About Me

Realizing that i have done nothing much in terms of documenting what people think of me I sent out an email to a few hand picked people.

Hi Hi my Favorite People

(forgive the addresses in BCC) I need some cool things said about me- how uncool is that, (eh)! 

and I also need your permission to use what you say in a small piece of documentation stating what some of my favorite human beings had to say about me and my cost/value to the universe (preferably in the context of me being a songwriter, if you think that is a suitable title i thrust upon myself), send me anything from a line to the entire spiel and i will be humble and grateful 

Also let me know if it is ok to share what you said on my blogsite - and if yes please tell me if/how you want your name/location/vocation/website/credentials/bio-data mentioned. I am honored and full of gratitude here are a few new songs on my NEW soundcloud id http://soundcloud.com/tafxkz-1-2011 

Arul (Ta'fxkz) Baliah

Here are their unedited replies. Exception, I asked Vikram if he could add something about my 'contribution to the universe and impact on himself and other people' and I corrected Michael's grammar that suggested that he wrote a poem for me when he meant that he wrote a poem based on a suggestion I made.

My first steps in the world of events were guided by Arul Baliah. In the days of the "ban on live music " in Bangalore he stood steadfast and encouraged musicians to find alternative venues and methods to help them express themselves better. Arul has always had a stringent code that he has created for himself and follows in every decision he makes. This code included "not bribing Government workers" , thus began our struggle to seek permission from the Department of Horticulture, Bangalore to let musicians perform in the parks of the garden city. He has guided me through the ups and downs and instilled ethics that have helped me reach where I am today. Bushra Shariff Heads her own Event Management Company, Groovelore, she is also the Manager of the band The Bicycle Days. She is the person I am most proud of, for having defied social barriers of religion, family and tradition to follow her dreams in rock star and super God proportions.

i don't always 'get' ta'fxkz, nor do i always agree with him. honestly, i do not even always get (or always like) his songs. that said, this is one songwriter i have a lot of respect for, because a) he says what he has to say and b) he gives each song his best go. i have seen him live an uncompromising life on the edge, and let his music evolve to respond to the life-situations he finds himself in. his songs have *character, and i would not change a thing, not even for my listening pleasure. kia kaha my brother, be strong. baruk feddabonn (f)artist, library assistant, house-husband http://feddabonn.com

The most honest and dedicated songwriter I know ...contribution or effects on the universe.. is a BIG question. i like what zappa says that his work does not have to be remembered. (i somehow cant help but talk about zappa in present tense. this is not happening for the first time. so, i have decided to NOT correct my grammar during proof-read). to be very honest, i THINK we all have near-zero contribution to the universe, though it is very essential that we do what we do. so, I would not be able to answer that question. :/ sorry about getting philosophical and not getting to answer your question. ... effect on me and people around him his approach to fulfilling his dreams and songs rub off on people around him, but is a path that few can take. the rest can only admire from a distance. that apart, the perseverance to find one's own creative calling will poke everybody around him to their true selves. Vikram JS Fellow Grubby Halo Member know for Guitar Abuse and Golden Fingers. Currently doing time with The Blues, Information Technology, Business Management and The Blues with a Carnatic Music Flavour http://www.youtube.com/guitar4grub http://www.myspace.com/guitarvik http://www.muziboo.com/vikram/

It takes time to understnd Arul.. Because, his views n opinons are all different... I have learnt alot frm Arul.. And he promised to be my advisor when in the future.. He always has a spl place in my heart.. Arul Baliah.. Is an awesome song writer.. Not every person will understand his songs.. Coz he's unqiue and different in his own way.. The English n vocabulary that he uses is just too good.. So ppl have to listen to the lyrics very careful to understand what he is tryin to convey thru his songs.. And he can become a famous song writer when the right time comes.. Arul, your a spl Fren of mine! You can reach great heights.. :) .. Evangeline Preethi Student of Psychology Singapore... :)

When Cohen composed his first Hallelujah's, Arul was not far away learning and relating to the melancholy of his tune. His imagery is refined and rich in symbols and metaphors, his lyrics embrace the reality of his time much like what the Prophets of old did. He swims against the tide of "instant music", his lyrics are full of life and spirit and it gives substance to authentic culture. Irony and play are always at work when his words fall upon the ear of the listener, making him think and reflect on the deeper issues of life without having read Soren Kierkegaard. To know Arul is an "event", exciting and unpredictable and to encounter his music is to enter into a new world that fills one's soul with hope !!! Rock on !!! Rowan Moses  Student of Comparative Religion and Philosophy,  University of Madras

Arul is one of the most electric, artistic and eccentric sonwriters I know. Never bending to the pressure of normalism. Always willing to try a fresh approach to a song. He has a truly amazing gift for setting music to video, really something to see. I am honored to be his friend. Tom Solanto Singer/Songwriter Levittown, NY, USA

Arul's lyrics are way ahead for todays generation of young people to understand. His hidden meanings and bold statements makes many think and ignore them out of guilt or with a self righteous attitude. His songs reflects truthful emotions from various life experiences to a world that is emotionally growing numb. They are the kind of lyrics, the next generation looks at as a role model for inspiration. Peter Christopher On his journey towards being a storyteller in film, he contributed the video for my song Love Remains

