.
Kenyan rock band set out on a quest to find where Kenyan
talent comes from. While you can always argue that it is inborn in all of us,
there are those place that nurture it. So KRB has been up and about, magnifying
glass in hand, wearing reliable boots and those khaki shorts. You know the ones
game hunters used to wear?
First stop was the
Kenyan Poets Lounge. The place is so inconspicuous you would not think it
mattered much. A tiny sign post points
to what looks like an average office building. Nestled in Nairobi’s Milimani
suburbs off statehouse road, Pawa 254 is a place awash with Kenyan artistic
talent.
A story is told of how the idea came to life. Fatuma is a
50-year-old woman who has been dumb all her life. Dumb meaning she cannot
speak. Because of this, she cannot easily communicate and express herself. Luckily,
people have come to her rescue. Her friends help Fatuma express herself by voicing
what she cannot and they do this without expecting anything in return.
This story explains what Pawa 254 and its parent organization,
Fatuma’s voice, are about. Organizers intended it to be a platform for young
people to express themselves; talk about what is affecting society and possible
solutions to these problems. This is art with a conscience. This art is conscious.
Pawa 254 gives poets, musicians and spoken word artists a platform to share
their work with each other and the world. Each week has a different theme which
artists follow in coming up with their various works. The sessions start with a
lively debate on the topic at hand.
 |
| the pawa 254 audience discussing importance of literacy |
If you are worried about the calibre of performers you will
find their, don’t. This is no kindergarten recital. The poets especially were
very impressive and so were musicians. One, Acouslyk
impressed thoroughly at the beginning of September with his fingerstyle guitar.
Of course, some artists struggle. Pawa has been the debut
event for several new Kenyan artists and the crowd is forgiving of the occasional
blunder. These performers are often just beginning to find their way in the
industry. It provides a way of networking and experimenting with sounds and
ideas. Hart the Band is one act this place has helped to develop and they
intend to help more.
Pawa goes down every Saturday from 5.30 pm. Damage is 100
bob. Check it out sometime.
