Every Bodhi's Moca Café is a musical event that would serve and is serving as a platform for musicians without enforcing any commercial compulsions. The event is being held every fortnight at the AMETHYST, Chennai, beginning 17th August 2002for a period of 2 months.
GRAMMAMPHONE [14th January 2002]Grammamphone was a show in collabration with Star Vijay, the well known tamil television channel. Grammamphone was a special show that was made for the festival of Pongal. The show comprised of over 50 folk artistes from Tamil Nadu who performed various folk art forms of South India. This was also an occasion where Bodhi Records released a song based on the Thirukurral, this song had very well known folk and celebrity musicians performing on the single.
NO MORE BHOPALS - Campus Tour 2001 (Chennai)31st January to 8th February 2001 was an envioronment awarness week co-ordinated by Bodhi at leading schools & colleges in Chennai. The event was designed to make the student community of Chennai understand and respect the environment through music. John Anthony and The Banned performed songs from the music album 'No More Bhopals'. Greenpeace provided support in the form of informative material for student awareness including Video Footage, Manuals, Flyers, Posters,Video / Flash Presentations, Photo Displays and Questionnaires. They also conducted innovative awareness activities at the event. Bodhi produced and co-ordinated the events between the Institutions, Greenpeace and The Banned
JAZZ FUSION BY SEDA (a German ensemble) [3rd March, 2000]This was a world music concert by SEDA. It held the promise of connecting different worlds of music in an adventurous way, and it did. As a trio lineup,Ramesh Shotham (percussion), Holger Mantey (piano) and Christopher Dell (vibraphone) work intensively on combining the traditions of Jazz, Indian classical music and its European counter part.
ERANDAYIRATHIL ORUVAN [17th January, 2000]
"Erandayirathil Oruvan" was a musical extravaganza to celebrate the birthday of MGR - Hero of the millennium! A tribute to the legend of Tamil cinema, the "Hero's Day" show centred around the musical album "Erandayirathil Oruvan" - compilation of eight of the most unforgettable foot tapping,hip-swinging MGR songs. The show was graced by celebrities from tinsel-town and the pop music industry. Musicians such as Malgudi Shubha, K.L.Sriram, Pushpa Sriram, Yugendran, Karunaas performed. Also Dr.K.A.Gunasekaran,Head of Department (Drama)-Pondicherry University, shared the stage with T.M.Soundararajan - the immortal voice of MGR in his timeless songs. The show also featured a variety of indigenous performing and martial arts like Thappattam, Silambam and Thudumbattam. Show Credits : Director: Pravin Scripting: Kumaravel Music: Bodhi Productions Special Appearance: Dr.K.A.Gunashekaran Folk Drummers: Cheran Thudumbattam, Thanjai Rangarajan Thappatam Kuzhu. Dancers: Kalyanmaster troupe Singers: Male Vocals: K.L.Sriram. Female Vocals: Pushpa Sriram, Sangita Sajit, Sindhu. English Vocals & Rap: Sunitha Sarathy. Musicians: K.V.Balakrishnan (Tabla, Dholak, Dandiya), Donnan Murray (Backing Vocal, Claps), Maarten Visser (Saxophone), Neil Mukherjee (Guitars), G.Parathasarathy (Percussion & Effects), Paul Jacob (Arrangement, Keyboard, Bass & Drum Programming), K.L.Sriram (Flute).
N.A.S.A (National Association of Student Architects) [24th December, 1998]More than 6000 architecture students from all over India converged at Anna University, Chennai. For two days the campus was abuzz with happening activities. And the rock show that Bodhi organised as the finale of the event, rocked the Anna stadium as never before. Musicians: Donnan Murray: Guitar, Vocals Maynard Grant: Drums Neil Mukherjee: Guitar, Vocals Paul Jacob: Bass, Vocals Santhosh Cherian: Vocals Sunitha Sarathy: Vocals Timothy Madhukar: Vocals
THE EVOLUTION OF MR. ROCK [13th March, 1998]
"The Evolution of Mr. Rock" was a show encompassing the rock movement through the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. "Madras Eye" performed along with Krosswindz fromCalcutta. "Madras Eye" draws its members from India's acclaimed bands such as: Down Sterling, Nemesis Avenue, Juravi, Burn, Grasshopper Greens (all Chennai outfits), KrossWindz (Calcutta) and Grassroots Revival (Ahmedabad).These bands, having played in almost all the rock meccas in the country, can undoubtedly take the pat for establishing a vibrant and energetic rock scene during the late 80's and early 90's.The musicians who performed for "The Evolution of Mr. Rock" include: David Pascall,Donnan Murray,Jerry Costa, Jim Sathya, Keith Peters, Neil Mukherjee,Paul Jacob,Reginald Goveas, Rzhude David, Shudip Chandrasekhar, Sudhin Prabhakar,Timothy Madhukar,Sunitha Sarathy and Uday Balasundaram.
