Racing Along The Singalong Track in Chennai

But
for
the
listeners
that
evening
was
so
unlike
any
other.
There
were
smiles,
appreciatory
nods
and
occasional
ssssh-ing.

The
music
was
eloquent
and
expressive.
Orchestra
was
in
perfect
sync
with
the
singers
or
the
other
way
round,
if
you
may.
The
experience
was
so
intriguing
for
the
audience
because
there
was
no
real-time
orchestra
but
the
singers
sang
to
karaoke.

Many
of
us
might
have
sung
to
karaoke
within
the
walls
of
our
homes,
to
ourselves
or
to
a
few
friends
or
in
a
small
family
gathering.
But
singing
in
a
full
fledged
stage
programme
using
karaoke
is
quite
novel,
even
quite
eerie.

But
that
is
what
precisely
this
group
‘Geet
Gata
Chal’
led
by
GD
Sharma
does.
And
they
do
it
in
quite
an
exemplary
fashion
too.

Something
that
started
as
a
hobby,
an
experiment
has
now
been
turned
into
a
passionate
pursuit.
It
might
even
have
turned
into
a
hot
ticket
in
many
of
Chennai
evenings.

“We
never
thought
this
will
gain
popularity
or
we
will
able
to
perform
in
so
many
stages.
But
our
endeavour
has
taken
a
happy
turn,”
says
Sharma,
who
is
also
an
avid
rally
enthusiast
and
a
rally
participant
himself
around
the
globe.

Singing
to
karaoke
is
a
delicate
experience
because
of
the
absence
of
the
real-time
orchestra.

“This
is
the
biggest
challenge
of
signing
to
karaoke.
If
you
have
a
real-time
orchestra
then
they
will,
I
mean
the
instrumentalists,
will
adjust
to
your
style
and
pace
of
singing.

“In
Karaoke
singing,
it
is
you
have
to
adjust
to
the
background
score,
as
it
is
automated.
It
is
something
like
getting
in
and
getting
out
of
a
Mumbai
local
train,
you
need
to
adjust
to
the
train’s
pace,
not
the
other
way
around,”
he
says
with
a
chuckle.

But
then
the
curiosity
does
not
end
there.

The
singers
croon
old
Hindi
numbers,
mostly
from
the
60s,
70s.
So,
how
is
it
getting
received
in
Chennai,
a
city
that
prefers
movies
and
songs
in
the
local
language?

Was
it
tough
for
them
to
get
a
stage
to
perform?
Did
they
face
any
resentment?
“Not
really.
Who
does
not
like
music,
isn’t
it?
It
is
all
about
understanding
the
mindset
and
mood
of
the
listeners.

“Yes,
the
movie,
music
market
in
Chennai
is
heavily
localised
but
that
does
not
mean
there
is
no
space
for
other
genres
as
we
have
found
for
ourselves.
We
have
had
a
lot
of
appreciatory
audience,”
says
Sharma,
uncle
to
Suraj
Sharma,
the
lead
cast
in
Ang
Lee-directed
Hollywood
flick
Life
of
Pi.

Perhaps,
there
is
another
reason
for
the
success
of
this
karaoke
band.
They
push
the
audience
ever
so
tenderly
to
the
shores
of
memory
and
nostalgia.

No
better
way
to
reach
there
than
a
singalong
too!