After dropping my team in Vijayawada, I left for Chennai. Chennai is the emblem of South Indian Culture. For an outsider, a North Indian, much less aware of the South, a mental image of Chennai was like a blend of luscious delicacies, embellished jewellery and sarees, exquisite beaches and rich cultural heritage.
Even with all of it in its basket to offer, unfortunately, Chennai was an awful experience for me. I didn’t get any established place to perform. As a result, I jammed on streets and roadside. I had musical sessions at any location that I found suitable or any place that attracted me; it was more of a hop from one place to another. Sometimes, it was embarrassing; other times, it used to be just fine. The main issue was the vibe. We just didn’t click. There was no chord striking with the audience, no spark. That derailed every effort of mine. The vibe is the most essential thing in a singing performance.
That was a disappointing moment. I was exhausted, and I had no energy left. My heart felt heavy; however, I maintained my composure by recalling the heartening moments I experienced in my journey. It gave me some hope to move towards another city, Bangalore.