PAVNEESH KAUR CHAWLA
Reggae:
A Gift from Jamaica
A lot of musical styles do not get a chance to travel around
the world, but one form of music which originated from an
island in the Caribbean became huge all around the globe,
Reggae. It is pervasive whether you heed it or not. The
term reggae was inspired by rege-rege, a Jamaican phrase
which means rags or ragged clothes, so the word reggae was
actually used to depict a raggedy style of music. Evolved
from Rocksteady and Ska musical styles, it is a soulful
entertainment in Jamaica which expresses in words the
feelings and emotions of an average person. This delicate
genre is originated from the idea of oneness, giving a feeling
of being together, of being one.
Recognized by its lament like chanting, this musical form
has an emphasis on syncopated beats. It employs a heavy
four-beat rhythm driven by drums, bass guitar, electric
guitar, and the scraper, a corrugated stick that is rubbed by
a plain stick. It features the African nyah-bingi drumming
style and uses Jamaican vernacular which makes it different
from other genres. Talking about Reggae, one cannot
skip mentioning Bob Marley, the international reggae
ambassador. Through his music and his words he has
earned an eternal place in the hearts of the reggae fans.
While in India, the first wave of reggae was blown in by
Apache Indian who amazingly fused Bhangra with reggae
and dance hall music, almost creating a sub-genre of its
own known as Bhangramuffin. In the early years of the
21st century, when Bollywood was considered the only
sophisticated form of entertainment, Reggae Rajahs took the
stage. Reggae Rajahs, known to be the pioneers of Reggae
Music in India, took up the responsibility of promoting and
spreading reggae in an authentic and organic way. Diggy
Dang (Raghav Dang), Mr.Herbalist (Zorawar Shukla), and DJ
MoCity (Mohammed Abood) were the soldiers of the Rajah
army who would bring Reggae to the common college-going
youth. These three Delhi-based musicians met in 2009 at a
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Bob Marley tribute gig in Delhi and the meeting led to the
formation of this first reggae sound system of India.
They also put together Goa Reggae Sunsplash which is
India’s first celebration of reggae sound system culture.
This day-long event curated by Reggae Rajahs is set on the
sun soaked cliffs of North Goa. It features various exciting
international and homegrown artists bringing their own
global flavors to the event. This Reggae trio has inspired
many other artists like Dakta Dub from Hyderabad, Low
Rhyderz from Goa, Bass Foundation from Delhi and India’s
first ska/rocksteady band The Ska Vengers ans more who
are still in front of the microphone.
Both India and Jamaica are rich in culture and have their
distinct ideas of peace and love, and somehow this invisible
comrade-hood can be considered a reason for the successful
entry of reggae in India. Attracting the soul of music lovers,
this music form has become widely popular in the country
at present. The beats, an emotion and the rhythm, a protest,
Reggae is the music which is for one and for all.