"Please, here's our business card," Tanmay, the lead guitarist, is leaving a strong impression at the hotel they were staying at, "that's the name of the band, 'Something Relevant' ". They're a local jam band from Bombay.
We were just arriving from the 3-hour drive from Bombay. Divya's cousin had invited us on a road trip to watch the band play at an Indian MTV Rockathon event. It took us an hour to leave Bombay from the outskirts, but the highway from there to Pune was very smooth. Tall mountains, mostly arid landscape, but at no times would there be a patch of land without people. This countryside was entirely rural & mildly popualted.
When we reached the city limits, the main task was to find directions to the hotel to meet the band. Since Something Relevant is not from here, we had to find our own way without directions. Not a problem. India is one definite place where you will always have someone you can ask nearby.
After lunch with the band, there's mention of being tight on time. The sound engineer seemed to find that an understatement: we see him outside the restaurant in his car, nearly climbing out of the window yelling, "Fellows, we need to make motion. We have to be there in 20 minutes!"
What followed was The Italian Job, Indian style.
4 Maruti Suzukis, none knowing the way, each trying to keep up with the next through the streets of this town at extraordinary speeds. People, motorcycles, cars, trucks, animals, all were obstacles and challenges. We had 4 eyes keeping track of the car in front "Left, left, they turned left!" and another 4 on the car behind us. Fairly constantly Tanmay would call the leader, calmly ask "Was it a right at the signal? Got it, thanks."
All cars make it, with 2 minutes to spare. We go backstage and watch most of the concert from there, with people hustling and relaxing, security loose, and everyone enjoying the hot night.
The crowd responded to Something Relevant the loudest.
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