In conversation with Darshan Doshi,
India’s popular Drummer & Composer
Picture credit: Zubin Soni
What inspired you to pick up drums and what
inspires you to continue down this journey today?
The drumming journey started when I was two years
old. My father is a drummer and percussionist and
runs an academy in Juhu, Mumbai for the last 35 years.
There is nothing except drums for me. I just feel that I
should keep getting better and there is a lot to learn. It
takes years of practice as it’s not an easy instrument.
Your speciality in the music industry revolves around
a lot of Bollywood and film music. Could you tell us
the difference between composing parts of a film
soundtrack versus writing music with your band?
When I record drums or compose for a Bollywood
film, it is very situational based that is given by the
Director. Even if I play drums for a movie, some story
is given and that is different from when I compose for
my band. I have complete freedom and can decide what
instruments or vocalist I want to include. Both are different
and I enjoy doing both. It is great to have a balance
between doing film work and independent music.
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You’ve involved a lot of digital and electronic set
up in your performances. You think musicians
have become overly dependent on technology?
I feel, as a musician, we should always move ahead with
technology and it should be a part of your set up. I have
always used technology in my set up like electronic pads
and stuff like that to make it more like a hybrid set up
than having just electronic. I mix it well by having my
acoustic kit as the main one and mixing it with some hybrid
mics etc. It’s just the balance that we as musicians need
to understand. Electronic sound cannot be compared to
acoustic sound! If you merge it well, the output will be great.
We’ve seen a lot styles of fusion evolving in India
over the past few years. How do you approach
the synergy between western music concepts
and music that sticks to Indian roots?
For me fusion music started way back in early 60s
and 70s when Pt. Ravi Shankar, Zakir Hussain, John
McLaughlin started performing fusion music. They are
my idols. I follow Zakir Hussain sir a lot when it comes
to this. I’m trying to do the same with my band where I
have a Sitarist and a Guitarist creating fusion music. I
do understand the Indian part of the music as well and
it’s important to have a good part of both worlds.