Max was born, in Jaipur, India as Qarin Onkar Nehru-Gandhi, within one of the most powerful political families known. He was raised to excel and stand above all others as one who may, one day, follow in his father’s footsteps. Max naturally absorbed political principles, but later, just as naturally, grew repulsed by that arena's patterns. His father became frustrated by his only son’s hardheadedness and lack of loyalty in refusing to follow the well-planned paths he’d plotted for him. Max received daily beatings, hoping such raw discipline would break him out of falling short of perfection.
Max obeyed, followed along to avoid the attacks. Soon, to avoid being touched by anyone he isolating himself with his personal studies in music and medicine, and drugs; anything to hide from his father and the pains of seeing his mother’s disappointment. At the age of 13, as soon as he graduated from school and packed up to start his studies and training in the military academy, Max went awol. He joined a bunch of other young boys who were forced to join the academy, and they found their way to Delhi to find jobs and create a life of their own.
One of his new brothers found a club looking for workers. They were all hired there, which gave them a place to work, and the owners allowed them to live in the apartments upstairs. They lived and worked there for several years, making enough to start secondary school with financial aid. All of them soon started college around the ages of 18 – 20.
During Max’s 2
nd year in college, he met a young woman, Bianka Alling, who seemed to know more about him and his family than he did. Her mysteriously striking features and knowing presence were familiar, like an old dream, and took control of him. He couldn't figure out why. Max was hooked but realized that Bianka was far out of his league. She was wise beyond her years, intelligent about topics he had no clue about, and just carried herself three steps above him. Max never understood why her presence around him had such an impact on his life. It was as if he’d found the only friend he’s ever needed – which seriously caused strife between him and his best friend Nitesh. But even Nitesh could not get over the refreshing peace and relaxation he felt around her. Besides, Bianka became a major aid for the guys when dealing with situations they were unfamiliar with.
One night, after cleaning up, Max decided to play with one of the guitars – and the others joined in, picking up random instruments they knew how to play. Not knowing one of the owners was close by they began to play several songs. Max and one of his older play-brother, Nitesh, began to sing. That is how
Khoj Arth was born.
They started to perform in the club as
Khoj Arth(Find Meaning) with Max and Nitesh as lead and backup vocals. Bianka assisted the group by adding her vocals from time to time, but mostly proving her worth to the guys by becoming their manager, quickly overthrowing the club owners who attempted to manage the band in order to cheat them out of their potential. Through Bianka, they were able to maintain their respect and living arrangements with the club owners, while building and promoting their little group. Through Bianka’s creativity in promotions, she helped both the band and the club to become the hottest thing ever in India.
Eventually, they landed a record deal and began tours throughout Asia and soon Europe. It was a dream-come-true for them all until their fame gave way to their location and their parents found them.
Luckily, ten years had passed. They were all of age with similar stories of parental abuse. Bianka’s quick legal thinking gave the parents a way out of jail time by them settling on leaving their famous sons alone. If they left them to their own lives, the truth to their upbringing would not leak to the press or authorities to ruin their political careers. So, all the parents agreed to the arrangement – all except for Max’s father. With his political reputation now tarnished with Max’s stories of abuse, his father was determined to erase his disrespectful son’s lies by any means necessary. His father’s desperate need to eliminate his son caused the band to break up after seven years. Death threats towards their families forced this. So, knowing he was the cause, Max chose to leave the band much to his play brothers' disbelief and frustration. Nitesh and Bianka left with him, for they didn’t want Max to hide alone.
Together, they made their way to England to live with Nitesh’s English girlfriend’s family until they were able to make their way. Max changed his name and returned to college, graduating quickly with music and production degrees, and Nitesh studied business management and Cyber Security. Bianka entered college as well to graduate two years earlier than the guys with a business and accounting degree. With a loyal fandom calling out for more KA, the group decided to return to the stage. Nitesh talked Max and Bianka into traveling to America with him and his girlfriend, Melissa, knowing they could bring back the return on KA – this time, with an updated sound. Nitesh’s plans returned the rest of the band – most of the members were already living in America. They reconnected and began
Above Beyond, touring for a while until other personal issues caused the band to separate once more. Friendships still remain.
Max, Bianka, Nitesh and Melissa (now married), and two other members of the original band worked together to help promote Max as a solo artist, but Max preferred just to produce and write music for his brothers and allowed them to take the spotlight. Therefore, the members worked together on a new project – coffeehouses. They created
Above Beyond Brewhouse in Sarasota, Florida, which brews and sells an assortment of American, English, and Indian brewed beverages – alcohol and non-alcoholic.
Other:
~ Chicory brewing
Max is a connoisseur of all the things you can do with the many strains of the Chicory plant--its leaves, hearts, and roots--and its derivatives. In particular, the brewing of Chicory as a coffee using ground roasted hearts and infusions of the leaves, in varying combinations taken from different strains or hybrids, is one of Max’s favorite pastimes.
~ Max loves beers from around the world - studying their processes and ingredients to create new blends of old and new world flavors.
~ Max plays the guitar, sitar, piano, and various Indian flutes. He sings in an Alto 1 – Tenor 2 – Baritone 2 vocal range.
~ Even though Max can't stand his father, he wishes things could be different because he misses his mother. He knew she was being abused as well, but she refused to disobey her husband to keep her son safe. And even though she disagreed with Max's life decisions, when they found him after the creation of KA, she's been secretly sending him letters and money monthly to keep in contact. She wishes to see her son again but fears what might happen to her if she attempts to divorce her husband and flee to America. This is what fuels Max's depression. He's created a name for himself hoping to help his mother escape his father and the political world.
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