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No Freedom for Independent Music in Delhi.

Sounds of Freedom Cancelled due to Uncooperative Police

Concert to Happen without Audience

Payel Majumdar

Sounds of Freedom, a one-day musical festival organised by Teamwork to be held at NSIC Grounds, Okhla on March 23, has been denied permission with less than a few hours before the event’s schedule.

Sounds of Freedom, a one-day music festival that got musicians together from all around the world has got cancelled because the police has cancelled the permission to conduct the event due to security reasons.  The news comes as a surprise, for the event had been announced two months previously, giving ample time to the security to scope out any potential trouble whatsoever. Big international names like punk rock star Bob Geldof, Egyptian rappers Arabian Knightz, as well as top notch Indian artists such as Kailash Kher, Soulmate, Avial and Indian Ocean were scheduled to perform for the festival which was to take place today afternoon.

The event, which had initially been announced on February 23 had not taken place on that date because the police was concerned about the security at the venue, as the date clashed with a political rally in town. The organisers as well as artists are shocked at this sudden blow, and have organised a press conference and a show without audience at a private venue. The organisers released a statement saying the conference and following show would be “…as a mark of protest against our fundamental right of expression. The concert permission cancelled at the nth hour, because it was not convenient for the police to guarantee the safety of those attending.”

Delhi-NCR has a history of concerts getting cancelled in the past as well, with big acts like Metallica and Bryan Adams getting cancelled in the past after tickets being sold and the event being organised. This is a big blow to the artists who were performing for Sounds of Freedom as well, who were looking forward to perform together on one stage. Hip hop troupe Arabian Knightz, whose songs became anthems during the Arab Spring Revolution of Egypt mentioned how they were looking forward to performing in India. Saurav Moni, Bhatiali singer known for his finesse and deep knowledge of the ancient folk heritage, told us yesterday how he was looking forward to the audience especially, since such a mix of music was rarely to be seen on one stage.

The concert revolved around the theme of Freedom, and post the event being cancelled, Sanjoy Roy Managing Director of Teamwork reacting to the administration’s refusal to allow the concert to take place said, “This concert was to reaffirm the importance of imagination, creativity and emotion in sustaining and enriching conversations around democracy and the right to freedom of expression. Kailash Kher had composed an anthem to this freedom, called ‘Dekho mein chal pada’. In response to which, the government have literally told us to take a walk!”

All the fifteen bands who were performing had a deep rooted connection with folk music, and coming from diverse cultures, and with multi-layered stories in their music, were sharing a stage for the first time. It is indeed disappointing to see the event getting cancelled for it was an opportunity for the lovers of music to enjoy different genres at one platform, and Delhi will miss the opportunity of hearing acts never before seen in the city.

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