The air is always different when it’s Fossils on stage. And, there was quite a storm at Nicco Park Big Lawn when the stage hosted Fossils Mohajhor, with My Kolkata as the digital partner. Twenty-five years on, the craze surrounding Fossils remains the same. As Rupam, in signature all-black, capered on to the stage with Allan Temjen Ao and Deep Ghosh unleashing their fingers on the guitars’ fretboards, Prasenjit ‘Pom’ Chakraborty cooking the groove with the bass, and Tonmoy Das holding the train from behind the drum set, the crowd went ballisticWith thousands yelling Joy Rock at the top of their voices with the dusk settling in, the venue was the loudest spot in the city. My Kolkata was there to witness the magic unfold.
All photographs by Sannidh Raychaudhuri
Something that has become an intrinsic part of Fossils concerts these days is the visual element that enhances every song. Behind the impressive visual experience, graphic work and intricate detailing is visual jockey Arindam Sen. Completing a decade with the band, Arindam is also behind the visual that plays along with the Fossils Mohajhor theme song. Arindam’s work was rife with vivid imagery through the stretch of the performance and made sure people went back with a deep imprint of the words that weave the songs together
Performing on November 26, Rupam, who has never shied away from making relevant socio-political statements on stage, paid respect to the victims of 26/11 and extended heartfelt support to the people of Gaza and remembered the countless innocent lives lost with songs and poignant verses like that of ‘Abhinoy’, pointing a finger at the masked and duplicitous men of power whose decisions wreak havoc on common people
The Nicco Park Big Lawn had people thronging the stalls to grab a quick sip or bite in the midst of the Fossils madness. Amid the bites and sips, the crowd made sure the energy levels remained consistent on the floor with people headbanging, singing arm in arm and crooning along with the saint-like figure of Rupam with his leg perched on an amp
