It all began like a Bryan Adams song. Subtle, is what I can call it. Just like a humming soft voice, I could feel the vibes. It was the dawn for the most awaited event of the college. The tech fest, which had both tech and non-tech in it, was just a week to go. We had just done with our cycle tests, and it was time to give whatsoever time we could for the most awaited even of the fest – “The War of Bands”. My band had to perform for 15 minutes, include both English and Hindi songs in it. It was an event, where we were to be matched with the best bands in the NCR. No one was allowed to bunk classes. No ODs. We had no choice but to burgle time out of our leisure hours. It was very painful indeed to come back, have tea, and leave again.
Being involved in technical stuff too, I knew, my course through this won’t be a walk in the cake. I had registered myself in the debate, the line follower competition, the terrain testing robotic contest, the Persona-meter, ad-making, the photography contest and many more. My prime concern was that I would not be able to give proper attention to certain contests. I had to skip few contests also because they clashed with some others. I knew I couldn’t keep everyone happy.
Within a schedule, even tighter than Elvis’ pants, I had to stuff in the jamming sessions and the project work, not to forget the daily studies; we had to make sure we delivered our best. I knew, this is going to test my time management. If it is not clear from my writing (or the photo to your right), I am the lead guitarist of my band. Being a guitarist was not what I always wanted. I’ve been playing the keyboard since the 1st grade. For gaining the concepts of scale and chords, I learnt to play guitar. This was the point when I felt the difference. Actually, it’s pretty cool being a guitarist. Nobody notices a pianist as much as the cowboy with the six-strings. Girls love guitarists. As I had gained some expertise in guitar, I decided to go on with it.
I would wake up at 6:30 in the morning. Take up a brainstorming session with my project group. It was intoxicating for some to be up so early, but we had no choice, if we wanted to work together, this was the only choice left. The band guys never woke up this early, so no jamming in the morning, only a little thinking over the project. Then I would attend my classes. Sometimes jam with the lead singers Vishal and Suraj in free hours. After the class, my entire time went to the jamming.
Sometimes I had to miss my dinner. It was good that we had a night canteen at our hostel which remained open till 3 in the morning. I had to have Poodi-Sabzi in the canteen; at least it was better than the mess food. I would try to flash my guitar, whenever girls passed by, but just in vain. Style just isn’t my cup of tea.
I would return from the jamming and start writing out the project report till late night. I don’t yet know what gave me strength. But I, in spite of sleeping a minimal of 4 hours was energetic and kicking all day.
Then one day, the robot, we had been working on, got stolen from my friend’s room. I tried to find out, but just in vain. All our hard work had drifted away like smoke. I at least put up a project by modifying my other robot, a line follower. But unable to get a DPTC switch, we lost in 2 major competitions.
The good part, now I had a lot of time to dedicate to the debate and photography. Also, I could now relax when the band members did, and I no longer had to run for my project, during the jam-break. Maybe God himself knew, if I did them all at one time, I’d screw them all.
The first day of the tech-fest went mostly in the debate. By the end of day1, my band gathered for a jam. It was the most serious jamming of my life. We had to perform the next day, among the best. Hunger and thirst were bothering all of us, but they only pumped us with energy. I could clearly see a feeling of desperation on my band’s face. I was all tired and so were the others, but we became louder as the fatigue came creeping in. We jammed till 11:30 that day.
The next day was the day of good news. As most of the second rounds of competitions were going on, I came to know that I had stood first in the debate and the photography contest. We did our final rehearsal and went up to the stage for sound testing. As I went along with the testing, I saw my rival guitarists, trying to show their talent off. They tried to strum fast and played the leads very fast, though incorrectly sometimes. I told myself to regain my confidence. I thought –“I’m here just to enjoy. All I need to do is just perform and not care about the others.”
The sun set and so was the stage. I think there was not a better way of ending a 2 day long tech fest than a rocking night. As it grew dark, the event commenced. The first performers were simply the best. They performed some of the best English numbers. Their Nirvana fanaticism was loud and clear from their songs. For their Hindi performance, they chose the controversial number - Sutta. But, in spite of being their rivals, we thoroughly enjoyed their performance.
Now it was our turn to perform. I was very tired by that time. I was also very nervous that I’d lose my scale. The Bass guitar tabs of the number ”naagin” were also my concern. That’s why I decided to stay calm and cool and not lose myself in the flow of songs. I kept track of the scale and the chords all the time. Maybe this made me look a bit serious. During my performance, I received this SMS – “ Y R U nt Njoyin’ in UR own Event ?”. How could I possibly enjoy, I was performing in frot of at least 2000 people. Fortunately, it all went fine.
For those who haven’t performed in front of an audience, I must tell you, its a great feeling to see them tap in to your tunes. No feeling can replace the feeling when you see people dancing madly at your numbers and you know they’re having a good time. Well, so are you.
The band set the night on fire. Everyone enjoyed performing.
We stood 3rd. But most of all, we gave a good performance.
Mission Accomplished.
