Page 47 - Seniors Today - May21 Issue
P. 47
Prabhakar Mundkur, Bashir Sheikh, Remo Fernandes and Ralph Pais
Perhaps the first discotheque to open in music for one is not as popular as it used to
Mumbai and perhaps the country was the be. Its transition to Jazz by the Bay was a bit
Blow Up at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. of relaunch that stayed well with the spirit
It was almost the last piece of decadence of the place. But its transformation to Pizza
offered by the Taj as a hangover of a by the Bay negates all its beautiful history.
bygone era. I was a member of the band Studio 29 on Marine Drive became the
called the Savages at that time, and we place to party in the early 80s. The crowd
were invited to do a month’s gig in August was eclectic. Famous models, film stars and
of 1968. A well-known Sri Lankan band other celebrities made their way there. It
called The Jetliners, in around June of the was the place to be.
same year. I still remember the manager Nightlife has generally changed a lot in
of the Blow Up was a swarthy moustache Mumbai. I can’t think of a place where I can
and went by the name of Menon. We used have a good dinner and listen to some good
to play half an hour sets every night. live music any more. Of course the young
The Blow Up attracted all of Bombay’s party and dance at several nightclubs in
glitterati. Since the band stand was a the city. Also the centre of gravity of the
raised platform I had a bird’s eye view city has shifted from South Mumbai to the
of the celebrities dancing there with gay suburbs. But I am not sure that any of them
abandon. have the character of a Blue Note In New
One of our next gigs was at the Talk of York, Salon 30 in Havana or the Lido in
the Town. This had a unique atmosphere Berlin. Mumbai doesn’t really feature in the
because the audience had serious diners list of music cities anymore. Neither does
and people who had dropped in for a drink. it have an art deco district, barring Kala
Talk of the Town always had a band or Ghoda which has again been on the decline.
two in the evening. Over time, it seems to It is sad that Mumbai just doesn’t have the
have lost its charm or it may be just that charm of a city that once sported nightlife
audiences have changed over time. Live just like in the best cities of the world.
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #23 | MAY 2021 47
