KALYAN

Kaly, inspirational percussionist and Dhol player with Alaap came to England in 1964. While still at school he formed The First All Asian Heavy Metal Rock Band. They had one drum kit, two guitars, a trumpet and about thirty members, he recalls. At a meeting on the green behind Southall Police Station the membership was slashed to eight - the rest became their roadies. As the Hot Shots they practised at Dormers Wells and Tudor Road Schools, and later toured pubs and universities in London, inspired by Jimi Hendrix, The Who, James Brown and Wilson Pickett. As one of the UK's first professional Indian drummers, Kaly (Kalyan) was already on stage when the UK Bhangra revolution was in the wings tuning up. Kaly juggled his rock and roll lifestyle with freelancing for the jobbing Punjabi and Hindi bands that formed the mainstay of weddings and social events. As a session musician for Mohinder Kaur Bhamra,  Surinder Kaur, Jagjit Singh, Anup Jalota and other touring artistes from the sub continent he gained invaluable experience and a reputation as a virtuoso drummer. Kaly joined Alaap in 1985 - his perfect timing put him at the heart of the band and his virtuoso drum solos kept him at the heart of the audience. Kaly has toured the world and is still performing with Alaap today. Aloof from the world of music business politics he passes on his experience and expertise to the next generation of percussionists. Kaly's son Sunil is a prominent tabla player. Kaly is our Bhangra Champion for the South East and the Home Counties.   My musical life began in the classroom when I picked up a couple of rulers and started banging away on desks. The teacher caught me, of course.