27th March 2008, G.P.W., Faridabad

MFM REACHES FARIDABAD

The first jam-cum-show in Faridabad

The good old MFM jam gets amplified on its very first outing at the Government Polytechnic College for Women(G.P.W.), Sector-8, Faridabad on 27^th March, 2008.

The Jam Crew(JUNOONIS):

1. Nidhi(vocals) 2. Jyotsna(vocals) 3. Gaurav Anand(Guitar)

4. Suraj Bhaiya(vocals, guitar &drums) 5. Sulabh(vocals, guitar & drums) 6. Gaurav Garg aka G.G.(Manager/Organiser)
7. Vikas(Organiser, Supporter) 8. Gaurav Yadav(Organiser, supporter) 9.Poonam Didi(Chief Organiser, Lecturer in G.P.W.)

The decision to organize this amplified jam was tough keeping in mind our naivety and most importantly the barrier that occurs in shows between the crowd and the performers (junoonis). After all a jam isn’t a show it’s a common platform for one an all.

But, with ample support from Poonam Didi, who is a lecturer in G.P.W. as well as a huge supporter of the movement and the passion and motivation of a junooni we went ahead with the idea. This show would enabled us to raise our voices to a notch higher and to interact with a large crowd. So we practiced hard got all geared up for the jam-cum-show. This part sounds boring I know so let me take you to some action sequences.

The G.P.W. authorities were very supportive of the concept and really looking forward to the first of its kind jam show in their college. They were very kind to hand over all their sound equipment to us and they even provided electricity backup as well as tents over the stage.

With such support in form of motivation from all corners it seemed the junoon of the junoonis got a further boost and we went ahead with a great vigour. I could feel the fire inside us all that day, all ready to share their voices with many others.

Now lets discuss the jam show step by step:

1. Poonam Didi introduced us to Sandeep Sir who gave us access to the sound tools and helped us dil se with the sound setup.
2. The tents and the electricity setup were perfect thanks to the college authorities.
3. Suraj bhaiya, Nidhi and I installed the sound system as well as the instruments and did the sound check as well.
4. I could feel strong vibes during the sound check as the students in the college seemed very excited listening to music.
5. we started the show with Saraswati Vandana thanking the Almighty for giving us a chance to share our voices with so many people at our very first chance.
6. Poonam Didi then greeted the crowd briefly and then handed over the centre-stage to us.
7. Suraj bhaiya took the mic and introduced the concept of MFM as well as the performers. He spoke and he didn’t seem to stop ha ha ha. Well that was nice on part of a junooni he was just sharing his sincere thoughts. But a junooni speaks the language of music which has no religion or caste or creed. So we started off as the crowd seemed pretty comfortable and receptive to the idea of MFM and the reason we were there.
8. We belted out our first song “Kholo Kholo” and it did open up a many hearts. A great song that motivates and celebrates hope. The crowd was very involved.
9. Hats off to the support staff comprising our friends G.G., Vikas, Gaurav Yadav, Kirtika who had assumed the role of cheerleaders keeping the crowd involved. But we were really inconsiderate not to introduce them to the crowd when the show commenced. These guys stand firmly for the movement here in Faridabad and it was their efforts that made things so easy for the performers. The junoonis don’t feel bad for something like that but we will ensure introduction of all members including the support cast not because we are showstoppers but for the crowd to be familiar with the support staff as they are the ones who really interact with the crowd while we are singing. They cheered the crowd and even collected valuable feedback. A great role handled responsibly by the organizers.
10. Then we sang a song written by Suraj Bhaiya titled “Give Peace a Chance” and composed by me and a little friend Gautam who is a guitar genius aged just 15. The song reflects the pain of wars and sheds light on living in the moment. There is a rush of energy inside me when I sing this song that and I remember how naturally it came to me when I was composing it. I could clearly visualize the theme and saw that every individual needs to be at peace to bring about world peace. I wish we all were satisfied with what we have and enjoy the little things in thihs beautiful life gifted by God.
11. Next song “Badal Pe Paon Hain” another inspirational number from a great movie “Chak de”. The college girls loved the song which is about dreams and will power
12. Then came another heartfelt song that brings out the child inside me looking for the heavenly touch of his mother. “Maa”, a tribute to not only the mother who bred us but to Mother Nature and Mother India.
13. “Rockin’ In the Free World”, a gem of a song and we made sure we explained every word of the song as it says what needs to be heard all over the globe.
14. Suraj bhaiya and I struck a common chord when we were practicing and we came up with a beautiful composition in which we recite “Hare Rama, Hare Krishna” and sing for the Almighty while strumming on our guitars. The power of music creates a bond unknowingly almost magically, the bond we felt while we play together. It’s beautiful and I thanks heavens for this gift.
15. It was time then to celebrate friendship with “Dosti”. Friendship that made it all possible, friendship that we can cherish all our life, friendship that can bring down the divides in our society, friendship that celebrates freedom and hope.

Finally we received blessings and wishes from the Director of G.P.W. and he wanted us to perform again and promote the noble cause. We promised them another jam soon. And yes you guessed it right Suraj bhaiya spoke again and he didn’t seem to stop again ha ha ha.

Time for a few photographs

That's Gaurav Anand

Left to right: Sulabh(myself), Nidhi, Jyotsna

Music For Meaning Graffiti(raw, wild and free)

Hamare pyare Poonam Didi

Vella Party(The support Cast)

The MFM Banner

Time to bid farewell L to R:Jyotsna, Nidhi, Sulabh, Suraj Bhaiya(he spoke and he didn't seem to stop), The director sir, G.G., Gaurav Anand

Suraj bhaiya drums bhi bajate hain, Japjeet applying his expertise on the drum kit(ab drums ki khair nahi), Jyotsna letting Suraj bhaiya wail in the mic

Left corner mein black kurte wala hai hamara bacha Vikas, cheering up the all girl's crowd

That's Ishani, a student there spoke heartfelt words for MFM

Keep on rocking in the free world

Sulabh