PRAMITA BOSE
How did you break into Bollywood as a composer and that too with a plum offer from the sequel to a successful franchise like Tanu Weds Manu ? Tell us something about the song ‘ Banno Tera Swagger ’.
It may sound a bit cliché but Bollywood was always my dream destination since childhood . Later on while working with my dad ( music arranger Nanda Kumar ) I had by default come across its musical magic and eventually pursued the same as my future career . Initially , I got into the remix zone soon after landing in Mumbai and did a couple of tracks from the reputed label of Times Music . During this period , I also gained a grip of good knowledge on sound production which in turn had granted me a scope to create my own music into the desired direction . Gradually after seven years of constant composing and producing music , things seemed to fall in place . By a sudden stroke of good luck , I just happened to meet Vayu Srivastav , who already wrote a string of songs and was willing to work with me . So I floated a small duo project called Oopar Ooopar and together we released it online on the Youtube . Well your guess is simply bang on ! Yes , this is the song which finally got us to the doorsteps of eminent filmmakers Anand . L . Ray sir and Anurag Kashyap sir . It so happened that after getting a call from Anand sir through a common friend named Ravi Adhikari — who had actually played an instrumental role in enabling us to reach the much-coveted platform of Tanu Weds Manu Returns — we both by the blessing of God , could luckily manage to create the song ‘ Banno ’ which clicked in our favour .
The number is frankly our ticket to this big entertainment industry and would forever remain an asset in our lives . You see , certain songs are life-changers . They give us our name and the confidence to find a toehold in our chosen fields . It means a lot for us as we two small town guys could live up to our parents ’ unspoken expectations . It is indeed nothing short of a miracle to us .
You also impressed your fans big-time with the foottapping track ‘ Samandar ’ from funny-man Kapil Sharma ’ s muchanticipated debut vehicle , Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon . Seems you are already on a roll . What do you have to say ?
Working with Abbas-Mastaan sir ( well-known film director duo Abbas Burmawalla and Mastaan Burmawalla ) and Hussainbhai ( editor Hussain Burmawalla ) was yet another step forward for me . Believe it or not , the ‘ Samandar ’ song was merely lying in the trash bin of my desktop and the very same song had me catapulted to the team of Kis Kis Ko Pyaar Karoon . Add to this , the awesome music-video which was a big surprise for me ! You see , everything fitted so perfectly as if my song has just filled in a row of predetermined blanks . I mean I can ’ t thank the entire crew enough for providing me with this huge opportunity to work upon . Am honestly so grateful ( smiles !) And the icing on the cake came in the form of super entertainer Kapil Sharma , whose fans are spread all over the world .
Were you fond of music since a formative age ? Can you trace back those days from your memory ?
Well ever since I remember I was always a part of music no matter whatever I was into . Ripples of rhythm and tunes were always rolling inside me because of my dad and mom .
How have the yesteryear masters influenced your musical consciousness ?
I am greatly inspired by the works of musical luminaries like Madan Mohanji , R . D . Burman sir , Ilayaraja sir , Salil Chowdhury sir and of course my dad , who helped me learn from my mistakes and all the common errors that a budding composer tends to make . The most vital lesson he hitherto taught me is how to convert a bad note into an ear-soothing tune so that it melts a million hearts . I always stick to his advice and suggestions which are like precious pointers in my musical growth .
How would you define your own taste of music ? What inspires you as a musician ?
Versatility is a key factor to reap rewards in this industry . And I walk with an open mind to absorb any slight wind of change and variety that frequently blows in through the windows of our eyes and ears . Fact is , your sensory receptors have to grab those ‘ new-waves ’ and put an intent of innovation to your thoughts . Thus , you are able to find new ways to express yourself through music . As a musician , life always inspires me . This apart , my past , present and the future lend me that requisite energy and emotions to create music .
Are you attuned to world music ? Which artistes ’ body of work you deeply admire and why ?
Yes very much indeed ( smiles )! I ’ m always connected to it . In this era , you can ’ t be clueless about world music . I am a die-hard devotee of the everlasting American musical genius Quincy Jones and our very own Mozart of Madras A . R . Rahman sir . For me , they are the ‘ Wright Brothers ’ and ‘ Einstein ’ of music .
You are also technically trained in music and have a strong background in sound engineering with a firm grip on the latest softwares and hardwares . Enlighten us a bit on this and how has your technical knowhow helped you chase your passion ?
Sound has always been my passion . True . So I kept updating myself with the latest technology available on different software bases . Basically , I learnt on the job you may say through trial and error . I picked up all these advanced versions of gears and mechanisms from my first PC ( personal computer ) to my current Mac ( notebook laptops ). I began with the Cool Edit Pro and then slowly shifted to Cakewalk , Cubase , Nuendo , Digital Performer and finally landed on the Logic Pro . Coming to the hardware horizon , I can only assert that hardwares are my weaknesses like a tray of sinfully delicious pastries and chocolates . Korg products ( a Japanese MNC which manufactures electronic musical instruments , audio processors , guitar pedals , recording equipment and electronic tuners ) are my all-time favourite machines to fiddle with and recently , the Roli ’ s Seaboard ( a rubberkeyed digital piano ) which is a MIDI controller is my current love .
You have explored and experimented with various musical genres . Cite your favourite example from the collection .
Working with the mutli-talented Shashaa Tirupati ( Bollywood playback singer , songwriter and voice-over artiste of Indo-Canadian origin ) on an Indian classical trap version will obviously be my top favourite . And the rest of my repertoire amounts to everything that I have created as a team effort and is an integral part of my whole learning process .
Are you interested in creating a new genre of music ? What would it be like ?
Well , I can never create ... I can only revive music by putting a lot of love , heart , passion , care and affection in it . Nothing can be bred as new I suppose . It can only be brought back to life and on that note , I am a doctor by heart , and music is my medicine .
Tell us something about your musical collaborations with a host of international artistes from London , Boston and New York .
I have worked with artistes like Kenneth Stuart Stringfellow alias Ken Stringfellow ( ace American singer , songwriter , multi-instrumentalist , arranger and producer ), Shammy Salickram ( aka Mr . Shammi who is a soca music artiste from Trinidad ), the famous hip hop-EDM duo Raool , who in turn is a Konvict Muzik artiste under Akon ( the worldwide popular American rapper , songwriter , businessman , record producer and the co-founder of Konvict Muzik label alongwith Melvin Brown ) and of course , Shashaa Tirupati who hails from Canada .
What about an album in independent music ?
Well , I am always ambitious about the thriving indie music scene . But albums have to wait for the time being as am now more focused on forging an independent band by merging with the established outfit of Vayu which deals with semi-classical and Sufi rock fusion flavours . We have decided to call this new amalgamation , Tava Fry .
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