Day three of Kappa CULTR 2025 began with an insightful session of CULTR Talks titled "Is Music The Answer?" The conversation brought together some of India’s finest electronic musicians—Ash Roy, Calm Chor, Chetan aka Mogasu, and Aaguu—along with Mayura MS, Director of Digital Business at Mathrubhumi and founder of Kappa CULTR. Each panellist shared their unique journey and perspective on the role music plays in their lives, and societies, and as a powerful agent of culture.
Ash Roy’s story was one of unexpected beginnings. He recalled how, as a dancer, he was first introduced to the world of DJing at clubs in Kolkata. “I was at this birthday party when my friend asked me to DJ. He thought I’d be good at it because I was a dancer. Turns out, he was right, and everyone loved it."
Calm Chor’s path into music was shaped by his upbringing in a family that loved hosting parties. "Growing up, I was surrounded by music. My family would always throw big parties and handle the music; I just took over eventually," he said.
Chetan, on the other hand, came in from a background in branding and design. "I was busy being a designer when I first came across electronic music. Something about the genre intrigued me, and I knew I had to try my hand at it," he shared.
Aaguu, who started out in 2010 in Bengaluru as Aashish Gupta, shared how he was drawn to the electronic sounds of the '90s and early 2000s, which inspired him to start producing music. In 2018, after relocating to Berlin, he adopted the stage name Aaguu.
The panelists didn’t just discuss their journeys but also reflected on the power and significance of music itself. Ash Roy spoke about how music is a universal language. "Music is something everyone understands, no matter where you’re from or what language you speak. It’s this beautiful way of communicating without using words," he explained. Calm Chor echoed this sentiment, saying, "When you play music, and the crowd connects with it, it’s like everyone is vibrating at the same frequency and resonating at that frequency. That’s the magic!"
Chetan shared his perspective on DJing, calling it a form of meditation. "For me, being a DJ is like meditating. You’re in this space where the energy of the crowd and the music you’re playing just come together." He also noted that curating electronic music events requires a deep understanding of balance, particularly because not everyone is familiar with the genre. "To break that barrier, I find that mixing a bit of everything works. It’s about introducing people to the beauty of electronic music without overwhelming them.”
The discussion also delved into the role of technology in music. Calm Chor pointed out the double-edged sword of technological advancements. "Technology helps us create music and reach wider audiences, but it also creates an environment where recognition is harder to come by. Sometimes, those who are putting in the hard work don’t get the credit they deserve," he said.
Mayura MS, the founder of Kappa CULTR, shared her thoughts on the festival's creation and its growth. "Kappa CULTR was born out of a deep love for music and the desire to bring more of it to our people in Kerala. It’s always been a passion-driven project, and we’ve received so much support from the community and the government," she said. However, she also acknowledged the challenges of running a music festival, particularly with the lack of access to certain revenue streams due to government restrictions.
As the session wound down, industry pioneers Ash Roy and Calm Chor shared their thoughts on the elusive idea of "making it" in the music industry. "There’s no such thing as ‘making it’," Ash said. "We’re always learning, always evolving. Music is a never-ending journey of creation and connection." Calm Chor added, "The truth is, we’re always pushing ourselves to improve, to create something new, to be better than we were yesterday.”
Calm Chor also shared his thoughts on the direction of the music festival scene, calling out the commercialisation that sometimes undermines the artistry. "VIP culture and selling out festivals with big names are slowly killing the music scene. Organisers need to focus on the music, on creating a space where the art is appreciated, not just the names on the lineup," he stated.
Aaguu weighed in on the importance of intention in music. "If you don’t have a clear purpose, your music will not feel authentic. You have to be intentional with every beat, every sound, to create something that expresses your true self and resonates deeply with your audience," he said.
Mayura closed the discussion by reinforcing the festival’s core values: "At Kappa CULTR, we aim to respect and appreciate every artist for who they are, build trust with our audience, and always prioritise the sound of the festival. That’s what truly matters to us.”
The session offered a fascinating and honest insight into the evolving world of electronic music, highlighting the challenges, joys, and realities of being artists and curators in the ever-evolving scene.
Published: 14 Jan 2025, 01:48 pm IST
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