Live street gig for Mumbaikars: A reason to celebrate Mumbai

Several musicians will perform at Kala Ghoda’s Rampart Row, which has recently been given an arty facelift.

If you have always admired the idea of street gigs, you have reason to rejoice. Now, you can experience something similar in Mumbai. Happydemic, an initiative to provide up-and-coming singers a platform to perform, is hosting several live gigs on Rampart Row (also known as Kaikashru Dubash Marg) in Kala Ghoda on Sunday. Rampart Row is being converted into an art street, as part of an initiative undertaken by Aaditya Thackeray in collaboration with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM).

The founder of Happydemic, Radhika Mukherjee, who is also married to playback singer Shaan, says, “Aaditya invited us to perform on Rampart Row and we are more than happy to provide Mumbaikars free live entertainment,” adding, “Aaditya has taken up this initiative so that Mumbaikars can come and enjoy live music. People will see many artistes on the street. Several art installations have also been placed on the street.”

Happydemic artistes performing at a gig.

Manisha Chakravarty, one of the artistes who is going to perform at the gig on Sunday.

Busking is a very common practice in the west, but in India, roadside performances are looked down upon. Radhika, who believes people in India don’t appreciate the dignity of labour, says, “An artiste is an artiste, whether he or she is performing on the streets, in someone’s house or on a stage. Their talent is not going to change.”