What do you do when you are too passionate about some thing but don't get enough exposure to your need?
Revolution has many faces. From the violent struggles of Che Guevara to Gandhi's Satyagraha, all are different forms of revolution. Even a new start to something which is non-existent in a culture is a revolution itself.
But, Amit Saigal never knew he would be later known as a revolutionary leader in the field of music production when he was playing with his college band Impact in the 80s. All he felt was a need for a platform for the Indian bands to showcase their art. The only platform being the college fests those days, it was hard for any passionate musician to make a living out of it as they had a very limited reach and exposure.
Amit Saigal and Sam Eric Lal published a magazine at Allahbad in early 1993. When Saigal printed the 2500 copies of the 1st issue, the idea was 'to come up with RSJ which would provide news about rock music anywhere in the country' recalls Sam. Thus the Rock Street Journal was born.
But, like most revolutionaries do, Amit didn't stop there with the cup of success-blended coffee in his hand. He knew he had a long way to go. Up next was RSJ's major extravaganza, the Great Indian Rock. A rock festival where one could live rock, breathe rock and feel rock.
Amit Saigal can be compared to what Ozzy Osborne did with his OzzFest to revolutionize Heavy Metal music. Amit Saigal is the father of independent music in India. He brought the underground music scene to the stage it is in today. The Papa of Rock will always be in the Hall of Fame in the Indian Music Industry.
(This article was first published on youthkiawaaz.com. Click here to find it.)