Bangalore: Till about a month ago, they were dubbed as ‘bathroom singers’ and friends and relatives often made fun of them. Call it shyness or nervousness. All of them, ranging from school kids to techies from leading software firms, NRIs and doctors, restricted their singing to bathrooms. But a day-long crash-course last month by a techie-turned-singer has transformed all of them into ‘star’ singers and the team is all set to enthrall Bangaloreans this weekend at a concert named ‘Mug to Mike’.
Shedding their inhibitions and coming out of bathrooms, various working professionals will put their talent to test on Sunday at the Yavanika auditorium. Thanks to Sunil Koshy, a techie-turned-singer whose tailor-made workshops have not only induced confidence among bathroom singers but also created a fresh breed of singers in the city. Giving an insight into the talent pool of the concert, Koshy, who recently won the Kannada International Music Award for the best male singer for his audio film, told Bangalore Mirror, “It was just a matter of an opportunity and right platform that all of these singers were waiting for. In fact, many were unaware of their own talent and discovered it only after recording their songs in a studio in a professional way.”
Koshy, who quit his well-paid job to pursue music on a full-time basis for two years, soon realised that there are many talents confined to bathrooms. “They restrict themselves to just their office and family functions. Engrossed in the work, they think that they are too old to nurture their talent. I decided to scout for such talents and put them into the mainstream by providing a platform. The result was ‘From Mug to Mike’ and here are the fresh talents from a school kid to senior citizens who came out of their bathrooms and walked straight into the recording studio and discovered the secrets of professional singing,” Koshy explained.
Manasi, an eighth standard student, was trained in classical music and is capable of singing in 16 languages. Yet, she wanted to explore techniques beyond the traditional form of singing and understand the intricacies of professional singing. Sixty-year-old Gregory, while living at NIMHANS taking care of his ailing wife for the last 25 years, had been waiting for an opportunity to exhibit his talent. “He read about my workshop in Bangalore Mirror and approached me. It was a sheer surprise to me when he showed me the songs he had written. He plans to cut his own album one day. They will also perform at the concert,” says Archana Hallkeri, Koshy’s wife who is also a music trainer.
Dilip Badami, a 63-year-old NRI who returned to India after serving for 25 years in Nigeria, was passionate about music. “He has an amazing baritone voice and was waiting for a right platform. For the past few months, he has been picking up tips on singing and culturing his voice. Aurobindo, a project manager from a leading software major, was singing only at his office functions. He has been an Antakshari champion in college days. He got the cobwebs cleared from his mind about professional singing and has gained confidence. He will also be singing at the concert,” says Koshy.
This apart, there have been singers who have never been trained and took to singing directly from the workshop and today they have emerged as good singers. The show, admission free, will be held at Yavanika auditorium on Sunday at 4 pm. For more details, contact Sunil Koshy on 9845286308.
