Reported By:
| Edited By: Aveek Bhowmik |Source: |Updated: Nov 19, 2013, 11:17 PM IST
In an effort to be known as Asia’s best, 42 bands, solo artistes and songwriters battle it out in a reality TV show in Singapore; thirteen Indian acts are part of the event
Thirteen Indian acts converged in Singapore recently to participate in the Sutasi Song Contest and Talent Search – a reality TV show to track down Asia’s finest bands, solo artistes and songwriters. The Indian acts were part of 42 artistes chosen from a regional playoff within South-East Asia, North-East Asia and South Asia. Out of these, 12 finalists will be decided via public votes when the event is broadcast in 2009 across Asia. The triumphant artistes will represent Asia in the grand finale to be held in the US in early 2009 and take on the best in the world.
For Bengaluru-based fusion band Swarathma playing at Sutasi was a success in itself because they were able to share the stage with artistes from all over Asia and ‘work with a crew that’s the best in the business’.
“If we get a chance to play in the finals, we would give it our best shot. If not, the memories and friends we’ve made here in this round will last us a lifetime,” says Jishnu Das Gupta (bass guitar and backing vocalist).
Even for Kolkata-based rock band Cassini’s Division success or failure at Sutasi doesn’t matter as much as participating in it does. “We don’t see losing as a failure but a part of the process of being musicians,” says vocalist and guitarist Rahul Guha Roy.
Launched last year in Bangkok, Sutasi provides an opportunity for talented artists to become international music superstars by launching them on a worldwide stage. The winners win a record deal (among other things like global marketing programmes to promote their music) and a chance to work with the finest from the music fraternity.
Jalebee Cartel, the electronic dance music act from New Delhi, is very optimistic about their chances. “We haven’t seen failure yet,” says Arjun Gopal (bass/synth-lines).
Most of the contestants even feel that Sutasi is different and larger from other music talent shows.
Rahul says, “Unlike other talent shows, here the focus is not on eliminating contenders by exposing their weaknesses, but by bringing the strength of Asian talent to the people watching the show.”
Even Swarathma and Delhi-based Indigo Children (formerly Superfuzz) echo Rahul’s words.
“Sutasi is a celebration of musical cultures of Asia. There is no competitive spirit, just a bonhomie that transcends cultural barriers. It’s this spirit that has led to spontaneous jams between musicians of different countries and the wonderful friendships that have been forged here,” says Jishnu.
Indigo Children’s Sahil Mendiratta says, “Sutasi is not just about competition but also about introducing Asian talent to the world at large. His partner Sanchal Malhar adds, “We’re just happy to have seen bands like Buiret and Infinity of Sound (IS) from Korea.”
Sutasi has been conceptualised by Asia Sounds Pty. Ltd., a global music publishing, talent management, television production and event broadcasting company. President of Asia Sounds, Colleen Zulian, is convinced that the world is ready to embrace Asian music.
The search has already begun. All that the artistes need to do now is to strike a balance by retaining their regional sounds and still present them in a contemporary manner to achieve worldwide success.
