The Predicate

H1Bees is a collaborative effort (by several Indians) that boasts big name stars and newcomers with burgeoning stardom. This privately released audio CD was helmed by the amply gifted musician, Srikanth Devarajan. H1Bees is a thematic CD; it itemizes the disastrous rites of passage for an H1B holder, hereafter known as an H1Bee.

As laughing at painful disillusioning experiences is the healthiest therapy and the surest path to wisdom, this collective experience of thousands of Indians is worth commemorating in the many phases it affects us. H1Bees, not only knows its territory well, but it addresses the subject with humor, nostalgia, romance, pride, and faith. Who can resist such genuine emotions? I invite you to the H1Bees experience and hope you indulge in it. Let’s briefly look at the seven tracks in the CD.

1. H1Bees (English) The title track of the album distills the travails of the Indian youth with H1B work visas. The song works well in telling a familiar tale in a humorous way. Genesis, the rock group, did a similar romp (no, there’s no similarity whatsoever between the two compositions) on the border crossers from Mexico in their song, “Illegal Alien”. This song does the same for our legal border-crossing Indians and their legal but unfair treatment.

The hard rocking guitar teases here and there in the song. I wish this was a more central presence in the song. The tune itself has an Island/reggae feel to it. Kartik, a newcomer, delivers the emotion with deprecating charm.

2. thEdith thEdi How would it feel if an unknown voice explodes in the usual scene with an upbeat melody that captures your fancy? That’s the kind of refreshing jolt listeners are in for if they’re hearing Alisha for the first time. Since I’m familiar with Alisha’s spellbinding voice, for me it was like returning repeatedly to gorge on a feast. The composition is light with a swift pace, aimed to let the young lark soar and soar she does, taking us with her.

Priya Karthick’s lyrics ascertain that there is plenty of beauty left in Thamizh for pop songs; if only we could send this message and Priya to Kollywood, hmm, throw some gold coins into that wishing well.

3. dolleril income/varavu ettanA This is hot on the trails of reinventing-the-oldies trend. But rather than taint the original with an unworthy remix (the recent abuse of “uththaravindRi ullE vA” comes to mind) and crass lyrics, this attempt springs off the old song’s premise and applies it to the situation of middle-class expatriates and the generational/cultural clash they experience with their Desi-American children. Ramesh and Mani Shastri wrote the hilarious Thamizh and Thelungu lyrics for the old tune, with vocal help from nearly everyone involved with the CD. I think Kannadhasan and MSV would approve this effort.

4. thikkuth theriyAtha kAttil Who best to articulate the lost in the woods feeling that overwhelms H1Bees, than the Mahakavi? This song is a semi-classical rendition of Barathiyar’s searching poem; only, in the H1Bee context this search could be for faith, redemption, companionship, or the higher self. Just when the CD seemed geared for a Generation-X feel, Swathi Raman anchors this song in Carnatic tradition while the searing lyrics probe the universe for meaning.

5. kannaale ambu vittu Though a departure in content and mood from the previous song, this song upholds the folk dance tradition that has regained prominence with the Dheenas, Devas, YSRs and Harris Jeyarajs of the TFM scene. Usha Krishnan and Ramesh (who also penned the song) pump attitude and energy into this number. Were it featured in a movie, I’m sure the Thamizh TV channels will assault the viewers often with this.

6. engineering marku This is a companion piece to the title track that accounts for the F1-route to becoming an H1Bee. Here the trials give way to renewed faith. Tippu (another headliner in Kollywood’s current playback singing scene) and G.V. Prakash lend more than the usual vocal dexterity for such fast-paced songs. The youthful composition races to an industrial strength beat.

7. H1Bees (Hindi) This is the Hindi version of the title track. While it contains all the pluses from the English version, Kartik’s voice and the melody suit the Hindi version even better.