' I was just trying to play harmonica in those days and came across one of the records of Milon Gupta, and that was the day I had decided to meet the mastreo.' All of us wanted to know the other part of the story when Sanjay Agarwal told this.
Chartered Accountant Sanjay Agarwal from Lucknow, visited Ahmedabad to meet all the members of harmonica club.
He said it was very difficult to locate Milon Gupta's house in Culcutta in those days. When he introduced himself as one of his fans, he was given a very warm welcome by Milon Gupta himself and blessed him with many tips to improvise. Those days he used to teach harmonica to the children living in his area.
Sanjay plays harmonica since many years. He played some beautiful songs. It was a nice learning session. He takes help of his son who has won many 1st prizes in violin concerts.
This little wonderful instrument has made many strangers, very close friends. Hasn't it ??
Friday, February 20, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Rustom Karwa : The Man who lives music
" Yes, we can meet outside the church at Kemps Corner. I am wearing a peacock blue shirt and I sport a french beard." I was delighted that Rustom Karwa, harmonica maestro agreed to spare some time to meet me.
Rustom has been playing harmonica since childhood. He formed his small band comprising chord harmonica player Nani Sukhadwala and base player Adi Billimoria.
Rustom has played in many Hindi movies. These include Ek duje ke liye, Iman aur Dharam, Aashik hu baharo ka, Chhailababu, Mr. India, Saudagar and Vishwatma to name just a few. Whenever you hear someone whistling in any of the songs, chances are the man doing it is Rustom. Besides playing harmonica, Rustom whistles his way into the heart of the music lovers.
No wonder, Rustom has been a favourite of music directors like Laxmikant Pyarelal, Usha Khanna and Anu Malik who have used his whistling and harmonica playing skills to embellish their music.
"Blow your harmonica as if you are blowing out a candle and see the difference," says Rustom, letting me in into the secret of playing this delicate musical instrument. He had many secrets to share but we had very little time on hand. However, he was kind to play a few numbers and share his experiences with me for almost two hours while sitting in the Gaylord restaurant near the Churchgate station.
Rustom can carry out minor repairs of harmonica, a service he provides to his fans and followers. Though harmonica is his first love, Rustom believes that to play any instrument one must have an ear for music and an eye for details.
Rustom has been playing harmonica since childhood. He formed his small band comprising chord harmonica player Nani Sukhadwala and base player Adi Billimoria.
Rustom has played in many Hindi movies. These include Ek duje ke liye, Iman aur Dharam, Aashik hu baharo ka, Chhailababu, Mr. India, Saudagar and Vishwatma to name just a few. Whenever you hear someone whistling in any of the songs, chances are the man doing it is Rustom. Besides playing harmonica, Rustom whistles his way into the heart of the music lovers.
No wonder, Rustom has been a favourite of music directors like Laxmikant Pyarelal, Usha Khanna and Anu Malik who have used his whistling and harmonica playing skills to embellish their music.
"Blow your harmonica as if you are blowing out a candle and see the difference," says Rustom, letting me in into the secret of playing this delicate musical instrument. He had many secrets to share but we had very little time on hand. However, he was kind to play a few numbers and share his experiences with me for almost two hours while sitting in the Gaylord restaurant near the Churchgate station.
Rustom can carry out minor repairs of harmonica, a service he provides to his fans and followers. Though harmonica is his first love, Rustom believes that to play any instrument one must have an ear for music and an eye for details.
Rustom played the popular number 'Lara's Theme' from the film 'Dr Zhivago' specially for me to capture the video for the Harmonica Club blog.
I have also captured a clip of his whistling - but of that sometime later.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
8th song : Gadi Bula rahi hai
Apoorva Bhatt and Rupesh Parmar.
Both of them play this song very well with whisteling and the effect of steam engine.
Both of them play this song very well with whisteling and the effect of steam engine.
This song requires a lot of stemina with rythemic tonguing.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Our DEVRAJ in Edmonton
Devraj writes from Edmonton, Canada
Dear Tapan,
Hope you are fine.....well, I just made my first Canadian Public Performance today.....had this amazing opportunity to talk to kids and teachers of a school in Edmonton where I played mouth organ and the audience really loved it ( I played "Hai apna dil to awara" on my CX-12).....am sending you some pics of the event...may like to forward it to harmonica enthusiast......hope I will be able to learn and play this instrument in this part of the world......
My regards to the members of Harmonica club of gujarat.....cheers !
Devraj.
Hope you are fine.....well, I just made my first Canadian Public Performance today.....had this amazing opportunity to talk to kids and teachers of a school in Edmonton where I played mouth organ and the audience really loved it ( I played "Hai apna dil to awara" on my CX-12).....am sending you some pics of the event...may like to forward it to harmonica enthusiast......hope I will be able to learn and play this instrument in this part of the world......
My regards to the members of Harmonica club of gujarat.....cheers !
Devraj.
Dear Devraj,
Members of Harmonica club of Gujarat miss you. We still remember your unique style of playing harmonica. Keep it up.
Members of Harmonica club of Gujarat miss you. We still remember your unique style of playing harmonica. Keep it up.
With Warm Regards
Your own team.Thursday, January 15, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
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