Today, April 14, 2022, is Lou Majaw’s 75th birthday.
Guwahati: At 75 years, Lou Majaw is still the performer, showman and magic minstrel from Shillong that he always was.
When he sings his original compositions in his highly distinctive way – in his trademark denim shorts, leather wrist bands and mismatched socks – his young audience listens. Wise parents who wish to understand how the young are thinking ought to listen to him too.
Lou is difficult to put in a category but a natural progression in the country’s rock music scenario. Perhaps it is best not to classify him at all, but to let him speak for himself, about himself and in his own sweet way.
Lou Majaw’s right to pride of place in the rock culture of our country is unchallenged. His music commands attention. Every serious musician who has followed him is indebted to him and to where he has taken their music. He does not play at his fans, he plays for them, with them.
Here are some excerpts from a conversation with the legend.
Looking back at your exciting journey so far, what are your thoughts about life and music?
I personally feel looking back is looking ahead. Life goes on because life is too beautiful to be qualified. For Lou Majaw, music is life and life is music.
You were amongst the first to cut an original album in our country, along with your band, The Great Society. What is the story behind that?
After penning down ‘Sea of Sorrow’, the first original song that was written in 1965, the next step was to share it with others, even though there was a lack of musicianship, a lack of technical know-how and, of course, a lack of finance.
However, we still managed to cut an album and called it Breakthrough. A couple of years later, we released our second album Dance Your Ass Off. Where there is a will, there is always a way.
Those were exciting times. We were doing it before anybody knew we would – or could – except for the people involved with it at that time.
It was distinctively our kind of sound.
I wonder if we could talk about electronic music and what made you decide to use it?
I was doing fine, you see, playing the guitar and singing. But besides regular recording, we also have to make good use of the advancement of science and technology – progressives, you see. And yes, if a particular song or melody demands it – go ahead and do it.
In the Northeast music scene of the last 50 years, what changes have you seen and what more should happen?
Here in the Northeast everything is booming from rock and roll to whatever. Everyone has their choice of music to embrace the way they feel. I would like to say that music should play on because the world without music is a dead planet.
Are you searching for something at present? Apart from your dreams?
In our day-to-day lives we have a wish. We have a fear of uncertainty and hope for peace for all nations and, of course, a cleaner planet.
Yes, I am still searching for a dream – the one that Lou Majaw can’t lose.
But there’s one too many dreams, and it’s hard for me to choose.
So I keep on searching.
Khublei!
Sattyakee D’Com Bhuyan is a Guwahati-based musician, teacher, theatre actor-director and anchor.
