Let the battle begin…

Manpriya Singh

We could, with just as many initiatives, propagate anti-drugs policies. Through as many platforms as possible—music, art, cinema. Bring it on. The more the merrier! Joining in to the latest list of Say No To Drugs endeavours is Taabir—Battle of Bands, an initiative promoting music, dance, art and talent. 

In association with Pink Letter Box and venue partner Peddlers, the event is a musical fight of sorts, but against drugs. 

Joining in is Nakulogic (the music director of Navv Inder’s Att Tera Yaar fame), who further explains the concept. “You can call it a music festival with a difference or a music competition or even a platform for young and fledgling bands to showcase their talent, but what does not change is our noble intention which is to drive home the message of no drugs,” he shares a little after the announcement of the event. 

As for Taabir, it is the Urdu expression meaning interpretation of dreams. He adds, “We will be auditioning and judging the bands based on certain parameters and they are most welcome to come and be a part of the show.” 

Have you auditioned yet? 

Thereby they are calling all the bands, who have ever made music to do with anti-drugs. For a successful career in music, there is no denying that it takes flair for music and mastery of seven notes. But for a successful career in showbiz, it takes a little more than that. “I will be judging the aspiring musicians on the parameters of sur, taal and the X factor,” he is earnest enough to admit how crucial it is to perform and hold the audience at one place. 

From Nakul to Nakulogic 

Brought up in the city and a product of St. Stephen’s School, the interest for music always ran since childhood. “I trained in classical music in school, but it was only later in 2010, I went to England to study audio production from SAE Liverpool.” 

As for the current list of songs we associate him with, most of them happen to be with his favourite singer Navv Inder’s Tu Meri Ki Lagdi to Yaar Bolda. As for the name, he laughs, “Oh my name is Nakul Jolly and I work on the software Logic so the stage name is a combination of both.” 

Ironically speaking 

Co-incidentally, there’s no dearth of songs to do with daaru, peg or alcohol in Punjabi music industry and there is no denying their popularity either. He opines, “Yes, so we need to encourage more and more young musicians to make songs with a message.” Personally speaking, “My team and I always try to avoid making music that does not have a message. So far, we haven’t made any song celebrating or glamorising alcohol.”  

[email protected]

Auditions to happen on January 19, 10 am onwards at Peddlers—35

The finale will be on January 21 at Panjab University, 5 pm onwards