In the vibrant late 1980s, a group of enthusiastic youngsters in Thiruvananthapuram gathered to watch the annual Grammy Awards. Inspired by the dazzling spectacle and performances, a spark ignited within them, especially among those who were already learning musical instruments. This shared dream quickly led to the formation of ‘The Gypsies’, a rock-pop band that would go on to captivate the capital’s music scene for the next decade.
Fast forward twenty-five years since their separation, and the original members of The Gypsies are now converging from various corners of the globe. They are set to host a much-anticipated reunion concert at the Vyloppilly Samskrithi Bhavan on October 17th, starting at 7 p.m.
Martin, the band’s vocalist and bassist, fondly recalls the early days: “Back then, Thiruvananthapuram offered very few platforms for rock or pop music, so our beginnings were quite a struggle. However, a turning point came when filmmaker Shyamaprasad arranged for us to perform in two shows on Doordarshan. These broadcasts proved instrumental, opening numerous doors for the band. In 1989, we even had the honor of composing ‘Memories’ for G. Aravindan’s film, Unni. Throughout that era, up until around 2000, we regularly played at popular city venues like Hotel Luciya and the ITDC Ashok Beach Resort in Kovalam.”
The Gypsies
Beyond Martin, the band comprised lead guitarist Ravi Kumar, keyboardist Shiju Kurien, drummer Nazar, and vocalist Luke Varghese. Primarily known for their vibrant covers and a sprinkle of original compositions, The Gypsies eventually disbanded, much like many other groups, as members pursued careers that took them both within and outside India.
“As we all began to age,” Martin reflects, “we realized it was high time for a reunion, purely for old times’ sake. In an era where most bands faded after just a few years, we proudly maintained our presence for over a decade. That, in itself, is certainly something worth celebrating.”