Meet Karl Vaz - Musician, Singer, Guitarist, Anchor - A complete dynamite. All those who are aware of music scene in Nagpur, have definitely at some point seen Karl's performances. His live performances at karaoke nights in Fionaa have always been a crowd puller.
In a chat with MH-31, Karl shares his journey in the field of music, anchoring, rock bands & Nagpur!
1) Hello Karl, Tell us about yourself.
I am simple guy. Music is my life. (smiles, as simple as that!)
I studied in Nagpur till 6th class after which we moved to Mt Abu. I came back to Nagpur & did my Bcom from Hislop college. I was always good at sports during my academic life. I went on to become footbal U-16 Maharashtra Assistant Coach. Currently i work at St John's Highschool Nagpur as physical education instructor.
2) Tell us something about Your journey into the field of music.
Music has been with me since my childhood. I started learning music at age of five. In school, the key to music room would be with me! And i would go & start playing with any musical instrument kept there. Thats how i learned to play many instruments. I can play 10-12 instruments. I have been blessed to have a family who had keen interest in music & that just rubbed on me.
3) Do tell us something about your band & its history.
Maiden Age was my first band. And the year was 1989! There weren't any rock bands in Nagpur at that time & we were the first to experiment with a rock band. I can definitely say that we were the best band in Central India at that time. There was a time when i used to play a guitar for more than 8 hours a day. Such was the passion!
Over the period of time, i was part of many bands. And i am fortunate to meet some very talented people like Atish - our band's drummer , Bass Guitarist Sanjeev, Exceptionally talented guitarist Daniel Arlington - to name a few.
4) How did you get into field of anchoring.
There is a funny-stupid story about me getting into the field of anchoring. (Laughs & goes back into memory lane) During live music performances, i would generally interact with crowd, work up a conversation & do some chit-chat to keep the audience involved.
So my friend Sandeep Baraskar, once called me up and out of the blue asked me to do anchoring for the product launch of Mahindra Scorpio in Nagpur. This was 10 years back. I did not have any experience, but Mr Vilas Kale too backed me. And since then, it has been no looking back!
I am simple guy. Music is my life. (smiles, as simple as that!)
I studied in Nagpur till 6th class after which we moved to Mt Abu. I came back to Nagpur & did my Bcom from Hislop college. I was always good at sports during my academic life. I went on to become footbal U-16 Maharashtra Assistant Coach. Currently i work at St John's Highschool Nagpur as physical education instructor.
2) Tell us something about Your journey into the field of music.
Music has been with me since my childhood. I started learning music at age of five. In school, the key to music room would be with me! And i would go & start playing with any musical instrument kept there. Thats how i learned to play many instruments. I can play 10-12 instruments. I have been blessed to have a family who had keen interest in music & that just rubbed on me.
3) Do tell us something about your band & its history.
Maiden Age was my first band. And the year was 1989! There weren't any rock bands in Nagpur at that time & we were the first to experiment with a rock band. I can definitely say that we were the best band in Central India at that time. There was a time when i used to play a guitar for more than 8 hours a day. Such was the passion!
Over the period of time, i was part of many bands. And i am fortunate to meet some very talented people like Atish - our band's drummer , Bass Guitarist Sanjeev, Exceptionally talented guitarist Daniel Arlington - to name a few.
4) How did you get into field of anchoring.
There is a funny-stupid story about me getting into the field of anchoring. (Laughs & goes back into memory lane) During live music performances, i would generally interact with crowd, work up a conversation & do some chit-chat to keep the audience involved.
So my friend Sandeep Baraskar, once called me up and out of the blue asked me to do anchoring for the product launch of Mahindra Scorpio in Nagpur. This was 10 years back. I did not have any experience, but Mr Vilas Kale too backed me. And since then, it has been no looking back!
I have been part of many shows - Mr & Ms Medico, beauty paegants, product launches. And i have had the pleasure of working with some top notch anchors & celebrities. (Yana Gupta, Sudha Chandran, Mandira Bedi, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh..... The list is unending)
5) Your comments on music scene in Nagpur.
Things have changed a lot. More & more people are taking up music seriously. However there is a need to have a more professional attitude. What i would like to see is more dedication. Be a NUT!
6) One thing you like about Nagpur.
Well, i have been to Mumbai, Calcutta, Bangalore, Goa, Delhi - but i have always come back to my Nagpur. People here have heart. A good heart. And they are always ready to help.
7) What do you dislike about Nagpur.
Lack of english speaking skills! I always say it is the case of either working for MNC or NMC. People do need to be able to converse in english if we are to really make our Nagpur shine on the international map.
8) What would be your message to youngsters who want to excel in Music.
Learn Music, practice & do more practice. Have that passion towards learning & playing music.
I see youngsters growing hair & thinking that they 'know' music (laughs). I would suggest first learn & then grow your hair as long as you want! Dont try to copy anyone. Be Yourself. Be Unique.
5) Your comments on music scene in Nagpur.
Things have changed a lot. More & more people are taking up music seriously. However there is a need to have a more professional attitude. What i would like to see is more dedication. Be a NUT!
6) One thing you like about Nagpur.
Well, i have been to Mumbai, Calcutta, Bangalore, Goa, Delhi - but i have always come back to my Nagpur. People here have heart. A good heart. And they are always ready to help.
7) What do you dislike about Nagpur.
Lack of english speaking skills! I always say it is the case of either working for MNC or NMC. People do need to be able to converse in english if we are to really make our Nagpur shine on the international map.
8) What would be your message to youngsters who want to excel in Music.
Learn Music, practice & do more practice. Have that passion towards learning & playing music.
I see youngsters growing hair & thinking that they 'know' music (laughs). I would suggest first learn & then grow your hair as long as you want! Dont try to copy anyone. Be Yourself. Be Unique.
It was great to talk to you Karl. We hope you will keep entertaining Nagpurians for many many more years to come!
