Indian band chosen for Olympics struggles for sponsors

New Delhi: While Chennai-based Staccato is elated over being selected to perform at the Olympics in London, the music band is struggling to arrange sponsors to fund their trip to the sporting extravaganza.

The fusion band comprising a bunch of teenagers is one of the two bands of Asia selected by "Slumdog Millionaire" director Danny Boyle from among 10,000 entries world over. The band`s Olympic composition being guided by music maestro A R Rehman whose nephew Kashif is part of the band. "Our instrumental compositions `Sound of Air` and `Salsa` got us entry into the jig, so we are working on more such composition for the big day,"says a member of the band. Both their entries for the selection - `Sounds Of Air` and `Salsa` were instrumental pieces hence the band is preparing two,40 minutes each exclusive composition for Olympics. The band has been allotted two slots of 80 minutes each to be performed at the Olympic Park the venue of performances all through the Olympic fortnight. While practice sessions are on in full swing the 10 member ensemble is struggling to get sponsors for funding their trip to Olympics. "The news of being selected along with a band from China from more than 10,000 entries came as a great surprise for us. But arranging sponsors is proving to be a bit tougher than expected," Vikram Saarathy, the keyboardist of the band told a news agency. "Although we are in talks with few sponsors but as per the Olympic Organising Committee`s guidelines no promotion can be done at the venue for the sponsors and that`s where we are finding it difficult to pitch in sponsors," he said. Staccato is an experimental fusion band that brings together various classical Carnatic trappings with blues, jazz, and Arabic influences, as well as western music. The band says it is driven by a zest for new forms of music and innovative compositions that please the soul. This band previously landed in international spotlight. for the soundtrack for the film "Thinapayanam", which won accolades for the best score at the Paris Film Festival. In year 2011, Staccato represented India at the World Finals of Tum Tum Pa, a percussion event organized by Red Bull in Brazil. "Danny Boyle was so impressed with our performance that he has recommended our band to perform at the Aberdeen Music Festival set to be held this August in Aberdeen. Playing at such a prestigious platform like Olympics is no less than dream come true for us." says Vikram. Keyboardist Vikram added that the band is sure that they will get some benevolent sponsors to help them in heading towards the Olympic torchlight. However the sooner it happens the better they will be able to focus on the rehearsals for enthralling the audience at `Olympic Park` on July 30 and August 2. "We are keeping our fingers crossed for getting sponsors soon. If that happens, this experience is going to be beyond glee," says Vikram. PTI