Episode 2

Shadow Box in Wonderland

You know those times when you are thoroughly captivated in a conversation with someone but only realize at the end of it that not even a single point of your carefully articulated argument was heard? Or maybe you've experienced the other side of the spectrum -- those times when you can hear everyone but yourself although you know you are screaming at the top of your voice. When you're in a band you get a taste of both these feelings at some time or the other. I refer to this as the 'Alice in Wonderland' syndrome and it can be quite nerve-racking. Either you find yourself playing in front of a ghost audience or the audience sounds louder and larger than your music. Once it so happened that we were performing without monitors (monitors are an essential group of speakers that allow the musicians to hear what they are playing behind the main speakers). What would you do if you were made blind to your frame of reference? For example, if you were a painter who could see everything but what you were painting or if you were a dancer who could listen to everything but the music that you were dancing to -- what would you do? Take a minute to think about this and in the mean time I'm going to take a trip down memory lane -- to those days of kindergarten tests, piano lessons and swimming classes.

For example, if you were a painter who could see everything but what you were painting or if you were a dancer who could listen to everything but the music that you were dancing to -- what would you do? Take a minute to think about this and in the mean time I'm going to take a trip down memory lane -- to those days of kindergarten tests, piano lessons and swimming classes.

Mother: Anuj, what is that one thing your English teacher, Piano teacher and coach always tell you?
Anuj: To study and practice until I can do it in my sleep.
Mother: Well -- can you do it in your sleep?
Anuj: But Mom, I would never need to do anything in my sleep!

Well, I guess I was way off on that one.

Earth to Anuj, Earth to Anuj -- you are now required to play your music in your sleep! Can you do it? Or are you just one of those kids who played Nintendo all day instead of practicing? We ended up performing our entire set without hearing much of what we were playing, an experience I will never forget. Sort of like a judgment day in music -- the only problem was that it happened rather early in our careers. Result? A standing ovation. For what? I have no idea -- I didn't hear it!

Taken from a larger article, "Dreams".

- Anuj