Arul is quite the songwriter, honest, unashamed and brave enough to live upto the words that he sings. I think much of him, being a songwriter myself. He has a knack for his art and has committed himself passionately to it. A rare kind to find. I am not worthy of writing my bio :) You may mention my mentionable points :P Sunil Noronha Singer-songwriter, writer, philosopher, church goer with Martin Lutheian penchant for nailing 90 page or longer theses. http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=313975 http://www.sunilsongs.blogspot.com & http://www.glfmt.com

"Words, simple and some, simpler - all woven in such grandeur; Intricate display of networking in every sentence, a rush of emotions flowing through celebrated ideas, humour and satire to gift wrap it all and throw it onto faces and get those bulbs on their heads to light up - All in self-realization. That is the kinda art that The Fix (aka Arul/Rule) wears.  It's a knack, a lovely accessory you just got from a designer store, or a new Italian dress or a real bust - That's the way he flaunts it, and, boy, that does get your attention with his hard hitting strings along with half a Robert Plant's screech ringing and mixing into a wild raucous beat clinging on to every strand of your hair on you ear! Mentor, inventor, tormentor, genius, weirdo, uncle, friend - Oh, these things fit his resume too. Keep up the good work Arul! Cheerios!" Karthik Nagarajan Guitarist (Hendrixian Blues Man), Poet, Photographer, Corporate Misfit  and the most faithful attendee of every event i hosted for musicians , songwriters and artists. He is incidentally an engineer by virtue of failing to be expelled from Engineering School. http://www.flickr.com/photos/karthinkagain

You were great company on Facebook and Orkut. Never spoken to you face to face...but we have had discussions about anything and everything under the sun through the net. You helped me out when I found  a helpless baby squirrel. Gave good tips, that helped me keep it alive and it grew nice and strong in no time. You were there keeping me going with the encouraging words, during the highs and lows when I was a school teacher. You even wrote a song about the crappy time I had there. So much more, I would like to type, if not for my sprained hand! nikhila krishnamurthy Nikhila played bass for the band Venator that was also famed (much to the band members dislike of the label) for their girl-growler. She is an artist and has contributed  many drawings to illustrate my crazy  ideas, to liven up the Bangalore music scene. She is proof that insanity is a gift, and profanity is just a punctuation mark.

Arul "Ta'fxkz"  Baliah has a pretty interesting take on life in general.  There's a quirky sense in his writing that actually make you take notice of his lyrics.  You can agree with him or not, but I give him full points for being able to write what's in his mind - and to be fearless about the themes he takes on. Naveen Prashantham, Friend

Arul is like the song in the wilderness. Most of us say his songs are good and great...very few enjoy them completely. the songs give different meanings to different people. I think that is his success as a song writer. I share a few things in common with arul, but we agree to disagree... He really made me think differently.... his challenges are radical. Whenever i meet him i want to quit what i am doing now and do my passionate projects. The very few projects we did together were really challenging and refreshing. I really want to translate all his songs into Tamil... but at his speed i am sure he will be writing Tamil songs too. The word pictures, the metaphors and the phrases he uses are unique to the english language.... that's why i am reluctant to mutilate them by translation. He encourages me a lot to try new things....The extempore poetry in Tamil i wrote based on arul's suggestion was one of my best poems and it appeared in one of the literary magazines. I think he should be a little bit flexible and i wish he should be in another place where his talents will be appreciated. But I am sure the frustrations he is facing in his present situation are the source of most of his master pieces. Most of the time i wanted to write like Arul and i tried some of his style in my Tamil writing. But he is the one who encourages me to be myself. Michael Raj Writer, Songwriter and facilitator of youth movements (in Churches). Working on translating books to Tamil, dabbling in visual media has a religious and mainstream publishing record of over 20 years with over 50 songs and countless articles. Contributor of over 60 articles for the Tamil, Encyclopaedia Britannica. Translates technical essays for NIZHAL (Tamil Nadu Short Movies and Documentaries Association) http://micyell.com

"Arul Baliah is a strange, difficult and rare man... a critical outsider. As a singer-songwriter, his writes 'cries', rather than songs. Consequently it seems as absurd to judge his work for success as it would be to ask if one's cry could be good or polished or marketable. Those who hear something resonant within it, do. Others simply won't. His lyrics are mud-stained, protest poetry with the smell of the pavement. His tunes are quotidian, like old newsprint wrapped on street food. But like the wily hawker, he is always alert for ways to share what he does with other fellow fringe wanderers... those still interested in asking for the sake of their own generations, what honesty, justice, truth and redemption have to do with art and life. I can only say, that the world doesn't have enough of them." - Bryan Richard (musician, writer, theatre critic with Time Out Bangalore)

Tafzkz has been my mentor and guide for almost two years now, and one of my very good friends. I find his life a testimony to his work, and find myself frequently drawn to him when I need to be pulled down to earth. He has 'sub-zero' tolerance for bullshit, including his own and that makes me bounce ideas off him, when I'm not really sure where they're coming from. I know that his work is not limited to his music, going by the number of people he has motivated and challenged to aspirations beyond the material. I personally find his music to be a reality-check, something I use to put things in perspective when the surrounding banter becomes too loud and too invasive. Its too easy for your vision of reality to become diluted, polluted when all you see, all you hear is a sales pitch, in one form or the other. Tafxkz is my island of honesty and what is real. And a damn good friend. Nishal (Software Engineer)