Hi, everyone! We are excited to be part of the book tour for Biddu's Made in India, that's being hosted by our friend DDS over at B00k R3vi3ws. Without much ado, let's get on to the post that we have for you.
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.
Book links:
Excerpt from the book:
For a brief millisecond I thought the man was looking for a bribe. (You can take the boy out of India, but you can’t take India out of the boy.)
‘Twenty-two pounds, sir,’ I said, flushing out the money and placing it in front of him.
‘This won’t last you more than a week,’ he said. And for the first time a smile of sorts escaped his features; it was a supercilious smirk.
‘I believe you are here to find employment.’ That stern look was back on his face. ‘I’m afraid I can’t let you into the country.’
That remark hit me with the force of a Mohammed Ali uppercut. A thousand and one nights of hopes and dreams dashed by the reality of a country’s immigration laws. Everything I had worked for, every iota of desire to come to England and finally all that hitchhiking through the Middle East and selling of my blood in Kuwait were being thwarted by the whim of one man. I was close to breaking down. My future was no longer hanging in the balance of his capriciousness. He had given his answer. I could not enter Britain, the land of my former masters.
I had to think; and fast. All that blood, sweat and tears for nothing?
‘I do have some more money with me,’ I lied in desperation. ‘Show me,’ he said, as succinct as one can get.
‘I have it in my travel bag. I’ll go and get it.’ I smiled back at his grave demeanour.
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
"AapJaise 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.
Giveaway:
Enter to win-
*1 Gift Voucher : $10 Amazon GV
or INR 500 Flipkart GV (Winner’s Choice)
*Paperback copy of Made in India
by Biddu