PURNAKUMBHAM [18th October, 1997]"Purnakumbham" - the overflowing pot that emerged from the cosmic ocean containing amrit - the heavenly nectar. The first of a series of concerts by Bodhi records, "Purnakumbham" featured THAPPATAM drummers of Tanjavur and BRAHMA, a contemporary Carnatic band. The THAPPATAM drummers have traditionally been associated with royal announcements, arrivals, festivals and processions. BRAHMA takes its name from the deity responsible for initialising creation as we know it. Brahma featured: Balu - tabla, percussion. Ganesh - violin, vocals, compositions. Jim Satya - key boards. John Anthony - guitar, arrangement. Kumaresh - violin, compositions. Paul Jacob - bass, arrangement. Vikku Vinayakaram - ghatam, compositions.
VALENTINE'S DAY SHOW FOR BANYAN [14th February-2004]This was a Valentine's day show with a difference, an eclectic mix of avant garde and tradition. DJ GENETIC DRUGS from Berlin, Germany spearheaded some feet stomping music sequined with alternative grooves by Thappattam Drummers from Thanjavur. Bonnie Chakraborthy, K.V. Balu and Paul Jacob added their potions to this magic brew. This show was in the aid of THE BANYAN, a home for mentally ill and destitute women, held at MGM resorts, 8 pm on saturday the 14th feb 2004.
VERUPPIN VEPPATHAI THANIKKA- INAIYUM KARANGAL [24th April-2004]A galaxy of prominent artists from various fields and genres of music, dance, drama, poetry performed to celebrate the message of communal harmony peace and justice. Rabindranath Tagore's Geetanjali set to music by V.S Narasimhan (Tamil) and Paul Jacob (English). The show featured Film Artists: Kamal Hasan, Rohini, Nasser, Amala, Director Vasanth, Director Thankar Bacchan, Music Director S.A.Rajkumar Playback singers: Usha Uthup, Karthik, Sreelekha Parthasarathy, Tippu, Classical Music by: Sudha Raghunathan, T.M. Krishna, Folk Performances by: K.A.Gunasekaran, Thanjavur Thappattam, Contemporary Bands: Oikyotaan, Murali Karthik & Uma Shankar, Grace Maestro Orchestra, Artists: Dakshinamurthy, Veera Santhanam, Marudhu, Biswam, Manohar, Pugazhenthi, Nedunchezian, Asma Menon, Karthik, Blodsow, Theatre Artists: Mangai, Preetham, Chennai Kalai Kuzhu, Koothu-P-Pattarai Poets: Suriya Deepan, Jaya Baskaran, Illam Pirai, Rishi, Pachiappan, Pa Ravikumar. This show was held at Wesley school grounds, Chennai on 24th April 2004.
SPICE JAM Bodhi Records in association with Southern Spice Music (SS Music) organised and co-ordinated a talent hunt where bands such as Molotov, Cocktail, Woodz, No Idea, Buddha's Babies and Funky Bodhi performed live. Spice Jam was created to give the television audience a chance to watch unknown and known bands and musicians of South India showcase their original music and share musical ideas
àkarsa- 2003 [7th September-2003]
Ever wondered what it would be like not to be able to control the movement of your limbs? Or what it would be like to have someone carry you around for even your very basicrequirements? For those of us who lead normal lives, there comes a time when we're given a chance to show the underprivileged that we care. àkarsa- 2003 was one such opportunity. Funky Bodhi Music showcased two leading contemporary fusion performances by YAKSHAS, OIKYOTAAN, AVIGNA- a dance ensemble and a special presentation by RASA'S children with developmental disabilities. This show was held at the IIT Open Air Theater on the 7th of September 2003.
FAKIRI AKKHDA [8th August-2003]
On the occasion of its Golden Jubilee the Alliance Française of Madras Presented "Fakiri Akkhda" A Bengali folk Performances by Oikyotaan featuring Kartick Das Baul (Shantiniketan, WestBengal) And "Alienation" (Series), an exhibition of Paintings By Blodsow.
