Rocking from Switzerland to India

Take a look at the young man in the photograph. He is Swiss. Yeah, even we did a double take like you.
But it''s true, John Prakesh is from Switzerland. However, if you hear him speak the Queen''s language, you will have no choice but to believe that he is Swiss! Nevertheless, John has an Indian connection. He was born in Kumbakonam, on September 12, 1979.
The abandoned baby was later shifted to St Thomas Hospital, Chennai.A Swiss couple adopted John when he was six months old. And this August 7, he will be returning to the land of his birth for the first time.
John Prakesh is the founder of the rock band Prakesh, which is currently rocking Switzerland. John''s interest in music dates back to the time when he was knee high. He gave his first performance when he was 10. In 1998, he formed his first heavy metal band called Lorden. However, the band was dismantled soon. Then the band Prakesh was formed.� John plays the drums, the guitar, writes and composes music.
In 2001 John felt an urge to touch base with his roots. In an exclusive interview with Bangalore Times, John says, “I wanted to take my music to the land of my birth. My music is the culmination of my emotions, feelings and thoughts.� The next day, the family logged on to the Net to find a way out. “We found the site of Music Magazine run by Suchitra Ramakrishnan in Bangalore. My parents flew down to Bangalore to meet Suchitra who helped us to get in touch with Chris Avinash of Wishbone Music. One thing led to another and before I knew the deal was struck and I boarded the flight to India.�
Undoubtedly this trip is going to be an emotional one for John, especially when he plays for the children at St Thomas Hospital, where he spent the first six months of his life. “From the beginning I knew I was an adopted child. I have four siblings. Two of my sisters were adopted from India. I never felt out of place in Switzerland. I never had any problems because of my dark skin. Though I think I was the first dark-skinned recruit in the Swiss Army. Funny! I had a very happy childhood. I never tried to get in touch with my biological parents. I have absolutely no connection with my roots in India. Nevertheless, I am sure some bond will be formed during my visit,� hopes John.
“I think the audience in India will enjoy listening to European influenced rock music, performed by a Swiss man born in India. Also, for the first time a Swiss band will be performing along with an Indian band (Angel Dust). I think it is all worth it and will be successful,� he says.
His enthusiasm is infectious. His zest for life is peppered with a kind of wide-eyed innocence that''s refreshing. When a grownup man says, “I love my bob tail dog Bacina, she sings my songs with me,� you can''t help but like him — even if you are not a flag-bearer for rock music.