PHOTOS: Santosh Kumar VK
An evening of timeless Hindi melodies, shared memories and soulful performances by Singapore’s Couch Chorus at Sentosa proved that great music never grows old.
There is something magical about old Hindi film songs. You may not have heard a particular melody for years, perhaps even decades, but the moment those familiar notes begin playing, the lyrics come flooding back. So do the memories.
That was precisely what happened to me on Saturday, October 10, when I attended Cassettes Karwaan – Radios Se Cassettes Tak at Verve, Amara Sanctuary Resort, Sentosa.
For 150 delightful minutes, I was transported through four decades of Hindi film music, from the evergreen melodies of the 1960s to the romantic ballads, foot-tapping numbers and unforgettable hits of the early 2000s.
And what a lovely musical journey it was!
The occasion was the third edition of Cassettes Karwaan, which, remarkably, had attracted a full house for the third consecutive time.
Having experienced the evening, I can understand its growing popularity among Singapore’s Hindi music lovers.
What struck me immediately was the atmosphere. There was none of the formality associated with conventional concerts, where performers occupy an elevated stage and audiences remain passive spectators.
Instead, this was a wonderfully relaxed gathering of people who clearly shared a deep affection for Hindi music.
The setting was intimate, the mood cheerful and the interaction spontaneous. People sang along, smiled at familiar lyrics and occasionally seemed lost in their own memories.
It felt more like an extended musical evening in someone’s living room than a ticketed performance.
And that, I discovered, is precisely the philosophy behind Couch Chorus, the Singapore-based Bollywood band that collaborates on Cassettes Karwaan.
The band was founded nearly two years ago by four corporate professionals — Ajeet, Swapnil, Ranjit and Susheel — who shared a passion for music and wanted to create something beyond their regular working lives.
What began as a musical pursuit has developed into an engaging platform for people who enjoy Hindi songs, whether at corporate functions, private celebrations, intimate ghazal gatherings or energetic rock performances.
Their Cassettes Karwaan concept, however, is particularly interesting.
Rather than simply performing popular Bollywood numbers, the musicians recreate the experience of listening to music during the radio and cassette eras.
For those of us who grew up before streaming platforms and digital playlists, the idea carries enormous sentimental value.
There was a time when radio programmes such as Binaca Geetmala were eagerly awaited, when listeners tuned in at specific hours to hear their favourite songs.
Then came the cassette revolution. We bought tapes, carefully rewound favourite tracks, exchanged recordings with friends and sometimes used a pencil to rescue tangled cassette ribbons!
Music was not available instantly at the touch of a screen. Listening required a little patience, and perhaps that made the experience more precious.
Cassettes Karwaan cleverly captures that spirit.
Its musical format resembles a journey through an old collection of tapes, moving from one era to another while encouraging everyone to become part of the performance.
The repertoire on October 10 covered Hindi cinema’s rich musical evolution across the decades.
For me, the beauty lay in the contrast between the different periods — the lyrical elegance and melodic richness of the 1960s and 1970s, the changing rhythms of the 1980s, the infectious romance of the 1990s and the more contemporary sounds of the early 2000s.
Each era had its own character, yet the songs blended naturally into an enjoyable musical narrative.
The musicians deserve considerable credit for making that possible.
Swapnil and Ajeet, handling guitars and vocals, provided much of the melodic foundation. Their acoustic playing suited the intimate setting beautifully, allowing familiar songs to breathe without being overwhelmed by instrumentation.
Susheel and Prachi brought warmth and versatility to the vocals, moving comfortably through different musical moods.
Karthik, on keyboards, added melodic texture and depth, while Ratnesh was particularly versatile, contributing percussion, flute, poetry and vocals.
What I appreciated was that the performers did not attempt to overpower one another.
There was a pleasing sense of teamwork, with each musician contributing to the overall sound while allowing the songs themselves to remain the stars.
The poetry and spontaneous musical exchanges added another dimension, giving the evening the feel of a traditional baithak — an informal gathering where music and conversation flow naturally.
Most importantly, the band understood its audience.
There was no need for elaborate choreography, dazzling lighting or heavily amplified arrangements.
The real attraction was the emotional connection between the performers, the songs and the listeners.
Sometimes, a familiar opening melody was enough to draw an enthusiastic response. At other moments, the audience joined the singing almost instinctively, transforming the room into one large chorus.
That collective participation is what distinguishes Cassettes Karwaan from an ordinary Bollywood concert.
The audience does not merely consume the music. It helps create the atmosphere.
And because everyone brings different memories to the same songs, the experience becomes deeply personal.
I particularly enjoyed the unhurried pace of the programme. At 150 minutes, it was substantial without feeling exhausting.
The musicians allowed the evening to unfold naturally, balancing lively passages with softer, reflective moments.
There was time to enjoy the melodies, appreciate the musicianship and simply soak in the nostalgia.
The session was followed by dinner, providing a pleasant opportunity to continue conversations after the music had ended.
That social element is another reason I find this concept appealing.
With Ratnesh Pandey.
In a city where entertainment increasingly means large concerts, spectacular productions and expensive celebrity appearances, Couch Chorus has found an attractive alternative.
It brings music lovers together in a smaller, friendlier setting, where the experience is as much about companionship as performance.
Three consecutive houseful editions suggest that the idea is resonating with audiences.
For Ajeet, Swapnil, Ranjit, Susheel and their fellow musicians, that is an achievement worth celebrating.
They have demonstrated that corporate professionals pursuing their musical passion can build something meaningful within Singapore’s vibrant Indian cultural community.
And they have done so without losing the simplicity that makes the concept special.
As I left Sentosa that evening, I found myself thinking about how music has accompanied so many stages of our lives.
A song can remind us of schooldays, a favourite film, a family celebration, an old friendship or a moment we had almost forgotten.
Cassettes Karwaan brought many such memories back.
The real magic of the evening was not simply hearing old songs performed well. It was rediscovering how much those songs still mean to us.
In an age of algorithms, playlists and instant downloads, Couch Chorus reminded me of something wonderfully simple: sometimes, all you need is a guitar, a familiar melody, a room full of music lovers and the willingness to sing along.
No rewind button necessary.
Just beautiful music, wonderful company and memories that continue playing long after the evening ends.
