There ’ s this trend of picking popular compositions of classical music and popularising in a different manner . What ’ s your take on this ?
I haven ’ t seen this trend of picking classical compositions , but there ’ s definitely a trend of picking popular songs from the sixties , seventies , and eighties … and re-packaging them with a new contemporary rhythm . I think it ’ s alright if it ’ s done as a novelty now and then , but too much of anything eventually gets boring . It also conveys a message that these music label companies may not entirely trust their composers and their individual visions . There needs to be a balance . New compositions should generally be encouraged as there ’ s only so much that you can play on the audience ’ s nostalgia from the past .
Your Language diction is impeccable-whether you sing Telugu , Tamil , Hindi . What is the secret behind understanding the diction to perform ?
The secret of this impeccable diction - something I ’ m really proud of as an artist - comes from living in a cultural melting pot of a city like Mumbai for years and everything that I learnt musically in the ad world singing for jingles . Tamil is my mother tongue . And , I ’ ve sung so much in Kannada and Telugu over the years . Hindi and Marathi are languages that I ’ ve gotten exposed to in Mumbai . We used to dub each jingle in
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10 highonscore . com eight or nine languages which are nationally advertised . So , all that training has definitely paid off in the long run .
What are the three most important aspects that a professional vocalist must follow according to you ?
The three most important aspects a vocalist should focus on are - first and foremost - trying to be completely unique and authentic … not imitate someone else . Secondly , having a sense of communication with the audience where he or she sings a line , the emotion that he wants to convey , gets conveyed effectively . And , thirdly - if he or she is a student of music and immerses himself or herself in understanding the relationships between notes , melodies , and rhythms . Attention to detail , preparation , and self-awareness are must-haves as well .
What is your take on digitisation of music in current times ?
Digitisation of music is beautiful . The kind of instruments , hardware equipment , flexible software , diverse sounds , and processing capabilities that can add value to a musician ’ s life is phenomenal . That still doesn ’ t change the fact that one needs a solid understanding of and grounding in music . That ’ s the only way one will be able to handle and get the best out of these digital instruments . One can ’ t blindly depend on them to create great music automatically . It ’ s like having the best paint brushes , paint colours , pallet , and easel … but being unable to paint . Knowledge is power . Skill can be honed .
Could you talk to us about the trio - You , Siddharth & Shivam . About your home band and music that we can look forward to ?
I feel truly blessed to have two kids - Siddharth and Shivam - who are more than just serious and talented musicians . They understand music and it ’ s many genres , styles , forms , and qualities . They can tell the difference between great , good and mediocre music in an instant . I can have a discussion with them as a friend or a musical colleague . I consider it my greatest blessing that I can also stand and perform on stage with them by my side . And , everyone seems to enjoy that too ! This is a long journey and there are a lot of exciting collaborations that we are exploring together in this beautiful world of music !
Who are your greatest influencers ( nonmusicians ) who helped you to craft your voice so uniquely ?
My father … whose attitude towards life was beautiful and taught me so much . My wife , Sangeeta , who takes care of every single aspect of my life and Iam incomplete without her . And , my children who continue to inspire me everyday . These are my