for Manoj was detained by a delayed flight. Thus, I sought company with my jotter pad. It had a blank page that simply noted, Manoj George was awarded a certificate as a choral arranger in the Grammy award winning, ‘Winds of Samsara.’ Taken back by the gravity of the title, the word Samsara is an intense one that delves into reincarnation. The music abides by its name with its undulant tranquil and contemplative sounds. Buried in my earphones, I was welcomed into a surreal world of meditative notes. While listening to Mountain of Solitude and Mahatma, its composition had a fusion of African and Indian sonic vistas. A tap on my shoulder and I was awakened by my colleague. He said, “He’s here.” Manoj had an unaware complacency on his face, it must have been that feeling of reaching his hometown, Olarikkara, Thrissur. Very casually he sat down on an armchair and with an amiable tone he asked what I enjoy about music. He never showed off his accolades, but in time, I found out he’s been on a musical journey for so many years. He joined Raghu Dixit and created a band, Antaragni – that emanated world fusion music. He later decided to fly solo. He’s had his moments when he was a part of the opening act for the Bryan Adams show in Bangalore to performing in the presence of luminaries like Dr. L. Subramaniam and Yesudas. But in the walk of music, he stays loyal to independent compositions.At first, I thought it wasn’t great being woken up from my surreal state, but then reality had a fresh and welcoming perspective.

New age music, a new genre that steers towards an unheard terrain of sounds. There must be an impetus for you to follow the road not taken?

I’ve always wanted to play an instrument and the violin is something that’s dear to me. When I was young, I was fascinated by the church choir and the violinist who played. There was stunning chant sound that resonated in me and till now motivates me to play the violin. (He shows his modernistic contoured violin gifted by a friend from South Africa.)

The chants were quite celestial in the Mountain of Solitude and Mahatma, what was your line of thought when you arranged the strings for these pieces?

While arranging the strings for Mountain of Solitude, I wanted an inkling of Indian touch, there was the incorporation of Ragas. (He slowly broke into a vibrato that synced with his waggling hands.) With the use of strings, I came up with a different style. But I can say I have been a fan of jazz, Carnatic and classic music, they are very innate, and naturally they influence my music too. It’s a spontaneous decision, that’s why I lean towards independent compositions.

You said all these different styles influence you- the beauty of art is how it’s all intertwined. What connects the dots for you in music?

Whenever I travel, many tunes form in my mind when I hear the sounds of nature. I have been touring for the past fifteen years and each time I visit a place, there always lies an inspiration.
(We talked about how Billy Joel was inspired to write his song Vienna when he saw an old woman trying to cross the street in Vienna.)

Like Billy Joel, have you had any travel experiences that made you believe music is a crux of life?

Once when I performed at a concert in Trivandrum. That night I was playing independent compositions by Mozart and a few ragas. A lady approached me and said she wanted to tell something important. She said that over a few years she lost her father, brothers and recently her husband. Her son and she finally thought of suicide, and they decided to celebrate the last night with the concert. When they heard the music, the son said he was no ready to give up on his life and he wanted to pursue music. And she called me to thank me, I could only say it was fate and God’s wish that she landed here and she connected with the music. Music can really change one’s life.

You mentioned that you prefer independent compositions, what’s the challenge of being an independent artist?

Promoting yourself. In India, television and radio stations promote commercial film music. The biggest challenge is that independent artists don’t have any companies to promote them because of piracy and, of course, film producers pump in money for the film’s soundtracks. On the other hand independent artists have to market themselves through all sort of media like YouTube, Soundcloud and I tunes, and yes, CDs at the concerts they perform.

With intense marketing and technology now, aren’t independent artists supposed to excel more?

Those days there was channels V and of course MTV that promoted independent artist and music. I am not sure what’s happening in television. But if you take any media, radio to chat shows they showcase film music, I guess the root of it all is money.

And if wishes were granted in a wink, what would you love to happen for the independent artists?

I talked to the CM about hosting an independent music award show. Just like the Grammy approaches music in so many categories, Kerala should bring so many independent musicians into the limelight. I’ve approached Manorama and Asianet to organize categories such as best singer, best pop album and independent music, ghazal, etc for the independent music awards show. I hope it happens.

Quickies

Music that’s on shuffle mode?

I listen to world music. Currently, I’m in the jazz zone with Stefan Raphael and Django Reinhardt.

