Music banned in Mumbai ?

Rock n' roll lovers of the city have been having their yearly programme of this genre of music at the Independance Rock festival held every year in mid-August. It was traditionally held at Rang Bhavan, but soon protests from various quarters led to its being banned from there.

This is a platform where young boys and girls can show their talents in this form of music. And they are not bad, I would say. But getting a platform and an audience are what matters. Some dislike this form of music as its generally associated with sex and violence. But thats for the uninitiated. I need (will) not explain.

Recently it was supposed to have been held at the Gateway of India. At the last minute it was called off. Permission had not been granted.

Now what I want to stress is that just some time back Zakir Hussain , Sivamani and their Shakti ensenble had performed at that very place - costly tickets and all. So why differentiate. old ZH has lots of clout, perhaps. Maybe he can put in a word for this other art form too....

A young MP from south Bombay was supposed to have been disappointed at the cancellation. He is supposed to be a fan of this type of music too. Sadly, even his word didnt carry any weight in this matter.