"Hassi": A conversation with my past and the city that raised me

Introduction: The Prelude to a Saga

In the heart of a city where history whispers from every corner, where the present weaves through the past like threads in a rich tapestry, lies Old Delhi. This is not just a place; it's a living, breathing character in the saga of "Hassi." My hometown. My personal love-hate relationship. Amidst its narrow lanes and crowded bazaars, under the watchful gaze of the Jama Masjid, and within the shadow of the imposing Red Fort, my story—and the story of "Hassi"—begins.

My name is Eternalramblings, a moniker that reflects my journey through life and music. Old Delhi, with its labyrinthine alleys and the cacophony of its daily life, has been both my muse and my sanctuary. It's here, among the echoes of Ghalib's verses and the architectural marvels of a bygone era, that I found my voice as a songwriter.

Chapter 1: The Streets of Inspiration

Every walk through Old Delhi is a journey through time, through my past and my childhood. Chandni Chowk, with its bustling markets, offers a symphony of sights, sounds, and smells that fuel my creativity as I learn to love the culture I grew up in. The scent of fresh jalebis, the vibrant colors of sarees on display, and the harmonious chaos of voices bargaining and laughing—all these elements blended into the backdrop of "Hassi."

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of gold and orange, I found myself lost in the serenity of Dariba Kalan. The narrow street, known for its jewelry shops, seemed to whisper stories of love, loss, and longing. It was in this moment, surrounded by the timeless beauty of Old Delhi, that the idea of "Hassi" began to form in my mind. An idea, that weeks later will unexpectedly start sedimenting in my mind like it was ready to be born.

Chapter 2: The Birth of "Hassi"

In the monochrome of life, there are moments so fleeting yet so profound they color our existence perpetually. For me, one such moment unfolded in the unlikeliest of places—an auto rickshaw winding through the streets of Old Delhi. The city's heartbeat, its rhythmic pulse, melded with my own, as I was inching closer and closer to my home, giving birth to "Hassi." This was not just a song; it was a revelation, a reflection of my soul cast against the vibrant canvas of my childhood streets and youthful struggles.

As the auto rickshaw hummed and jostled along the age-old roads of Ajmeri Gate, a melody whispered in my ear. It was as if the spirits of the city, from the forgotten poets to the unnamed artisans, had chosen this moment to impart their timeless wisdom. It’s always a phenomenon that stumps my rational mind. Each song seems to have a different creator, I rationalise it as a chemical coincidence in my brain but the mystic quality of the experience rarely gets unnoticed. I scrambled for my phone, hitting record, eager to capture the raw essence of this inspiration. The audio, filled with the ambient sounds of the city's life—honking horns, cacophonous chatter, the faint melody of a radio from a nearby car — became the cradle for "Hassi's" first notes.

Here’s that first inception, the first dialogue, the raw recording

Hassi Auto DraftEternalramblings

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Chapter 3: The Heart of "Hassi"

At its heart, "Hassi" is an autobiographical narrative woven from the threads of joy, sorrow, ambition, and resilience. It captures the essence of youth—not just any youth, but my youth, one spent in the bustling lanes of Old Delhi, where every corner holds a story, every shadow a mystery.

"Jaebon me bhi jaalein hai, shaukh phir bhi paalein hain"

The lyrics, serve as a poignant reminder of the duality of existence. They reflect the struggle inherent in the pursuit of dreams, the burning desire to live life to its fullest despite the constraints of reality. This line, emblematic of the entire song, encapsulates the bittersweet journey of the protagonist—a journey that mirrors my own. The lyrics borrow from my humble life living with my parents in a small house in Old Delhi, immersed in the history of the place. The song encapsulates my life in my early 20s as i decided to walk this path of being a performer, songwriter and musician. The song describes to the listener my outlook on life. The outlook of finding my limits, of enjoying challenges. My mindset of seeking unsolved problems, being friends with failures all the while walking like a madman with a smile.

The Literary Heartbeat of Shahjahanabad

Old Delhi, or Shahjahanabad, is not just a locale; it's a living museum of history, culture, and poetry. Its every corner tells a story, every stone bears witness to the passage of time. It's here, amidst the grandeur of the Mughal architecture and the vibrant chaos of daily life, that the words of Mirza Ghalib, Bahadur Shah Zafar, and other legendary poets echo, their verses as relevant today as they were centuries ago.

I remember, the first time I stepped into Ghalib's haveli, hidden in the corners of Ballimaran, now a shrine to his memory. The air was thick with the musk of history, and his words adorned the walls, a testament to the enduring power of his poetry, the effect that had on me. How the first time I watched Nassirudin Shah starrer 1988 Mirza Ghalib, I couldn’t help but get joyed by the fact that I am living where poets immemorial penned down wisdom echoing the stoic resolve to find joy in adversity, a sentiment that resonates deeply with Old Delhi.

Let me share some verses that live in my head tethered to my action like a map for life.

