Faced with changing patterns of illicit drugs, and the spread of HIV amongst injecting drug users (IDUs), Kripa Foundation Assam Chapter staged a fund raising concert Off the Streets in aid of a special De-Addiction Centre for Juvenile Addicts.

With a tag line – “Together We Can Make A Difference”, the concert featuring three generations of Rock in Assam kickstarted at 7:00PM on August 31, 2008 at the city’s ITA Centre for Performing Arts, Machkhowa, with limited attendance. Moreover, it also celebrated 27 years of Kripa Foundation’s existence in India. “Kripa Foundation has the privilege of being the largest Non–Governmental Organisation in India, affiliated with the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, working among people afflicted with chemical dependency and HIV infection,” maintained Deepak Sahani, the Centre Manager of Kripa Foundation, Assam in his welcome address. He added, “Over a quarter century of service, Kripa Foundation has evolved a module of non-discriminating, supportive community living, empowering people to introspect and bring about a change in lifestyle.”

Kripa, derived from the Sanskrit word for “Grace,” lays emphasis on the need to study risk perception, effectively assist in harm minimisation and provide training to the affected individuals, enabling them to monitor life as an ongoing process of spiritual growth. The evening started off with a free form of expression by two friends - Rabiul and Pranab Mukherjee, where one guitar, two voices, Langstan Huges, Navankanta Barua, all featured in the Ride Across the River.

Casino Blue immediately took charge of the stage after the two friends bowed to the audience, and the young boys took it away from there with Pink Floyd’s Mother. Leading all away from the stage, upfront was Joushua Queah on rhythm guitars and vocals, Akash on bass guitar, Ambarish on lead guitars and Pom Pom on drums. They then sailed away with U2’s Where the Streets Have No Name, followed by the band’s own composition Red Orange Glow and Out on The Road. While the band played Rock ‘N’ Roll, they were supported by Lopeno Ovung from Kohima on drums while Partho was called in to handle the bass guitar on the U2 number.

As the evening progressed, sound engineer Jitu Neog, along with Kalyan Barua (Kelly for all of us) and Utpal Borsaikia were felicitated for their immense contribution towards the rock scene of Assam. A souvenir titled Off the Street was also formally released that evening, by State Forest and Environment Commissioner B B Hagjer, who also happens to be a patron of Kripa Foundation Assam.

However, it didn’t end with that. Utpal Borsaikia picked up his axe once again and jammed with Rabiul Islam on guitars and vocals, veteran bassman Dr. Ganesh Deka, Bitupon on drums and Hridoy also on vocals. They called themselves Buddha. “More than just a band, it’s close to what we call a project of sorts”, stated Rabiul before they started their act. Later, Rabiul also shared with the audience how Kripa saw the light of the day. “Kripa Foundation had humble beginnings in a church compound in Bandra in 1981, with three patients in residence, a priest, a doctor and a recovering alcoholic as a role model for recovery and sobriety. Since then, this public charitable trust has spread all over India, with 48 varied facilities addressing chemical dependency and HIV and AIDS in 11 states in the country, namely, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka,West Bengal (Darjeeling), Manipur (Imphal), Nagaland (Kohima), Meghalaya (Shillong), Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Delhi.”

Later, before Moonwind took total charge of the stage, guitar ace Kelly, who came in as a special guest along with Choko and Pompom, were seen reconnecting with the audience in Guwahati after a hiatus of a good 15 years. They went up as “Project –Untitled – Crystal Palace Band Reunion of Sorts – Maybe?” Kelly was seen in Assam’s music scene off and on, with musicians like KK. But for proper rock, this was the event. Same goes for Chandan Chakraborty (Choko), a veteran at managing a hundred keys on stage. “To tell you frankly , it s a great feeling to be back on stage with fellow rockers Kelly and Rakesh and I somehow don’t want to stop,” stated Choko soon after the concert ended. The trio took it away with Jeff Beck’s Cause We Ended as Lovers, Keb Mo’s More Than One Way Home with Suman Dutta on vocals and Toto’s Goodbye Girl. On a personal note, it transported me back to the District Library auditorium (favourite gig pad of yesteryears). It was also a pleasure to listen to Keb Mo’s music, which is a purely post-modern expression of the artistic and cultural journey that has transformed the blues, and his own point of view, over time. Similarly, Kelly’s distinctive guitar sound embraces multiple eras and genres, including rock, folk and jazz, in which he is well-versed. On asking Kelly how he felt about playing with his old band members, this is what he had to share: “Oh yes, it’s a great feeling to be together after ages. Although I am regularly playing in others parts of the country and work in Mumbai, getting back to play with old buddies is a different kick altogether.” He added with a lot of excitement, “We were still busy catching up with one another, the salt and pepper image, the accumulation around the waist… and the music part actually came in as a bonus! We hardly got time to rehearse but then that’s what friends are for!!! I only wish the music scene here gets more organised and professional”, Kelly signed out.

Later, Suman, along with Joshua and Mrinmoyee completing the line up of Moonwind, ended the concert with Rabiul joining in as well with the Beatles number Help. But then again, there’s little doubt that the concert was exactly what fans were expecting it to be, and I am sure they all had a wonderful time playing together.

Sattyakee D’com Bhuyan