If only the world breathed music

Prateek Kuhad's concert was sublime, filled with dreamy love

Here's a thought. It's not an original, but inspired by a certain experience. What if the world would merely breathe in music? Will we then not end up filling every corner of it with love?
The ambience at The Rotunda Caesars Palace Bluewaters last Friday convinced me once more that music can not just heal, but can spread love, too. On the stage was Prateek Kuhad, the Indian singer-songwriter and musician who makes independent music. We've all heard his music - including Barack Obama. Yes, you read that right. In December 2019, the former US president shared his list of 'Favourite Music of 2019' and it included 'cold/mess' by Prateek Kuhad!
While all his fans cheered for him and began to (with more passion) listen to his numbers on loop, Prateek took to Instagram to share his feelings: "This just happened and I don't think I'll sleep tonight. Totally flipping out. I have no idea how cold/mess even reached him but thank you @barackobama, thank you, universe. I didn't think 2019 could've gotten better, but damn I was wrong. What an honour." The post garnered 65K+ likes.
As I walked into the venue, I felt like I'd gone back to my college days. A bunch of extremely excited youngsters formed the larger part of the audience. "It will be a standing concert," I had complained. But once I walked in, I was overwhelmed by the vibe; it was infectious. The ambience was casual. No high heels or fancy stilettoes; the fans had turned up wearing sports and converse shoes. Gowns and dresses gave way to ripped denims, bulky cardigans, and basic tees. It was a chilled-out, casual concert. As popcorns and beverages flowed, Harry - a Lebanese singer - opened the show with his brother. A little later, Prateek walked in casually and well, just began to play - straight up, music foremost - unfiltered.
Throughout the one-hour show, everyone crooned along, as Prateek switched between numbers and instruments (guitars and piano). Whether it was cold/mess or Tune Kaha, Go or his earlier hugely Bollywood numbers like Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, he entertained the audience effortlessly, thanking them, after almost every number. Fans say there's a Prateek Kuhad song for every mood; yes, well, as long as the emotion we're talking of falls in the sound waves of dreamy love.
My biggest takeaway from the evening was the sense of calm that prevailed at the venue... the way his words and chords knitted everyone together, even if for a bit.
A few fans lamented how he didn't sing Saansein from the movie, Karwaan; some even hoped he would return to the stage to sing it as a surprise element. Well, that didn't happen. Many were also upset about the not-so-perfect acoustics at the venue, but we all sang along, nevertheless.
Next time, if I need to picture a world full of fandom, love and music, I'd use this concert as my reference point.
purva@khaleejtimes.com