In your dream band, we’ll be listening to?

Django Reinhardt, Billy Cobham Victor Wooten and the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestras.

What’s the trick of finding the perfect track?

Don’t restrict yourself to listening to different genres. Music will always surprise you.

Most of us relax with music, you have that, what else soothes you?

Gardening. As a child, I always loved planting flowers and I like vegetables too. Earlier I used to have a garden, unfortunately, I do not have time now.

Something India should contribute to the world?

Many countries that have their own orchestra to play western classical music like the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra. I want India to form their orchestra to represent all of our Indian Ragas.

Words by Atheena Wilson and Photographs by Jinson Abraham

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Netflix’s Cleopatra: A Controversial Provocation Egypt Could Do Without

Published

11 months ago

May 21, 2023

Keerthi Thilakan

In the realm of streaming content, Netflix’s Cleopatra has recently grabbed attention, trending on most-watched charts amidst a contrived controversy over the casting of a Black actress in the iconic titular role. Produced by Jada Pinkett-Smith, this installment is the second in her ‘African Queens’ series, which has stirred debates surrounding representation and historical accuracy. However, the current state of Egypt, grappling with numerous challenges, suggests that this provocative series is the last thing the nation needs.

The portrayal of Cleopatra has always been intertwined with fascination and debate, particularly centered around her appearance rather than her race, in historical accounts. The Hollywood industry, historically dominated by white executives, had marginalized Black talent, deeming them unmarketable and unworthy of significant roles. The industry’s limited embrace of Black stories in the past was primarily driven by profit rather than genuine progressivism.

In the case of Netflix’s Queen Cleopatra, the casting of a Black performer in the lead role was destined to ignite controversy, especially among Egyptians increasingly hostile towards Afrocentrism. However, the preceding installment of the ‘African Queens’ series, Njinga, did not generate significant interest or impact, lacking the depth to stimulate intellectual discourse.

Director Tina Gharavi’s previous works, while sincere in their storytelling, did not display visionary filmmaking challenging the conventional Anglophone documentary style. Despite this, Netflix and Pinkett-Smith effectively employed marketing tactics, leveraging the race card to generate buzz around Cleopatra, ultimately leading to its elevated position in the charts.

Disappointingly, Queen Cleopatra fails to offer any fresh insights into the Egyptian icon. The four episodes follow a predictable and formulaic narrative structure, focusing on Cleopatra’s rise and fall without delving into her race. The series, featuring medium close-up interviews with academics predominantly from American and British institutions, coupled with lackluster dramatizations, fails to engage viewers or provide an aesthetically distinct perspective.

The show’s emphasis on Cleopatra’s physical beauty and sensationalized elements aligns with Netflix’s faux-liberal gender and sexual politics, which are often presented simplistically and lacking depth. While the representation of minority groups in film and TV is an important concern, solely focusing on representation can overshadow other vital aspects, such as artistry, film history, and the political use of aesthetics.

Critics and viewers fixated on the racial depiction of Cleopatra, generating substantial media coverage and overlooking the artistic value and storytelling approaches employed in the series. Amidst the heightened racial discourse, the nuances of Egypt’s complex relationship with blackness have been lost. Egypt’s struggle with economic crises, political challenges, and external influences leaves the nation feeling helpless and disheartened.

In its current state of turmoil, Egypt seeks a savior and is grappling with collective defeat, making the Netflix provocation an unwelcome addition. The nation, deprived of agency and self-determination, holds onto its historical heritage, which has been plundered by the West for centuries. In such circumstances, a reframing of their own history, even in the form of a fictional series, elicits a strong reaction from a nation grappling with numerous challenges.

Ultimately, while the casting controversy surrounding Netflix’s Cleopatra has sparked discussions on representation and historical accuracy, Egypt’s broken state and desperate need for stability and self-determination make this provocative series an unnecessary and untimely distraction.

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Unleashing the Power: Scorpio Lunar Eclipse on May 5th Signals Major Transformation Ahead

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12 months ago

May 5, 2023

Keerthi Thilakan

The cosmos are gearing up for a powerful event: the May 5th lunar eclipse in Scorpio. This celestial spectacle promises to be a transformative experience that will shake us to the core. As the full moon aligns with the sun and the Earth casts its shadow, Scorpio’s dark and intense energy will be unleashed, inviting us to confront our deepest fears and desires.

