A little past 4 pm on Sunday evening, those exiting the Metro station on M G Road, were sure to hear a rumbling sound. The reason: The sixth edition of the Community Drumjam, organised jointly by Rangoli Metro Art Centre and Drumjam, Bangalore at Bayalu.
A few passersby who didn’t have the moments to spare were seen keeping pace with the beats as they walked by. Those walking atop the boulevard peered over the railings to take a peek. Trained ears could perhaps pick out the sounds of the djembas, darbukas, tambourines, ashikos, wood blocks and shakers. But most just stood fascinated by the reverberating beats that sounded more like an orchestra at work than the mass playing.
“That’s the whole idea. That the community has a rhythm of its own, and you can see it demonstrated here. There is no chaos, unless instigated by someone from outside,” said Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation’s general manager (finance) U A Vashanth Rao.
Though a monthly affair, the presence of Arthur Hull, the American percussionist, who is the pioneer of community drumming made the jamming more special. Sometimes conducting the drummers with dance-like movements and at other times leading with his cowbell, he even got them to take a break and stretch their fingers. “Raise your hands. Touch the elbow with the back of the tips of your fingers,” he said, setting off peals of laughter as the drummers attempted it.
What followed next was Hull ‘one-minute drum class’. “Loosen your shoulders, lift your hand up high and let it fall into the drum. Don’t hit the drum, or the drum will hit you back,” he said.
“Many people who come here don't know that they can play the drums but I know they can. Over the past six months, more and more of the same people have been coming back (to the event),” said Roberto Narain, head, Drumjam.
And more and more people are being introduced to music. “Don’t you think it’s brilliant,” said Nayaab K, a student who accidentally ran into the drum-jamming session. “I’ve lived in Bangalore all my life, but this is the first time I’ve heard of it.”
Siddiah, who is a waiter at a nearby eatery, on the other hand, is present every month. “The beats make me want to dance,” he shared.
The Community Drumjam at Bayalu, M G Road Boulevard started in June, when singer and actor Vasundhara Das approached BMRCL with the idea.
“It’s been happening in many different countries. Here, complete strangers meet and create something that’s very real,” she said.
The seventh edition and the last for the year will be held on December 15. Participants can carry their own instruments or use ones provided by Drumjam.