Interview from Indian press, February 18th 2007. Kindly supplied by Neelabh Bisen.

The Piper at the gates of Mumbai

By IE -Sunday February 18, 02:13 AM

Roger Waters on his Broadway production of The Wall, the movie version of which he disliked,  politics, individual choices and the need for a better society.

Former Pink Floyd-ian Roger Waters brings on the heavy stuff on the eve of his concert in Mumbai, at the MMRDA Grounds. The concert, part of the Dark Side of the Moon tour, is Waters' second in India, but a first in the city, having performed in Bangalore in 2002. "On my first trip here I found the audience very knowledgeable, attentive and enthusiastic. It was unlike my other rock n' roll gigs because I was on a bamboo stage that I thought would collapse any moment," smiles the 64-year-old artist and founding member of Pink Floyd, (along with Syd Barrett, Nick Mason and Richard Wright.)

After Barrett's deteriorating health, Waters took charge and became the primary lyricist of the band, which now included David Gilmour. He is also the creative genius for concept albums such as The Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here. "I remember taking home a stereo mix of The Dark Side of the Moon to my wife Julie and on hearing it she was in tears. I thought that must be a good sign," Waters recalls.

After a hugely successful career spanning two decades, what about inspirations? "I'm afraid I will never have an answer to that one. From time to time I get a feeling that can only be described as pregnant and there is something I have to urgently express. I then sit with a pencil and my piano and let it flow," says Waters, most of whose lyrics skew towards the political.

"Penning lyrics today, the motivation for me is political. Since my tour in 2006, I do this song Leaving Beirut, which is a direct attack on George Bush and Christian extremists for their maligning influence on America, which is just about the only imperial force in the world," says the musician who only rejoined Pink Floyd at the Live 8 concert in London, in 2005.

"If these are the things that concern me, then this is damn well what I will write about. I was also outraged at the bombing of Iraq," he adds.

Apart from pursuing a solo career as a musician, Waters is busy with a musical production of the Floyd album, The Wall. "I was quite disappointed with the movie and the Broadway production has been a long dream. I intend on bringing in a few laughs, which is something I regret not including in either the album or the movie," says Waters.