About the Book:
As a child, Biddu dreamt of going west and making it big as a composer. At the age of sixteen, he formed a band and started playing in a cafe in Bangalore, his home town, At eighteen, he was part of a popular act at Trinca's, a nightclub in Calcutta devoted to food, wine and music, At nineteen, he had college students in Bombay dancing to his music.In his early twenties, he left the country and ended up hitchhiking across the Middle East before arriving in London with only the clothes on his back and his trusty guitar. What followed were years of hardship and struggle but also great music and gathering fame. From the nine million selling "Kung Fu Fighting" to the iconic youth anthem of "Made in India" and the numerous hits in between. Biddu's music made him a household name in India and elsewhere.
In this first public account of all that came his way: the people, the events,the music tours and companies Biddu writes with a gripping sense of humor about his remarkable journey with its fairy tale ending. Charming, witty, and entirely likable, Biddu is a man you are going to enjoy getting to know.
Price: Rs 295 (I got mine as a review copy) | You Can Get Your Copy HERE
About the Author:
Biddu was born in India, where he started his career playing in a pop band whose influences lay in the classic repertoire of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Following his early success, he decided to hear West and move into the international music arena. He struck gold, signing the unknown Carl Douglas and producing "Kung fu Fighting?" which went on to become a hit all over the world. He also wrote and produced hits for Tina Charles and soul legend Jimmy James.Around this time, Biddu became involved in Indian music: he composed the cult "Aap Jaise Koi" for the film Qurbani which set a new landmark for sales in India He followed this up with a pop album, Disco Deewane, with Nazia Hassan, which became the largest selling pop album in Asian history, and was the first Indian album to hit the charts in fourteen countries. In 1995, Biddu wrote and produced the three-million-selling album Made in India with the singer Alisha Chinai. To date, Biddu has sold over thirty-eight million records worldwide.
The Review:
The minute I heard that there was an opportunity to read the life story of the man who gifted us 90s kids the catchy tune, "Made in India", I decided to read it. I am not a huge fan of non-fiction, and I have only read a handful of memoirs (most as requirements for my coursework), but except for Cheaper by the Dozen, none of them were read out of my own free will.
Nonetheless, when I began reading Made in India ~ Adventures of a Lifetime, I could help but be drawn in the witty narrative. After awhile you feel that you've known this music composer for life, and he's letting into the dark side of success - the struggle. People notice you when you've made something of yourself. They never tend to see the process of you slowly climbing the ladder of success - and that was precisely the part Biddu wanted to show his loyal fans/readers.
Much of his stories are centered in Bombay and Kolkata, and I being a resident of the latter, and in somewhat of an awe of the former, was very interested to know what life was like and what those cities were like in the 60s. Being born at a time when taking up offbeat career paths was a rare thing, it is not surprising how hard he had to work to become the person he is today.
I especially hold in high esteem anyone who does not take the run-of-the-mill career path, but dares to follow their dreams. And Biddu chasing his dreams in London with only three pounds takes the cherry on top of the cake!
Read this book if you want to know what caused this man to introduce India to IndiPop music, and how he did it. It's always good to know even if the road ahead is not easy, the journey is always memorable.
My Verdict:
Giveaway Details:
- 1 Gift Voucher : $10 Amazon GV or INR 500 Flipkart GV (Winner’s Choice)
- Paperback copy of Made in India by Biddu
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