The Sufi Acoustica performance by musician Tochi Raina and his Band of Bandagi, presented by Artist Aloud (on its maiden tour) will feature poetry by Baba Farid, Baba Bulleh Shah, apart from his wife and himself.
“The songs will be performed by my band, many of whom are my students and myself. They will be presenting a series of singles that I have composed. I have combined Sufi poetry, which I have explored to its roots, experimenting with other genres including jazz and blues to present a world music experience,” says Tochi, over telephone.
He has lent his voice to songs such as ‘Bullehshah’ from A Wednesday, ‘Iktara’ from Wake up Sid, ‘O Pardesi’ from Dev D, ‘Saibo’ from Shor in the City and ‘Kabira’ from Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani. His single ‘Dooriyan’ with Band of Bandagi was also recently nominated for Mirchi Music Awards.
“In this project, I have explored darker shades in the Western genres, through minor chords. Major chords evoke light while minor chords evoke darkness. While we view the outer world in daylight, darkness offers a chance to explore the inner world through meditation.”
Tochi, who is known for his explorations in spirituality and Sufi music, says he was first drawn to spirituality after witnessing a cremation in Nepal where his father was posted .
“That was the turning point of my life. When I turned 15, I ran away to Delhi. That’s where I found my guru Pandit Vinod Kumar, a disciple of Indian classical musician Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan,” recalls the singer-composer, who has also learnt music from Ustad Bhure Khan, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Ustad Altaf Hussain Sarang, Pandit Mani Prasad and Pandit Sitaram.
“I am bringing the philosophy of life through my music. This poetry and philosophy has been there for generations. Music cannot exist without philosophy, they go hand-in-hand. History is witness to this, over the years, we have been forgetting our traditions while the West is experimenting with our music. I am trying to bring back our musical traditions through Band of Bandagi.”
Poetry is also equally significant to music, says Tochi. “Poetry is the language of music. Even if the music is good and the lyrics are not, people do not enjoy it. All the musical greats remain immortal in their music because they had a philosophy.”
Tochi adds that even though he is a playback singer in the film industry, his musical vision remains intact. “I came to Mumbai with the idea of working as a composer. However I ended up being recognized for my voice. I am still choosy about the kind of songs I choose to sing, in films.”
It is only now that he is beginning to work as a composer, he says, adding that it takes time for any vision to come to fruition.
“It is important not to stray from the vision during this time. I never take a hasty decision when it comes to music, I have a lot of patience.”
Apart from the Sufi Acoustica tour with his band, that is covering Gurgaon, Bengaluru and Pune, Tochi says he also has an album in the offing that explores a variety of musical styles.
“If you listen to my compositions as part of Band of Bandagi, each one is distinct. Even the arrangement is different but the roots are in the poetry. There is peace in the music and where there is peace, there is God.”
Artist Aloud’s Sufi Acoustica, featuring Tochi Raina and Band of Bandagi, will take place at Hard Rock Café, St Mark’s Road on July 13.
Tickets priced at ₹1000 (500 Entry + 500 Cover) are available on bookmyshow.com. For details, call 4124 2222.