Ahead of this coming Sunday's concert in Mumbai (February 18th), the Indian media has been abuzz with talk of Roger Waters.
There's been a couple of interesting interviews with him, and even a
rundown of what food Roger and the band will be served during their
visit!
The first of the interviews was in the Times Of India
(shown left) and has Roger talking enthusiastically about his upcoming
show in Mumbai. "The audience knows the songs so well. When we start
playing a song it's like they're embracing an old friend."
He expresses his interest in getting more acquainted with the
country and its culture: "No, I'm kind of culturally inept, I'm ashamed
to say. I'd occasionally go watch a movie and think 'Wow, that was kind
of special!' I loved Baabul – how do you pronounce it? I think it's
very humane.
I've never been to Mumbai so my response would be a bit sketchy.
It's on the West Coast and they bombed some trains there some months
ago. I assume those bombs were about radical elements.
Mumbai can provide us with a pattern of cosmopolitanism that the
world can follow. Surely the way the human race can progress is through
multiculturalism where people aren't so divided along national or
religious boundaries."
On the suggestion of Pink Floyd reuniting, he said: "I'd do more
gigs in a heartbeat. I thought Live 8 (the concert) was very moving.
The four of us together on stage again was moving. There was an
enormous sense of relief among the audience."
Roger also did an interview for the DNA Network in India.
Again he praises the Indian people: "The last time, Bangalore was
amazing. And I’m looking forward to Mumbai. Indian audiences know my
songs and that’s a great feeling,” he says citing a gig in Mexico as
his most memorable.
“I was about to begin my song ‘Flickering Flame’ and the entire
audience of 30,000 flickered their lighters together for 30 seconds. It
was something else,” he enthuses.
Talking of his work, the article mentions that "Waters is very vocal
about socio-political issues. He believes that music should convey
social messages. His creativity also stems from novelist Cormac
McCarthy. “McCarthy’s new novel ‘The Road’ is beyond moving. When I get
to the end of something like that, I feel something inside me open like
a flower,” he says.
His message for the Indian fans: “Ha ha...I am not a good salesman.
I think it’s a good show and they should come. I have fiddled with some
stuff that’s already there and I hope they enjoy it.”
Finally, for those who want to know what Roger and the band will be tucking into for their evening meals, DNA Networks have again come to the rescue.
The chef of hotel Taj Lands End has worked out some special menus.
“On the three nights Roger Waters is staying with us I am going to have
three different themes,” says Chef Jitendra Kumar.
DNA reports that the first night sees the room based on the band’s
name itself — everything’s going to be pink. “I am getting pink
chocolates in the shape of CDs done; I’ve imported all kinds of berries
that are pink or close so they can be used in the fruit sushi that I am
making; also to drop in a little cocktail that I am whipping up,” says
a very excited Chef.
Strangely enough, night two is themed around ‘Momentary Lapse of
Reason’, the first album his ex-colleagues recorded after Roger's
departure (maybe the chef should rethink this one!). “I interpret this song as something to do with a little
alcohol,” says Jitendra, “I am going to lay out Felchlin and Belcolade;
and I am going to get some bitter chocolate stuffed with some Jack
Daniels.”
And the last night, the night of Roger's performance, will echo the
chef’s favourite song — ‘Flickering Flame’. “I am not going to let him
go without a taste of India. So the room’s going to be full of diyas
and I am going to give him a little sandesh, modak, anjeer ka halwa,
flambed blueberry kheer. And I’ve flown down a chef from Jodhpur to
make us some black sesame katli!” says Jitendra.
Read the full culinary details here.
|