BENGALURU: Trilochan Singh, commonly known as Tochi Raina, is back in the city for the second time in his career. The tour ‘Sufi Acoustica’, will be featuring the ‘Band of Bandagi’ and Tochi Raina, for the first time in the city.Starting his training since childhood with the help of his grandfather, Sant Akali Kaur Singh, a sufi singer, Tochi was another member of a long line Sufi musicians in his family. Through the guru shishya tradition, Tochi learnt patiyala gharana, sham chaurasi and several other kinds of hindustani classical music.
Although he used to travel to Mumbai to learn music from Ustad Bade Ali Khan Sahab, he moved there in 2003 and launched his first song ‘Bulle Shah’ in 2008. He also started his own band, ‘Band of Bandagi’ in 2010 and has been trying to expand it over the years. “My dream is to make a band of 100 musicians to make a symphony from the Indian Folk,” he says. Furthermore, all the band members are Tochi’s students.Meditation helps Tochi to understand the life better. He started meditating in 1991 and has been practising it for 11 hours a day. His band members meditate for five hours a day. “Meditation makes me intoxicated and this helps me to connect to God,” he says. In addition to this, meditation is the time when he comes up with new ideas.
“There should be dedication and passion towards music along with patience,” Tochi further adds. He feels that in the process of thinking for the future, we have lost our past. He aims to bring the music back that was given to him by his ancestors. Tochi Raina was always dedicated to learn. “I used to walk for 10-15 kilometers to learn and there were days when I have slept on the roads,” he says. He owes everything to his parents and his gurus. There is an element of philosophy in all his works. He is inspired by the works of Baba Bulle Shah, Baba Fareed, Rumi, Kabir and many more. Tochi believes there is lack of patience among youngsters which has resulted in the deterioration in the standard of music.
“I try to bring out the folk and tradition that we are now in the process of losing,” he says. He believes that the present generation are unaware of all the folks we have. When asked for a message for the present generation, he said, “One should know the meaning of life first and should have patience for their passion.” Tochi Raina signs off sayiing, “I love the audience of the city. They have the patience to listen.” He will perform at the Hard Rock Cafe on July 13.