Whatsapp, folks? I guess this question will be greeted with different messages. The fact is, I spent more time on WhatsApp groups in 2016 than working or sleeping. Music communities, to be precise, barring one tennis network which wakes up four times a year.
I am sure I am not alone. But wonder if anybody moderates as many groups as I do. Not even Mark Zuckerberg. Friends tell me I can make millions, but I’m a tad too lazy.
The groups can be as serious as Charles Dickens, or as funny as Archie comics. But check out the range. There’s a Raga Sangeet group that focuses on Hindustani, Carnatic, ghazals, devotional and regional music. There’s Panchamatantra, which is dedicated to R.D. Burman. Jazzmatazz for the jazz and blues fans, the Boss Music Club for those who love Broadway, opera, soundtracks and symphonies, and groups called Ilaaiyaraaja Rocks and Music from Bengal.
One was initially named Beatlenuts & Dylanquents, which soon became Beatlenuts & Tullcoholics, and then Beatlenuts & Jaggernauts, Beatlenuts & Floydmania, Beatlesnuts & Doors-mats, so on and so forth. Get the point? Basically, a classic rock forum.
There are many others too, and it’s a daily adventure. Members are largely passionate about their favourite genres, so lots of information, rare pictures, videos and audio links are shared. On the flip side, there’s bad news, like waking up to the fact that Glenn Frey of the Eagles, Prince, Leonard Cohen and George Michael were no more. Or hearing about David Bowie in the middle of a movie.
And there are the people. Some you’ve personally known for years, some recommended by other members. And that’s the fun. Online becomes offline, and you get to know newer folks, often discussing musical tastes.
Different mindsets meet. There are the encyclopaedias, who know what coloured shirt Paul McCartney wore on his third birthday and which song Udit Narayan first sang in a school competition. They may be bluffing, but you believe them.
There are the name-droppers. If you have a conversation about Santana, they will say he is not cool, and mention the Flying Burrito Brothers or Jesus & Mary Chain. If you talk of raga Yaman, they will name ragas even musicians haven’t heard of, but existed in some imaginary research thesis.
Then come the hardcore devotees, who can’t take any criticism about their idols. Cut to the self-promoters. They are extra-active only before their concerts. The moment the event gets over, they vanish till the next one. At times, the promotion has nothing to do with music.
Move on to distracters. They keep posting on anything but music. Okay, a good joke or an important piece of news is fine. But these members send links on how ginseng is grown in South Korea, or how Carl Jung’s grandmother had an Electra complex.
Next come the silent observers. They never comment, but post an occasional emoji to prove they are still around. At times, they say, “I love Lata Mangeshkar.” Well! A contrast is those who yap on anyone between Beyonce and Beethoven, but suddenly leave without warning. Either because of ‘mobile clutter’ or their spouses.
Finally come the birthday wishers. They often discover from Facebook about another group member’s birthday. Half the day goes reading wishes.
So that’s the 2016 WhatsApp story. I’m sure this will continue in 2017. After the New Year wishes, January 4 will have messages on R.D. Burman’s death anniversary and John McLaughlin’s birthday. And though I am very happy with the existing groups, I have resolved not to form another one this year. Aah, Facebook music groups are another ball game, but luckily, I don’t moderate any.
Narendra Kusnur is a freelance music writer
