The MFM Jam Chronicle: Back to Bandstand-The Runaways Return: 2nd Nov, Sunday @ Bandra

Well, first a self administered pat on the back for the beautiful title! it seems out of some Star-wars like series! For the uninitiated who are wondering why is the title so melodramatic, it is because of the fact that two of the four people who had went away on the journey rejoined the jams after a period of more than a month! if you follow the community on orkut, there were lots of 'sentimental' talk regarding the continuity of the jam by the rest of the gang while the runaways roamed the roads.

I got a feeling that a lot of our remaining gang did not like the 'splitting' up of the jam, specially when we mentioned that our endeveour was to roam and establish similar jams at multiple places. I guess because we've become like a family here at the jam..knowing each other on this unique platform..a platform which is unihibited. But we've got to appreciate each others' own individualities and journeys in life..
the unique thing about the jams have been is that nobody has been ever forced to be regular at the jam-its been open and I've personally NEVER asked anyone why one has not reappeared Sunday after Sunday. I understand it is that freedom that makes the jam fun..the freedom to come when one likes and be accepted like you've never been missed. Like coming back to old friends and never feeling the gap.

The ones who have been most regular have either obviously loved it, have held the sanctity of the jam in high esteem, have gained something substantial out of each jam (friends, the ability to play, be part of community experience, being popular and being the star of the eyes of many girls and boys in the audience ..hehe!..etc. etc.) , for which they might have compromised a bit on their 'other' schedules on Sundays..

For me it had been a calling.. and a personal journey of growth, filling voids in myself, collecting like minded people for the issues I feel passionately about and the changes I've always wished to effect in the society-not just talk and brood about all the things we notice, feel, observe and are victims of often. And I used a tool and a medium I feel most passionate about-Music. So its stood for a lot for me on many angles-causes, calling, fun, sense of belonging, popularity, love, a great sense of gratification that you get by helping others and much more. And its gotten me to act out many roles..thinker, observer, organizer, singer, coordinator, mentor, moderator, photographer (hehe) all in a very small scale kind of fashion, though.

Me am not boasting..just a recollection of things from my perspective..and well the regularity of the jams kind of became sacrosanct as it grew, for people expect us to be there and you feel obliged to be there, sometimes even when you're not wanting to, able to, fit enough to etc. etc.
And since for me and for some other people as well it became so important that it meant ALWAYS being there come what may..but I guess life is not ALWAYS like that! if I'm not there, I'd expect the jam to go on irrespective of that..for the same rules of freedome should also apply to me to some extent..specially when the initial structure of the jam has been established.

But I guess I've been young and stupid- my intentions have been good but probably not my execution to that extent..and my understanding of people has lacked..And I've looked for people to help and aid me in whatever ways they can... And I've had personal matters to sort..things going on in my head..with my life..changes inside me as a human..which caused me to be not to be part of the jam for this duration, and I sure did not like it, but I really felt the need to be away from the jam for a while to get another perspective into whats going on...rather than just going on and on and on week after week in the same fashion..however compelling and attractive that might be..

And I've often felt that if we rose above ourselves sometimes, we'd be able to achieve our objectives in a better way-that of playing good, solid music with an energy that grasps people, articulating issues and letting people express themselves amongst us with thier imperfections (and sometimes having the courage to jam with people from the audience who play much better than us, without feeling small or anything!). Guess this is just like an organization, where if people inside rise above politics and all are able to perform better together as a team. But I guess we are all Humans..put a bunch of us together and we have emotions, thoughts all flying all around..cant help that either.

OHK! that was that. just felt like writing it..outside observers might be getting bored by now, so here's the story of the jam!

Come Sunday. It was like many other sundays before. I came a little earlier, met my cousin Sis Rimmi Di and brought her to the jam, she enjoys being part of the spirit. It was great to comeback to the good old artiste's court. Was relieved (!) to find Rachit and Vikas (a great pro guitarist) already there and jamming amongst themselves. And boy was I dying to start singing! so I slung the guitar over my shoulder and we started! Pulin, Monika and the gang arrived. Tarun, Kailash were there like good old regulars! Vijeeth Made it too! aur Pradeep bhee ! Some high fives and hugs and we were rolling! Then it was like the old times..some requests, some participation, our announcement of the concept and the the spirit taking off. Not as sustained and high as the old times..but I guess life is like that..up and down..you have phases..cricketers are in form and not in form..same with our jam..sine wave!

And then it was time of the surprise, we all were thinking that Vinay was still in Mirzapur and lo and behold, he makes an entry in his usual style! And Chintan made a similar entry, puncing me on the back! great to have a major part of the team back!

I had the oppurtunity of singing "give peace a chance" a song I wrote and Sulabh (Faridabad Band Pal) composed. Sang Iris, Zombie, With or without you as well. Pulin was sneezing, but playing! Monika was the only WOMAN in the "All People Jam Band" (!!) . Thus this jam can also be called the "return of the men", just in time to stop the takeover of jams by the women! hahaha!And Yogi was churning out a lot of Indian Ocean in ishtyle!!

Later, a guy from the audience noticed my pathetic rendering of song and took over the guitar duties, hope he comes over in the next jam as well!

Here are the pics:!

Smart Shutterbug and an attentive audience: Thats Kunal with the cam, who I once jammed with. Plays them Drums.