Striking the right chord!

There have been scores of music shows that have bombarded our TV screens since times immemorial. While most have been reality shows where contestants come and showcase their talents, some have been about finding that perfect rock music band. Travel-based music shows have been far and few in between and MTV’s Sound Trippin definitely hits the right notes. Host Sneha Khanwalkar who has scored the music for Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye, Love, Sex Aur Dhoka and now Gangs of Wasseypur couldn’t be a better fit as she explores the lesser-known India, backpack and recorder in tow, in relentless pursuit of authentic sound.

The show that travels through the Indian landscape sees Sneha take on local challenges as she concentrates on a particular location or a community to get the authentic local sound. Unlike any other music show, host Sneha does a fabulous job of doing everything on her own. The shoots, crisp edits, refreshingly new visuals take this show to a new level altogether. The production quality of top notch needs a special mention here. Sneha takes on the lesser known routes as she explores smaller communities that urban dwellers hardly know of. All the songs have the essence of the place intact and the singers are all lesser known and extremely fresh.

The location for the first episode was Punjab’s Kila Raipur where the 76th Rural Olympics — a three-day rural sports festival that has grown over seven decades is held. That is where she meets Jyoti and Sultana, the talented sister duo who worked with her in Oye Lucky Lucky Oye. The second episode sees Sneha travel to Benaras where she incorporates the oft-used sounds of bells and aartis on the banks of the river Ganga with Bhoomi and Mithu, Ganeshji — the man with the world’s largest tabla and the melodious voices of the Lal brothers. The third episode sees her travel through Yellapur, the Kannada land of the African tribe known as Siddhis, as she comes up with Yere Yere.

The best part about her songs is the connect with listeners. Her songs are already a big hit with youngsters wanting to listen to it on the loop, again and again. Since music binds people of all age group and since the show has no adult content, it is definitely a family bonder.