Sufi rain's supreme!

He is the soulful voice behind chart-topping numbers  like Saibo (Shor in the City), Iktara (Wake Up Sid)  and Kabira (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani.) among many others. Tochi Raina’s earthy tone hits the right note, and tugs at your heartstrings – every single time he takes to the mic.

And, this time around, fans in Bengaluru, Gurgaon and Pune can treat themselves to a soulful evening of his choicest renditions – at  The three-city tour (Bengaluru, Gurgaon and Pune) slated to take place on July 12, 13 and 19 respectively. Artist Aloud is organising its maiden tour, Sufi Acoustica, featuring Tochi Raina and his band, Band of Bandagi.

“I’ll be performing with my  band which features my students Neeru Rawal, and Maninder. A few other talented students will be accompanying me to the tour in the other cities like Pune and Gurgaon,” begins Tochi.

Giving us insider details on what makes this project close to his heart, he elucidates, “It has taken me almost 28 years to bring forth a product like this with the Band of Bandagi only in 2018. It’s a unique project. The concert isn’t just about music, I’d like to bring forth the smell of the soil through the concert, as I feel it’s important to spread the message as it is fading away in today and not many people care about it, anymore.”

Tochi has tasted mamoth success up in the North. But. he has his favourites, too.  “When it comes to performing Sufiana, I like  Rajasthan and Punjab. But, in order to get the pulse of today’s generation, I love places like Bengaluru and Calcutta.”  

Indeed, Bengaluru holds a special place in his heart. He says, “I love how the listeners shower me with a lot of love. The openess in the audience is truly very motivating, I’ve only had great experiences here, as people come to actually listen, as an artist it’s very improtant for me to perform in front of people who actually listen.I always sing my heart out when Im in the ooru.”

Looking forward to collaborations, “When two artistes collaborate, it is about their journeys crossing paths. For me, a collaboration is not just a mechanical process where two artists meet, discuss ideas and record. It doesn’t work that way for me. That said, I have always loved encouraging and connecting with new talens,” signs the Sufi-jazz maverick, who is also currently working on an untitled commercial film’s music, and an album with his band. Tochi Raina and Band of Bandagi will  perform at Hard Rock Cafe on July 13.