The journey that will bring Kaluram Bamnia and five more folk musicians from Madhya Pradesh to a Bombay drawing room next week 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. A matter of chant?

A Scale of Two Cities 

Food Friends & Folk Music, which will hold its first series of home-concerts in Mumbai from May 25 – May 27, works like this: the abovementioned group of friends, including Shelley, Star Plus actor Gurpal Singh, Anupama Bose from Phantom Films and a member of www.beatofindia.com, brings indigenous musicians to perform in Mumbai or Delhi. 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, next weekend’s concerts will feature Kaluram Bamnia and his troupe, which 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 Goregaon East and Yari Road, as well as a sound studio in Malad West. 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 8652033022 for a reservation at Goregaon East; 9270368044 for a reservation at Yari Road; and 28881208 /9820123859 for a confirmation at Malad West. Rs 500 per head, including dinner.