The Soul of Shillong

Shillong has always been recognized as the Rock Capital of India. And the little hill city does live up to its reputation. In no other Indian city/town would you hear taxis belting out rock ballads or see fountains dancing to the tune of Dream Theatre in a park.


Music is part and parcel of the daily life of the people and scores of bands have been formed and have split over the generations. But very few have made it as big as Soulmate, the quintessential Blues band of India. This two piece band of veteran Rudy Wallang and the beautiful Tipriti (Tips) Kharbangar came together in 2003 and released their first album “Shillong” in 2005. Tips is recognized as one of the finest female vocalists in India and Rudy was awarded “The Best Guitar Player” in 2009 (JD Awards). Soulmate’s music has been inspired by the roots & groove sounds of Rock n Roll, Blues, Blues Rock, Funk and R&B but their songs also have a deep influence of the Khasi way of life and Shillong in particular. The band has earned fame in International festivals like the Jakarta Blues Festival and the International Blues Challenge (Chicago).


In India Blues & Jazz has always had a niche audience but for anyone who loves music, Soulmate is an experience they shouldn’t miss out on. Their live acts are captivating, stirring the deepest emotions in the audience and leaving them speechless. And if you haven’t heard them yet, it’s high time you did on:
http://www.myspace.com/soulmateshillong

Rain Rain Rain

Its amazing how the earth comes back to life once the monsoons are here. India becomes a different country with happiness shining through the wet earth everywhere. Different shades of green emerge through the disappearing brown and birds find new song in their lush surroundings. Staying on a hilltop of a campus in Lavale, Pune I have a first hand experience of the serenity and fury of the rains.

Love happens in the rains.......Hopes surface......playfulness finds a new turf.....and colours gather a new meaning.

When a distant flute's music finds its way to your ears and the winds start caressing your face and you watch the colours play mix and match in the sky, the soul finds its freedom and the heartbeats stop.