Your association with Rahmansaab proved to be a winning combination for the music fraternity as it churned out some captivating chartbusters and even went onto win an Oscar on international stage . What do you think spells fireworks for you two ?
It ’ s the comfort level and understanding of each other I suppose . Currently , he is undoubtedly one of the best composers we have on the board of global music . But once he finishes off with his scores , he allows me to toy with that bulk output and live with it for some time , before okaying it for recording at the studios . In between , Gulzar sahib adds his magical Midas touch with the pen to that tuneful creation . See , every song has three basic components which make it a success . Song composer , lyricist and last but not the least , the singer — all three departments are extremely important to the job and must unanimously arrive at a consensus to be on the same page . As for the three of us , we are very secure with one another and trust our trio ’ s synergies completely to match our wavelengths and decisions . If suggestions pour in , they are accepted with an open mind and with full confidence . Although the creative field is believed to be highly territorial , still it is essential to remain amenable towards accepting ideas from your colleagues and teammates to reap benefits .
But don ’ t you think , prestigious gongs like an Academy Award and a Grammy recognition for the song ‘ Jai Ho ’ could have prompted a bright , promising career for you on the world-pitch with important collaborations ( with universally acclaimed artistes ) or as an independent soloist for that matter ?
You see , I was already singing for international films , for example , Inside Man , Bombay Dreams , Million Dollar Arms and other similar projects . I do have an international fan following and keep doing shows in Australia , USA , Canada and across the European belt where apart from Indian expats , white spectators congregate to delight in my concerts . Yeah , I can ’ t deny the accolades and a pervasive platform that Slumdog Millionaire ’ s ‘ Jai Ho ’ and its ensuing Academy Award feat has brought me and I ’ m sincerely happy for that . Especially because the song was in Hindi and the lines were written by none other than Gulzarsaab . It is very much our song , a desi creation . However my identity in music is accredited to the Indian film industry where I belong to and my fellow compatriots hold me in highest regard and esteem . For me , music is my passion and soul . So whether it ’ s Bollywood or Hollywood , quality music irrespectively finds a peak seat on my priority list .
Is an album in the works ?
Frankly speaking , launching an album is almost like making music for a film . It is as demanding and equally challenging , may be a little more creative since it lacks that extra edge of a film ’ s storyline and its valuable casting of actors . On the other hand , a private non-film album is solely embraced on the basis of its musical content . Besides my debut albumMunda South Hall da , I did unveil a single called ‘ Aatish Para ’ which dealt with the issue of child labour and dignity , and was well-appreciated amongst the industrywallahs plus music lovers in general . We had released it digitally . Singles have become a trend of sorts now which is an appreciative sign . I have yet another concept on paper and have been dabbling in it for quite sometime now . It ’ s a full on commercial entertainer .
With mainstream Bollywood monopolizing every musical realm , does India have much to offer in its independent category ?
You have assessed this quite correctly as the bracket of indie music has palpably limited space but we still have some satisfactory work springing out from the bedrock of original , free-spirited music . We can certainly boast of some very good independent singers despite Hindi movie music ruling the roost on a pan-Indian plane . On the contrary , if you look at the scenario abroad , any good piece of music gets an equal place of significance whereas Indian music is predominantly represented by Bollywood and routinely generates films comprising music and melodies in enormous proportion . Since cinema has its own expansive appeal and impact , it absorbs the maximum market share . Also with digitalization , accessibility has increased . Now every first-class work of music is quickly able to reach its listeners more effectively .
What about experimental music and the band scene in India as many music fests are still patronizing and rooting for independent voices ?
Yes , music festivals are like oxygen to independent voices as well as experimentation in music which is conducive to its growth and overall development . So there are bands on national as well as local podiums as Indians in generic are blessed with music in their DNA . Add to this , the nation ’ s assorted social fabric which prides in an unlimited room for different types of music in different regional languages . Bands like Parikrama , Indian Ocean and Pentagram have thus survived the onslaughts of changes and thrived over the years . And as a case in point , singers like Raghu Dixit , Vasu Dixit ( of Bengaluru ’ s folk-fusion band Swarathma fame ), Palash Sen , Mansi Scot , Sneha Pant , Anushka Manchanda have their own fan following as powerful independent performers . So on a positive note , they have been there and done that and are hopefully here to stay for many more seasons ahead .
Do you feel there should be a resurgence of indie-pop like the 1990s ’ decade when a host of solo careers with the likes of Alisha Chinai , Gary Lawyer , Remo Fernandes , Baba Sehgal , Daler Mehndi took a to a meteoric rise ?
Indie-pop in the 1990s rose to dizzying heights in absence of a global reach . Some of them had even exercised mass-hysteria but today world music is easily available at one ’ s finger tips at the click of a mouse . You just need to browse the net and Youtube at your sweet will . People are invariably downloading stuff on the I-pods or as caller tunes on their mobilephones , much to
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