It was around six in the evening, and the sun just began to set in Kolkata. The Crowd was steadily gathering amidst the white and circular columns of the Prinsep Ghat Memorial. I could hear a tune being played on a guitar complimented by the beats from a wooden box. The sounds began to amplify and define themselves as I moved closer and closer. I joined the cheering crowd to see a street band perform. It was a group of 8-9 guys, some sitting on the ground with their instruments while the others standing with their guitars strapped to their shoulders. They call themselves "Evolution de Music." Their faces were covered in bright colours like most of them in the crowd. It was Holi that day.
I was enjoying the music but was expecting them to seek monetary gain after their performance, and that is where I was wrong. They were doing it not for money but just to bring a smile on people's face. They were performing for the love of music above everything else. It was my first encounter with the Bengali music, and it was more than what I thought it was. I never understood what they sang but "Akhon Onek Raat" is one song that is still stuck in my head. They were folk singers, guitarists, percussionists and musicians above all. I could sense the purity in their intention to spread joy. Passing the cigarettes around as they were performing, it lasted for about two hours but I wish I could hear more of it.
