bendi ya wahapahapa yachengua bangalore

wahapahapa band in action in bangalore, india
from left teddy mubarak, fujo makaranga and paul ndunguru in action

Wahapahapa in their element

AFRICAN music is about percussive rhythms and mesmerising folk-based lyrics in their baritones. It is rare that Bangalore witnesses such breath-taking performances.One such was put up by the band Wahapahapa from Tanzania at The Opus on Sunday.

The crowd, that was eager for the show to start, thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon dancing along to the soulful African rhythms.

The band comprises Teddy Mubarak, the band leader, Fujo Makaranga on Ngoma (African percussion instruments) and Paul Ndunguru on vocals and guitar.

"There are seven of us actually, but only three of us could make it. Next time all of us would be coming here", said Teddy.

Clad in their traditional colourful dresses with little whistles hanging down their necks, the three lined up amidst the Ngoma and the xylophone called Marimba that had the Tanzanian flag hanging down the front.

Throughout the set, they displayed tremendous feel as they enjoyed what they played. Most of the audience had never watched such a performance live and it did not disappoint them.

As he played, Fujo displayed priceless expressions and tremendous outbursts of energy. The multi-talented Fujo also played an instrument called Kilimba (thumb piano) and the Marimba.

Bugobogobo, Msoma, Mtigile, Makao, Mganda Wa Kikuto and Marimba Ya Kigogo were a few of the songs they played.

At the start of one of the songs, Fujo involved the audience by asking them to clap as he developed a powerful groove. Paul said, in Tanzania, there are two groups of people who make music, the animal keepers and the farmers.

"We are trying to express what they would have done, as most African music is based on Nature", he said.

The songs that Paul sang definitely had meaning and deeper interpretation to it. Though most of the songs were sung in the band's native language, one could still enjoy the songs by just shutting their eyes and picturing the African natives dressed in their traditional dresses, dancing and singing.

Incidentally, they too danced as they played their respective instruments, except for Fujo who was seated. In fact, in between one of the songs they stopped playing and just sang and danced till the end of the song. Wahapahapa means originates from here! shouted out Teddy before their encore song Roda.

"We love Bangalore and we loved playing for you", said Paul as the crowd applauded.

Mwanaima Mrutu, a professional dancer and dance teacher, is also a part of the band and would be present the next time they perform.

Next, they made way for a few Bangalore based musicians who were present at the event to try out the instruments.

Ananth Menon from Galeej Gurus and members of the Chronic Blues Circus band also played.

m surajmenon@epmltd.com