हज़ारों ख्वाहिशें ऐसी के हर ख्वाहिश पे दम निकले, बहुत निकले मेरे अरमान लेकिन फिर भी कम निकले। (Thousands of desires, each worth dying for... many of them I have realized...yet I yearn for more.) -Mirza Ghalib

बाज़ीचा-ए-अत्फ़ाल है दुनिया मेरे आगे, होता है शब-ओ-रोज़ तमाशा मेरे आगे। (The world is but a playground before me, Day and night, this spectacle unfolds before me.) - Mirza Ghalib

आशिक़ की भी कटती हैं क्या खूब तरह रातें, दो चार घड़ी रोना, दो चार घड़ी बातें | (Lovers, too, pass their nights in quite a remarkable way, A few moments in tears, a few in whispered conversations sway.) - Mirza Muhammad Rafi Sauda

Chapter 4: 'Chauhraaya' of KAPOW! minds

From Voice Memo to Anthem

Transforming the initial recording into the song that "Hassi" would become was a journey marked by introspection, debate (More like arguments), and the merging of diverse musical influences. My bandmates and I gathered, each bringing our individual stories and talents to the table, creating a crucible in which "Hassi" could take shape. We pored over every note and lyric, ensuring that the song remained true to its roots while resonating with a universal audience. It had everything from a catchy Bollywood song to a Classic Rock Anthem by the time we finished.

In these collaborative sessions, "Hassi" began to reflect not just my own journey but the collective experiences of struggle, joy, and the relentless pursuit of dreams. The anecdotes of late-night musings, the shared laughter over mispronounced words (which by now you know happens a lot, ‘tangi’ becomes ‘tanki’ or troubling our latest member by singing it ‘Tanvi’ instead), and the heated debates over lyrical choices—all became part of the song's DNA and Redbull expenditure.

Influences and Innovations

The musical landscape of "Hassi" was shaped by a myriad of influences, from the indie bands that provided a backdrop to our creative process to the echoes of Old Delhi's rich cultural heritage. Yet, no single genre or artist could claim to be the sole inspiration which is always the story with each and every one of KAPOW! songs, don’t ask the genre of the song it just breaks our circuits. Instead, "Hassi" drew its strength from the diversity of sounds and stories that each of us brought to the studio.

Chapter 5: Big Daddy of RocknRoll adding a new dimension

After we were done with laying down the structure, we wanted a touch of God, a hint of wizardry to make the song a multidimensional Saga and this is where a simple phone call between Subir Malik, the spearhead of Indian RocknRoll with Parikrama and Eternalramblings changed the course of the song. With Subir Dada, our Dumbledore with the heart of Ash Ketchum, we crafted a solo for the track. The section of the track with his intellect and prowess is a beast of its own, with a will of its own that transform the song into a lot more.

Chapter 6: The Soundtrack is Shaped

The Studio: We are live

The recording studio became our testing ground, where raw emotions were transmuted into the track as this time we recorded the song live with all instruments going in all at the same time to retain the energy of the song. It was a meticulous process, balancing technical precision with the spontaneity of artistic expression. The challenge lay in preserving the authenticity of that initial inspiration while crafting a sound that was polished yet profoundly personal.

Reflections on Completion

Listening to the completed "Hassi" was akin to looking into a mirror that reflected not just my face but the myriad faces of those who had walked the journey with me. It was a moment of realization that while the song had begun as my story, it had grown into a narrative that belonged to everyone who found a piece of themselves in its lyrics and melody.

Chapter 7: Finding Our 'Hassi': How You, the Audience, Named Our Song

The tale of how "Hassi" found its name is my favourite bit about this song. Steeped in community, metaphors, and the spontaneous moments that often guide the creative process to its destination.

A Community's Voice

The journey to naming "Hassi" began at our live performances. It was in these intimate settings, with the song still fresh and unnamed, that we invited our audience into the creative process—a decision that opened the door to a unique form of collaboration. Audience members, having experienced the raw emotions and narratives of the song, were asked to suggest titles that they felt captured its essence.

Four Titles Emerge

From these sessions, four titles resonated strongly, not just with us as creators, but with the song itself: "Hassi," "Sukoon," "Mausam," and "Zindagi." Each suggestion offered a different lens through which to view the song, reflecting its multifaceted nature. The titles spoke of joy, peace, the changing seasons of life, and life itself—themes that were all intertwined within the song's lyrics and melodies.

A Decision Made

The decision to choose "Hassi" as the title was not made lightly. It was the result of careful consideration of the song's message and its impact on listeners. "Hassi," meaning laughter or smile, emerged as the title that best encompassed the song's underlying message: finding joy and resilience in the face of life's challenges while navigating through your 20s.

The EP Takes Shape

The influence of the audience's suggestions extended beyond the naming of "Hassi." It inspired the conceptualization of an entire EP, "Zindagi," which would chart the trajectory of life's phases through music. "Hassi" would be the beginning, followed by "Sukoon"in the 40s and "Mausam” at the tail end of the protagonist’s life dealing with remorse, memories and coming to terms with the end. Thus, what began as a quest for a title evolved into a larger project, a narrative arc that would span across three songs.

Chapter 8: "Hassi" in the Limelight: A Cinematic Vision

As "Hassi" unfolded, its cinematic qualities also became undeniable. It's a song that doesn't just belong in playlists but deserves a place in film, capturing the bittersweet symphony of youth, struggle, and resilience. I envision "Hassi" weaving through the narrative of a movie, echoing the ethos of Old Delhi, and bringing its tales to life. Let this be a call to filmmakers: here lies a soundtrack in search of its story.

Epilogue: Beyond the Veil - The Saga Continues with "Haqeeqat Ke Pare"

As the final notes of "Hassi" resonate in the silence, the journey of Eternalramblings and KAPOW! is far from over. But before KAPOW! introduces its audience to the rest of the story in this saga called “Zindagi”. KAPOW! will betaking a detour back to their 12 month song plan. The stage is set for yet another unprecedented odyssey with their April release, "Haqeeqat Ke Pare" - a song that promises to transport listeners beyond the realms of reality, into a world where dreams and loss collide.

The story unfolds this April. Don't just listen, experience.