Sixty-one is just a number for rock star Lou Majaw from Shillong. His trademark — unmatched socks and shoelaces and his long flowing white mane is what differentiates this rock star from the hills from others, but his nature is quite a contrast to his attire. As he and his band of boys do a sound check, he asks the hotel staff if he was loud. “I don't want to bring the building down. I don't want to disturb those who are here to rest. Today my music should entertain those who sit here,” Lou smiles. So what flavour of music from the Northeast will Lou give to his audience in Hyderabad?
“Flavour of the northeast? No, this is no cultural event. I am going to play western music or whatever the crowd asks for. I do not plan a list of songs for my gigs. With the stroke of the first chord my boys know what is next,” he says as he sips his green tea with honey.
A self-taught guitarist and a vocalist, Lou who was on a visit to the city to play at Syn in Taj Deccan says, the city has changed. “Nothing looks familiar to me in Hyderabad. But isn't that the case everywhere?” he asks.
“Shillong, supposedly the ‘Scotland of the East' is no more a paradise. It has become dirty. People are not concerned. They chew khwai-pathi (betel nut and leaf) and stain places with the spit. I stopped the habit because I realised I was adding to the dirt. At the moment my aim to inspire the younger generation to restore the glory of Shillong,” adds Lou.
Lou is however better known for the tradition of celebrating Bob Dylan's birthday every year. School and college students of Shillong remain thankful to Lou for having introduced Bob Dylan's music to them.
“The celebration isn't about me performing on stage. I do it every year in some school or college as I feel that one day in the academic year; to express the free-spirit isn't going to harm the children. We hold discussions about music, poetry and let the children take the stage and show their talent,” explains Lou.
But Lou is clear with his message to the children, “Do not be influenced, get inspired.” Years back Blowing in the wind changed Lou's life. He had heard Dylan's song and couldn't stop admiring his lyrical depth. “The richness of Dylan's writings made me wonder at his lyrical genius, ,” says this ardent Dylan fan who celebrated Dylan's 70th birthday this year.
Ask Lou about his gigs and his tour plans and he says, he has no set target. “Music cannot be targeted. I sing and play the guitar because that makes me happy. I have not counted my concerts, but I came to know I did 200 gigs from a calendar which I mark to help me remember the days of performance,” he laughs.
Apart from music, Lou loves to swim; he also does a lot of gardening. He says talking to plants makes him happy and he considers that as a great stress buster. “Otherwise I am vagabond. To me any place I go or stay at is home. But the best place anywhere is the house where my mother lives. That is paradise for me,” he smiles.
And why is Lou Majaw always seen in shorts, even at performances? “Very simple. Nothing is more comfortable than a pair of shorts on stage,” he laughs.
