• Dinesh Ghate ‘Jain’ | dinesh@swaraalap.com

Greetings for the day

It was a wonderful experience being part of ‘94th Marathi Sahitya Sammelan’ recently held at Bhujbal knowledge city, Nasik. Apart from executing a farewell Musical evening with some renowned Marathi traditional artistes like Mrunmayi Deshpande, Purvi Bhave, Adarsh Shinde, Nandesh Umap, Avdhut Gupte, etc for me, it was an opportunity to understand the taste of different generations. I was amazed to see even today for the legends like Kusumagraj, PL Deshpande, and Vasantrao Deshpande there is a huge fan following. Hats off to the organizers for creating a platform to execute such types of programs.

Being in the music fraternity the past one month has been such a stress-buster time that I had spent performing in various live music events post covid19 lockdown. I must appreciate that the excitement of people is increasing day by day despite the unwanted situation of the omicron variant. I believe it is a good sign of motivation to have a positive approach towards life.

‘Papa Kahete hain bada naam karega’ song (Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak – Anand Milind) starts with Amir Khan, holding a cut-away Electric guitar.  His friends are playing Saxophone, Trumpet.  A couple of ladies are playing Kabash. Everyone, right from College Principal to college students in the audience & we watching the movie song, are foot-tapping to the rhythm of Drum. This drum playing is off-screen but still, we all are so involved with it. The man who can make your foot tap at your seat itself is the most renowned drum player Franco Vaz.

Swar Aalap feels privileged to do this month’s cover story on celebrated, ace drummer Franco Vaz. Son of yesteryear percussionist and drummer Francis Vaz. Franco initiated his career as a musician by playing the Violin and later moved on to play the Drums, making it his own in many Hindi film songs from the mid-1970s.

Swar Aalap’s association with Franco Vaz dates back to the year 2003 when he graced the felicitation function of his father-in-law Leslie Godinho, a champion drummer in Bollywood’s golden era. In another instance underlining his admiration and support, Franco had audiences enthralled by his energetic Drums at the felicitation show of percussionists and multi-faceted instrumentalists Homi Mullan and Ranjit Gazmer in 2007 as well.

It is only appropriate that Team Swar Aalap reciprocates the love and affection through this month’s cover story. We remain, in gratitude.

Click the button & enjoy some of my favorites now of course with the beats by Franco Vaz:

Kasme wade nibhaayenge hum – Kasme Waade’ 1978 | Aa dekhen zara – Rocky’ 1980 | Tum saath ho jab apne – Kaalia’ 1981 | Puchho na yaar kya hua – Zamane ko dikhana hai’ 1981

Tujhsa haseen dekha na kahin – Harjaai’ 1981 | O Maria o Maria – Sagar’ 1985 | Chhodo Sanam kaahe ka ghum – Kudrat’ 1981 | Dil ki baat kahin lab pe na – Teri Kasam’ 1982