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The aim of Utah-based Desibels is to connect local audiences to the root of their music: Indian culture. The band, comprising eight core members and several rotating musicians, was founded nearly two decades ago with the intent to ensure that both traditional Indian music and the increasingly popular sounds gracing the silver screens in the Bollywood film industry were part of Indian cultural celebrations taking place in Utah.

"Music is part of life in India," said vocalist/guitarist Hari Kumar, one of the band's founding members. "Every event, any celebration, any part of life, goes along with the music."

Desibels' repertoire features two forms of primary classical music that exist in India and are typically found in the scores of Bollywood films. Desibels dedicate the majority of their performances to cover songs they often rework from these films. They have entertained the idea of writing their own songs, but currently focus on dedicating their time to educating the local community — and continuing traditions — through existing music.

"India is known for its vibrant culture," said vocalist Krithika Mohan. "If you look up India, the first thing that comes up is the diverse culture it has. In our band, we try to give a flavor from each of our cultures. All of us are from India, but each of us speaks a different language. We are able to bring that together in our band and play it for the audience."

The group brings its energetic sounds to Bollywood Comes to Daybreak Friday night, performing as part of the free, family-oriented event. Gearing up for the performance, the group said music is a crucial part of Bollywood filmmaking.

"Bolly movies are all musical. Every movie is about 2 ½ to 3 hours long, and each movie has 10-12 songs," said vocalist Sourabh Sinha. "The movie's stars will dance and sing. Bollywood movies have a flavor of India in the sense that it picks up from different regions of India and tries to assimilate that into different festivities and occasions to celebrate in their lives. Because television is still a primary source of entertainment in remote villages, these songs reach out all over India and become very popular."

The Desibels put their own twist on the songs they perform by combining music from India with Western sounds. The enormous range of musical scales that originate in Indian music allows for the band to get as creative as it likes.

"A major scale or minor scale are just one or two of thousands of scales called raga," Kumar said. "Each raga has got a unique mood and sense that it can bring, and the songs that are created in these scales create a very unique flavor."

The ability to work within the vast scale options of traditional Indian music has generated great opportunity for Desibels in Utah. The band performs regularly at Indian festivals and events around the state. Its music has graced the stage of everything from large-scale community events to family celebrations. Members of the group also participate in teaching in music schools and educating kids in the local community, as well as encouraging the Utah Indian Idol competition, where Desibels has performed.

Ultimately, they seek to instill a sense of tradition within the local Indian community while also introducing individuals outside their community to new sounds. And they are sure to have fun while doing it.

"Our audience is a mix of local Americans as well as the Indian community," said percussionist Madhusudanan Amborummal. "We try to bring up music that people can easily relate to by connecting it back to its root and bring the flavor of India back to the community." —

At Bollywood Comes to Daybreak

When • Friday, July 28; 8:20 p.m.

Where • SoDa Row, 11241 S. Kestrel Rise Road, South Jordan

Admission • Free