The journey that will bring Kaluram Bamnia and five more folk musicians from Madhya Pradesh to a Delhi drawing room this weekend began at the Jaisalmer Desert Festival, when Bollywood lyricist Shelley (he’s worked on movies like Dev D and Acid Factory) struck up a random conversation with a mangniyar singer. Soon after, Shelley heard from the guy again, who called to say that he had hopped onto a bus for Mumbai: “Just introduce me to musicians,” he requested.

Thus was born Food Friends & Folk Music, a super cool initiative conceptualized by a bunch of buddies to promote folk music in Indian metros. This is what we call a matter of chant!

A Scale of Two Cities 

Food Friends & Folk Music, which will hold its first series of home-concerts in Delhi from April 13 – April 15, works like this: the abovementioned group of friends, including Shelley, Star Plus actor Gurpal Singh and a member of www.beatofindia.com, brings indigenous musicians to perform in Delhi or Mumbai. These concerts are usually held at private residences, don’t exceed more than forty guests, and include dinner. Guests are requested to contribute Rs 500 to cover costs and encouraged to mingle with other folk-music enthusiasts. 

Gurpal and his merry band(s) hope to eventually organize such events every month, inviting musicians from all over the country including Punjab, Assam and Kerala. 

The Song & Short of It

As mentioned above, this weekend’s concerts will feature Kaluram Bamnia and his troupe that plays instruments as diverse as the violin, dholak, harmonium, tambur and has recently participated in the Kabir Festival. The performances, which are open to everyone, will be held at homes in Noida and Gurgaon, as well as a community center in Anand Lok near Siri Fort. They will each last for approximately two hours after which dinner will be served. We hear rumours about Hyderabadi biryani cooked up by a delish caterer, although those are yet to be confirmed. But rest assured, carnivores and vegetarians will be well fed.

Want to tune in? Spots are limited, so claim yours now (see numbers below). And remember to thank these nice guys for the music. Mention note!

Getting there: Visit the Facebook page here or call Bhavna at 9818798636 for the Noida concert on April 13; Nihal at 9873810324 for the Anand Lok concert on April 14; Maheep at 9818261919 for the Gurgaon concert on April 15; Rs 500 per head, including dinner.