Viman Nagar’s Phoenix Mall on the evening of the 8th of April saw the performance of one of India’s most celebrated rock musicians, Tirthankar Poddar, or as he is better known as 2Blue. The much-awaited concert took place in the mall’s Liberty Square, with a crowd that, at its peak, numbered in the hundreds. All through the evening, 2Blue and his band enthralled the audience, which was filled with fans and casual mallgoers alike. Tirthankar Poddar has made a name for himself as a rock singer in the Indian music scene, with a musical career that spans over two decades. In 2014, he made waves when he quit his job as Vice President of an IT company to pursue his dreams of becoming a rockstar. Aside from his music career, 2Blue is also an actor, writer, and orator. Tirthankar and his band put on a massive two-hour-long performance, smoothly alternating between covers of classic rock songs and original tracks. If the loud, headbang-inducing music wasn’t enough to impress, the flashing lights and smoke machines certainly iced the cake. The band performed rock superhits such as It’s My Life by Bon Jovi, Paradise City by Guns ‘n’ Roses, and Wonderwall by Oasis, every song riling up the crowd more than the last. 2Blue’s original tracks were also met with enthusiasm and applause. Ever so often, the tattooed 47-year-old would break into a monologue, delivering inspiring messages about perseverance and gratitude. One would usually not think of a mall as being a good venue for a rock show; however, the band’s skilled musicianship, the technical team’s incredible visual effects, and Tirthankar’s charm and stage presence kept the audience in place for the entirety of the show. The band ended with their rendition of Guns ‘n’ Roses’ November Rain, after which Tirthankar was kind enough to speak to us. “I’m glad you people enjoy rock shows, especially now when most music is digital. It seems that these days the pen drive is mightier than the sword.”
10 Feb 2022
Rishab Sengupta