DOWN TO EARTH [26th July-2003]The idea of "down to earth" is to demonstrate to the student community that one does not necessarily have to resort to high tech gadgetry to be creative. Blodsow's paintings are made mainly out of mud, sand and charcoal! & OIKYOTAAN is a city based music group that is exploring various ideas to bring folk music (most of which is inspired by the beauty of nature and performed with instruments made from natural resources) from around the country to urban audiences. This show featured Karthik Das Baul from Shantiniketan based in Calcutta. The idea of integrating the two is to break the barriers that exist between various art forms and create a dialog between them for the benefit of all. The forum debated the various issues that keep students away from the creative process.
SAFFAR [31st October-2002]
A Musical Journey Presented by AKHRA - The Dancing Grounds Event produced by BODHI Music Featuring 13 musicians and 6 dancers from 5 countries that span 3 continents, Safar was a once in a lifetime performance that featured the most diverse talent from around the world. Safar was a musical journey where the performers, coming from disparate cultures and traditions are travelled towards each other, using the music, dance and text as vehicles. The music of Safar was composed by Nandlal Nayak, a Jharkhandi folk musician whose work in both traditional and contemporary / world music has been recognized and appreciated by audiences, press and governments in Europe, the United States, and in his native India.The dance was choreographed by Wendy Jehlen, an American choreographer whose primary training is in Bharatanatyam which she has studied and performed for over twenty years. Safar was made up of musicians and dancers from all over India, including Jharkhand, Kerala, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, as well as from Japan, the United States and Italy.
MUZZIK KOOTH [21st september 2002]
The real stars of the show were the children of Vidya Sagar-a school for special children with mental disabilities. Funky Bodhi performed with well-known playbacksinger Malgudi Shubhaa. The line-up of musicians included Donan Murray on guitar, JaishankarIyer on keyboard, harmonium, K.V. Balu on percussion, Mario Desmier on bass, Paul Jacob on drums. Snazzy music and scintillating singing made for a throughly enjoyably " Muzzik Koothu".This fund raiser was held at Kamaraj Memorial hall, Chennai on 21st september 2002
Qawali Party [12-10-2002] Munna Shaokath Ali founder of the "Amir Khusro Sangeet Academy"- an organisation that gives free musical training to the under priveledged, is the man behind Qawwali Party. For the lovers of Qawwali, it is food for soul. It is a free flowing genre in which one embraces in imagination the beloved, the Sufi Saint, the Guru or God himself. Through this imagination, the artist is lead from one vision to the other .Musicians: Singer:- Munna Shaokath Ali Tabla:- Syed Ghaffar, Basha Jan Dholak:- Ghulam Qasim Electri Banjo:- Masood Ahmed Chorus:- Syed Ibrahim, Hasan Khanjari Master:- Sardar Ahmed
Groove Suppa [14-09-2002] Groove suppa was formed in Feb 2002 to perform at the Kathmandu Jazz Fest.The trip ignited the idea tomake it a full time affair. In Nepal they were offered the chance toperform at a Brisbane festival to be held later in the year. In Mumbai they have done two further gigs to a select audience.The sound of the band is a mix of blues, funk, reggae all being held together with Jazz sensibilities and improvisation. Much like a monster with a jazz head (Charlie Parker), a torso of reggae(Marley), hips of funk (all de blacks) and feet of dance music.Musicians: Tala Faral:-Saxophone, Keyboard Benoy Prathan:-Guitar William:- Drums Dwight Patterson: Bass
Kashti [31-08-2002] Kashti is a duo Neil & Bonney from Chennai, orginally from West Bengal who perform contemporary music which reflects the modern, urban psyche.- Reflecting modern urban Indian culture& music that features elements of Indian folk, film and classical music, western classical, blues, all co-existing to creat one identity. "Kashti" songs are personal and social; the themes varied, culminating in an expression, which reflects the roots, influences, contexts, textures and experiences of a contemporary urban Indian space and time.Musician: Neil Mukherjee:- Guitar,Vocals Bonnie Chakraborthy:- Vocals, Percussion Donnan Murray:- Keyboard, Guitar Keith Peters:- Bass Maarten Visser:-Saxophone
Orient Express [17-08-2002] Orient Express is a band from Kolkata that sings in Spanish and Bengali and Plays Latin American music. Led by Manojit Datta, this energetic group has spent years perfecting the Samba, the Bossa-nova and various other forms of Latin American music, adding their bit by infusing Bengali lyrics into their repetoire.Musicians: Manojit Datta:- Flute,Clarinet, Guitar Som Dasgupta:- Keyboard, Lead Vocals Sreya Datta:- Accordian, Maracas Mainak Chawdhury:- Fretless, Fretted Bass, backing Vocals Biplaw Singh:- Guitar, Backing Vocals Kollol Das:- Flute Sourav Chatterjee:- Percussion Subhankar Ganguli:- Percussion, Backing Vocals.
