When the chill sets in, Kolkata is all set to party. With festivals and gigs taking place all over town, it was reason enough for the Great Ballroom at JW Marriott Kolkata to play host to one such programme. Techno Therapy presented The Carnival in association with The Telegraph on November 18. The indoor music festival had a star-studded lineup with a mix of artistes, like Kichh, Cmyk, Grey, Kunal Bose, Madboy/Mink, Scotty b2b Rwikraj, Deepesh Sharma, Freddy, Y Do I, Vini Vici and Outlaw. There was also a showcase of Kommal & Ratul Sood’s winter wear collection during Kunal Bose’s set.
“The Carnival was something into which we had put in a lot of hard work to make sure things go well and it did go really well. Carnival is not only about techno music, it’s about different genres of music being played under one roof with food, drinks and activities. I would like to thank my team and everyone who have supported me in this event and many other past events,” said organisers Freddy Liao and Prataap Aditya.
The music
Vikrant Jaiswal, aka Outlaw, was in charge of closing duties. The DJ played a hard psy-trance set where rapid BPM and fluttering melodies kept the audience on their feet. “It was an amazing feeling to share the stage with Vini Vici for the second time in Kolkata. It was a 100 percent blast. Big ups to Freddy and his team for putting in so much of effort and bringing together such a wonderful show,” he said
Israeli act Y Do I was on the lineup. Amos Chalfon played a minimal techno track which had a deep kick and heavy bassline. This was Y Do I’s third visit to Kolkata in a short span and we hope to see more of them in the future. Although David Semo could not make it, Chalfon kept the vibe going
Freddy too was on the lineup. Being the co-organiser and having a lot on his plate, the DJ still managed to pull off a melodic techno set. Freddy built up the vibe as the night progressed and also had a bunch of dancers to go with the flow. “Production, music, DJing ... creating an event like this has always been my passion. I always like to create something out of the box and I want people to enjoy. We need more entertainment like this in the city and I am really happy to see that there are more (shows) coming up. I wish them the best,” said Freddy
Having Madboy/Mink on the lineup was like a breath of fresh air. The duo performed their live nu disco, electro fun set which included Jellyfish and Plastic Elastic. While Imaad Shah played away on his live mixer, guitar and sang back-up vocals, Saba Azad kept the energy alive with her voice as she made her way up and down the stage, interacting with the audience
Techno artiste Deepesh Sharma was on the lineup and played a tight melodic techno set
Home boys Scotty and Rwikraj put the audience in a techno state of mind. The two played a melodic techno set that had the right amount of energy to get the party started. “It was crazy and something the city needed. It felt good to get psy into the city. Although I was exhausted being a part of the Techno Therapy team, it was a successful event in the end,” said Scotty (left)
Best foot forward
If music wasn’t enough the venue had a fashion show by Kommal & Ratul Sood as well. The collection was part of their winter wear where artiste Deepesh Sharma (extreme right) and co-organiser Prataap Aditya (second from left) walked the ramp. “It’s an evening wear collection that we are launching at the show. It’s very glam and it’s like a red carpet collection for the winter season. So this was a great showcase and collaboration where the story comes together well,” said Kommal Sood. The show was choreographed by Pinky Kenworthy
DJ Kunal Bose was the man behind the music during the show with his percussionist Shubho. The two played a tropical, Afro-house set. “I loved being a part of the event and we had a fashion show by Kommal & Ratul Sood, besides a great lineup of DJs. Thanks to the organisers for getting so many big names from the industry and pulling it off brilliantly,” said Kunal
Party people
Dancer Mekhola Bose was present to enjoy Madboy/Mink’s gig
Having more than three people is a party and that is exactly what Preeyam Budhia (extreme right) planned to do with her group
Pictures: Boom Shankar