Scorpio, known for its enigmatic nature and passionate intensity, is the zodiac’s most enigmatic and mysterious sign. It’s associated with death, rebirth, and transformation, making this lunar eclipse an auspicious time for letting go of old patterns and embracing a new, more authentic way of being. The Scorpio energy is all about digging deep into the shadows, exploring our subconscious minds, and facing the truth no matter how uncomfortable it may be.

During this lunar eclipse, we can expect intense emotions to surface, bringing to light buried feelings and hidden desires. Scorpio’s energy is not one to shy away from the taboo or the uncomfortable, and neither should we. It’s time to confront the parts of ourselves that we’ve been keeping hidden, and to embrace our true selves.

As we navigate this intense energy, it’s important to remember to practice self-care and self-love. Scorpio’s energy can be overwhelming, so be sure to take breaks and ground yourself when needed. The lunar eclipse is an opportunity for growth and transformation, but it’s up to us to take the necessary steps to harness this energy and make the most of this powerful celestial event.

In conclusion, the May 5th lunar eclipse in Scorpio is a powerful and transformative event that promises to shake us to our core. It’s an opportunity to face our fears, embrace our desires, and transform ourselves from the inside out. So, get ready to unleash your inner Scorpio and embrace the intensity of this celestial event.

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8 Best Podcasts of 2020

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3 years ago

November 27, 2020

Abhirami Chandran

To the people who doesn’t know what a podcast is- it’s pretty much like a radio show and is released in a streamable or downloadable format through various sites. You can access to millions of podcasts in many genres from anywhere you have internet access.

Here’s a list of podcasts for you to listen:

The Musafir Stories – India Travel Podcast

The Musafir Stories is a wonderful online podcast that talks about iconic and, in fact, all sorts of travel destinations. The podcast series is hosted by Saif Omar and Faiza Khan who talk to fellow travellers about their various adventures across India.
Available on iTunes, Google podcasts, JioSaavn, and Spotify.

https://themusafirstories.com/

Second Life

This online podcast is hosted by Hillary Kerr from the well-known fashion publication Who What Where and it chronicles the career changes of its many guests. It spotlights successful women who’ve made major career changes.

You can listen to her episodes on Apple podcast, Spotify, and Podbean.

https://www.secondlifepod.com/

In The Dark

In The Dark’s content is about uncovering the world’s most iconic crime cases. In short, it’s an investigative journalism podcast, hosted and narrated by Madeleine Baran.

You can listen to it on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, and Podbean.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/american-public-media/in-the-dark-apm

The Passion People Podcast

The Passion People Podcast is a series of conversations about following a passion and how to manifest it. There are several conversations with experts, entrepreneurs, and icons that inspire the listeners, and the show is hosted by Naga Subramanya.

You can find the podcast on Stitcher, Apple Podcast, and JioSaavn.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/naga-subramanya-b-b/the-passion-people-podcast

GayBCD

GayBCD is an online podcast that seeks to understand what it means to be queer in today’s time. It’s hosted by Sunetro Lahiri and Farhad Karkaria and is created by IVM Podcasts. You can expect to find funny and comforting discussions about coming out and how a sense of humour, wisdom, and parlance play such an important role in understanding yourself better as a person.

This podcast series is easily available on YouTube, Stitcher, JioSaavn, and Apple Podcast.

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/indus-vox/gaybcd

Harry Potter at Home

Harry Potter At Home is a new series by the Wizarding World that has famous names from entertainment, music, and sports reading chapters from Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone, and the magic is still alive. They currently have the first two chapters out – the first by Daniel Radcliffe and the second by Noma Dumezweni.

You can listen to the series on Spotify and a video version is available on Wizarding World.

https://open.spotify.com/show/2JUljwaD9fNSeq8Vy3UAUp

Maed in India

Maed in India prides itself on being India’s first indie music podcast and features conversations with, well, independent musicians from India and abroad. From unreleased music to unknown music stories, they have it all. It’s great for discovering new music, too.

You can listen to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, JioSaavn, Podbean, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.

https://maedinindia.fanlink.to/podcast

The Corner Flag

Indian fans of the European and Worldwide football can rejoice in this chat show about sports with comedian Amogh Ranadive. If you like hearing commentary on the latest Premiere league (or other) antics with an Indian twist this might just be the Indian chat show for you.