Amra ajo naroke (We are still in hell)

The genre of Rock was born out of the Blues in the early 60's out of a need to simplify music and take it to the masses, primarily the rebellious youth who were all too tired of the complexity of jazz and chamber music, tired of an uptight society in general. They needed a voice that would speak their language and represent their experiences in real, sweaty, non-artistic day to day life. Rock was the answer. Rock came up simultaneously on both sides of the Atlantic and then spread itself far and wide over the next few decades. Bangla Rock too, I believe was born out of the need to simplify music and give a voice to the Bengali youth. Cactus to my mind has stayed true to this ever since its inception some 26 years ago. It has stayed true to itself even through its numerous line-up changes, it has stayed true to itself through its evolving soundscape over the decades. Most importantly it has stayed true to what it stands for, a rock band which is a voice for the youth and which speaks the language of their experience, their aspirations and what they see around them every day. And what they see around them is hell!

Amra ajo naroke screams out the fact that we live in hell. How true - war, famine, genocide, anti-semitism, xenophobia, islamophobia, alienation, borders, refugees, orphans, Trump, Modi, far-right extremism, insurgency, rise of neo-nazism is the order of the day. The song is as much political as it is social. The song is as much a commentary  of the times we live in as much a warning of what follows. It takes balls in today's intolerant times to put up a mirror in our faces and show us our true selves. It requires a whole lot of intellectual honesty to introspect and ask 'what have we done', with our lives, with our freedom, with our world.  Amra ajo naroke is an anthem for the times we live in. It underlines our day to day life in bold stokes.

The sound continues to be experimental and post modern, alt Rock. The lyrics and metaphores used are simple to understand and appreciate. Simplicity is the key as I have already mentioned, but simplicity not at the cost of craftsmanship. Sidhu, Baji, Buti and the rest give it their all from the word go and the haunting theme stays on much after the music has stopped. Thoroughly enjoyed the video and the song.

Cactus forver !!

EOD

Deriving Doom

Tobuo thik achhe

It’s 1 in the night and this new song of Cactus has been playing on loop in my headphones for perhaps the 20th time..... I have been a Cactus follower since the mid 90’s and I am amazed at how the soundscape of Cactus still continues to evolve.. Still everything is fine or Tobuo thik achhe!! 

Sidhu, Baji and Buti have grown old and there are new members in this new line up- band members whose names I don’t know....Still everything is fine or Tobuo thik achhe!!

They are no longer a psychedelic blues rock band, no uff ma! or Ichaamoti ! They are now a progressive , post-modern , Alt rock band... still everything is fine .. Tobuo thik achhe! 

Cactus might be struggling, Cactus might not be as loud or attitudinal as Fossils, but Cactus is intellectually honest and has an integrity which comes with being around for over 25 years. Cactus has a soul, Cactus is an experience... u can switch off the light and turn on Cactus or you can head bang to Cactus in an open field.. either ways everything is fine... Tobuo thik achhe.

And like the cactus plant in the desert the band Cactus is a survivor, asking for very little, just asking for your understanding and appreciation for their art and manifesto, their philosophy, their expression. 

Long live Cactus ! Long live rock and roll!!

Spiritual

Open market

“Khola baajar er hawa chupi sarey korey dhawa ei muhurte” is a line from a Bengali song! Roughly translated it means “the winds of the open market economy is quietly shadowing and chasing you right at this moment “. I suddenly remembered this line when a leading internet player was talking to us about the great inroads they have made into rural India. And now that inroads in the name of spreading net-literacy has been made why don’t the multinationals join in the bonhomie and take advantage. Together then all parties go dancing to the bank. Win-win for all. Isn’t it?

But my question is does everything need to be monetised? Do the villagers really need the Internet or do they need a square meal a day? Do they need market economy or just the right to be left alone to lead a simple village life? In the name of progress we are peddling capitalism. In the name of development we are fucking up someone else’s life now that we have fucked ours up successfully.... where do we draw the line?

And then that age old story will repeat itself again and again about how one day these villagers rise in protest and want their simple life back, they will be labelled naxals/maoists/anti-national. Government machinery will swing into action, land will be grabbed, food and livelihood will be snatched. Crores worth of projects will be distributed amongst political parties while the owners of the land- the villagers languish.... can we really wash our hands clean and say we are not to blame. No we all have blood on our hands! We are all guilty and yet we all turn a blind eye coz revenues need to be made, salaries need to justified and awards need to be won! 

Wont you rather