Amit Saigal was a pioneer in the Indian rock music scene and the industry owes much to him, says Saurav Kar
Indian rock bands, Parikrama, The Circus, Tanya Nambiar and Undying Inc. jammed together to pay a tribute befitting the memory of the legendary Amit ‘Papa Rock’ Saigal’s on his birth anniversary on June 6. Saigal was a pioneer of India’s rock scene and continues to be relevant to the Indian rock music, even five years after his death.
Nitin Malik, lead vocalist of Parikrama says Saigal changed the rock music scenario in India. He says, “As far as the original music goes, original as in band’s own compositions, Saigal did not change anything rather he literally invented it. Saigal’s contribution is a legacy that he has left behind for every musician and music lover.”
Saurabh Choudhary, guitarist of Parikrama recalled that Rock Street Journal, the rock music magazine by Saigal used to come up with compilations called the Great Indian Rock. He says, “I think it was ‘95 when the magazine came out with the first edition of the compilations. In the later years, it had major concerts over India where different bands played their music and expressed themselves. The event was unparalleled and continues to be so as even now we don’t get to see anything like that.”
Being one of the oldest rock bands in India, Parikrama performed in many concerts together with Papa Rock Saigal, and the band members were privy to his ideas about the Indian Rock scene.
Expressing his views on why Saigal is still relevant to the music industry, Malik shares a beautiful example, “When you think about Alexander Graham Bell you think about his invention, the telephone. Even though now we are using the evolved versions of the original to talk wirelessly and much more, Bell’s contribution is immense. Similarly, in this country, society and industry, Saigal as instrumental in persuading people to write their own songs.”
Another performer, Tanya Nambiar, goes on to add, “Although we never met Saigal personally but he is the reason all of us are here as professional musicians, singers, etc. He was the one who spearheaded the independent music scene in the country.” Saigal was someone who thought way ahead of his time when there was nothing like a rock music scene in the country. He gave Indian rock music, a structure for others to be able to consider music as a full-time profession and gave Indians a chance to look up to home grown bands.
Nambiar further elaborates the position of rock music in India. She says, “It’s evolving constantly. There are bands who have taken the music scene to an international level. This is the reason the world is taking note of the Indian music scene right now.”
This she feels is the reason that there are so many variety of good bands in the country whether you go to the north east, south or north.
Arsh Sharma, guitarist and vocalist, The Circus, which was formed in 2007, says Saigal was an inspiration for him. He says, “Playing at the Great Indian Rock festival was my dream and I used to get every Great Indian Rock compilation and I had subscribed to RSJ. I would go to the GIR concert every year and be blown away. Saigal was the first person who actually pushed the bands to be of a certain quality. He gave them an ambition to be on the stage with big international artists.” It is worth recalling that when Saigal started out there was nothing in India. International bands had not even toured India. There were no festivals or clubs in the country.
Arsh thinks the rock music has come at a point where Indian bands are way better than bands of most Asian countries and it is partially due to what Saigal did.