The North-East's old school rockers, who converge for a festival in Shillong this weekend, can't comprehend why Amit Paul got all that attention
S. Mitra Kalita
New Delhi
Before there was Amit Paul, there was rock.
In these times (they are a-changin') when a surefire way to stardom is to lose a televised contest, this hill station is hanging on to the lone reality show that birthed its reputation as the Western music capital of India: live concerts.
Shillong, known for convent schools and matriarchy, waterfalls and Westernization, has emerged as a frequent stop for certain rock groups. The kind that rage and riff, thrash and bang. Sometimes break into jazz or funk. Often shock. And like Amit, the Indian Idol 3 runner-up, they too pack crowds who swoon and dance and scream and yell along with the lyrics.
But don't dare liken them to the North-East's latest boy wonder. For he has come to represent part of what they rage against: institution, popularity, government sycophancy, cheesy Bollywood music.
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