The gypsy sultanate Czechs in

India, the ever-bustling barrel of ‘world sounds’, is now playing host to artists blessed with a different take on world music.

India, the ever-bustling barrel of ‘world sounds’, is now playing host to artists blessed with a different take on world music. The Capital gave into the charms of one such act last week. Exuding pastoral charisma, the ‘nomads’ from the five-piece Czech Republican gypsy act, Kale, bombarded the city with hymns of love and simplicity. “That’s what binds us together,” said vocalist and tambourine player Denzir Lucka.

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As the bandmates melted in their respective chairs to sample a hearty meal post a heartfelt recital of gypsy songs (as part of their India tour organised by the Embassy of the Czech Republic), we got them talking about leading a life on the move. “Our songs reflect our love for each other, the community we live in and the world around us. Though gypsy defines our genre best, we’re more jazz/folk,” said Lucka with the help of a “translator-manager” who travels with the band.

The feisty five — together since almost two decades — fancies the sitar too. “We’ve heard of Pandit Ravi Shankar through the Beatles,” said Jan Duzda, the rhythm guitarist. “But considering we’re always on a roll, it’s difficult to take to new sounds. But we would love to learn the sitar some day,” he concludes.