The Kindry - World Music Day

What’s a good sign of a great event? 

Hangover! I don’t mean the alcoholic one but the experiential one. When the attendees continue to talk about it for days. That’s exactly what happened with the amazing evening HARMONY hosted by Kindry. The perfect harmony of music, food and artists. The togetherness of a community that thrives on the consumption of music and storytelling. 

Kindry – a mix of Kind and Factory, a portmanteau word ,

I would contest to be added to the Oxford dictionary is KINDRY.  

“Kindness is intentional, as against the usual idea of 'random acts of kindness” as quoted by Krishan Jagota, the co-host of the evening and one of the minds behind the conception of Kindry.  Started in 2021, Kindry was a way to share kind stories on Instagram live, from across the country in the middle of the worst pandemic. A thought by Richa Chaddha, about her needing to hear and share more kind stories, during the dire times of 2021 pandemic. You can find these lives still saved on Kindry’s Instagram page.  The first story that came out was a mother who gave out her breast milk to newborns who lost their mothers. Sharing such stories, Kindry is now a full blown revolution.  

Cut to 2022, June Krishan Jagota, invites me for a musical night – HARMONY. I was expecting it to be a month away, but it was in 2 days. 

18^th June, Pioneer Hall, located in a quaint lane of Bandra, saw the togetherness of the various artists of the country. Mumbai known to be the playing ground for these artists, is mostly known for its hustle, where the struggle is real. This day, the artists came together to acknowledge one and all. 

Another highlight of the night was the tribal community of Aarey. The food prepared on the spot, by the women of the TRIBAL TADKA of Aarey colony. 

One would expect them to stay behind the scene. But I was in for a surprise. The exceptional duo hosts of the evening invited Tribal Tadka, from Aarey to be celebrated. Instead of forgetting the hands that feed us. We the guests knew who was cooking the grand feast for the night. 

At the beginning of the event they said that the event was a last minute plan and everything was plan in 3 days. From the venue, to the stage design and lighting to the performers, to the food to the guests. But boy did everyone deliver. 

The set work comprised of windows covered with red, blue green gelatin papers (must say that was a smart touch).  This lend the room such a mood. Carpets hanging in the background , and an amazing red light behind the stage, which had smoke coming in between to create a dream like feel. They sure succeeded in transporting the audience to a bonfire night in Jaisalmer.  

My favorite part was when Shrey Gupta (@fingerstyleguitarist) performed a song on his guitar, and asked the audience to guess the song. Not only did the audience guessed it right, but they even chimed in as the perfect choir. The song being Jashn-e-Bahaara, what an apt song for the celebration we were in. Another song was Noor-e-khuda for the lovers in the crowd. I couldn’t stop myself from recording the musical harmony in the air. Not one person was out of rhythm. 

Another musician transported onto a trip abroad, From Croatia to Cuba. We were floating out there. The musician created these gems on his foreign travels. 

In between everyone took a break for dinner, the amazing homely food by Tribal Tadka was just what we needed. Everyone satiating their hunger for food and conversations. I could see how people were engrossed in getting to know each other. Also, How lucky they were to be present here.

Then came time for some improve and and guftagu with the current Miss India Manasa. Something she said stays with me even now, to live lighter and continue participating with life. Made sense that she sat right in the front. 

Followed by more music and dancing to Rajasthani musician Swarop’s songs.  Everyone was overjoyed to see Richa Chaddha perform with her beau Ali Fazal who was there to support her.

The night ended with a Group photo where everyone looks so full of emotions and happiness. It was indeed a night everyone needed to experience given we have been locked in our homes for so long. Experience the stillness in the air through music while being together under one roof. It had been so long that everyone had experienced something like this collectively.  

Being the one for freebies, I for once felt guilty for not having to pay for this blissful event. I hope Kindry keeps hosting such  experiential evenings, and the community keeps growing and growing. So the entire country can experience some kindry.

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- Sejal Purohit

Writer & Director

Mumbai

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