I think everything else after that is only about the process and about ultimately making sure that the song sounds the way it ’ s supposed to sound . And for that , whatever we use , we use it very happily , we value it . But the question of pressure doesn ’ t arise from me .
How do you envision the value chain of the music industry to change over the next few years and where do you see yourself ?
I feel that it ’ s very important that every artist stands up to the value of his or her own music . I think music is a very , very sacred element in society . And even apart from society , even if we speak of the entertainment industry , I think music is a very valuable , very valuable means of communication . I think that process has to be respected . The process of creating music has to be respected . The process of poetry has to be respected . The sanctity of a studio , of any studio . It could be a big studio , it could be a small studio , it could be a home studio , a car studio . I think the dignity and sanctity of it should be respected . And for that it ’ s very important that we are just first respected ourselves and we draw the boundaries for it . I think that ’ s the kind of responsibility that comes to us .
Because when we take that stand and when we respect what we do and we do not allow any kind of infiltration in that process , I think then obviously everybody will respect the process and they will see the way we see our own art and how important it is for us . When I say that , I do not mean that nobody else can be included in the process . That ’ s not what I mean at all . I think music is a collaborative process . Specifically
Hindi film music is a collaborative process . The director , his vision is very important for any composer . We see some great examples of how composers and directors have done some brilliant work together . So I ’ m not talking about that , but I ’ m speaking of standing up for the dignity of your own art . I ’ m speaking about protecting the sanctity of your own process , the sanctity of your own mind space . And I think if that ’ s something that we as artists stand for ourselves , I think the world and everybody else will respect it and they will happily respect it without any conflict . To it . So I see myself in the same chain of responsibility . I ’ ve always tried to do that .
And I ’ ve been blessed with people who have always respected my music , have always respected the process . And I think it ’ s very important that every artist stands up for that .
Why do you think you resonate more with the soulful , soft acoustic or melodic genre ? Are there any uncharted areas you are currently hoping to explore ?
I think I personally myself really enjoy the acoustic genre . I really love a piano based piano voice based song , maybe a nylon string put into it and maybe a padding and I really love doing that . For me , less has always been more . So I think that ’ s something that comes from my personal taste once I do that and playing with the reverb and playing with the spaces and the textures . It ’ s something that has really excited me over the years and I ’ m really grateful because the audience has loved so much . Whether we speak of Maula Mere Maula from Anwar , we speak of Beete Lamhein from The Train , we speak of Phir Mohabbat , even Tum Hi Ho was a very minimalistically produced song and I ’ ve enjoyed that . I ’ ve really enjoyed that over the years . But at the same time , I think when you speak of uncharted territory , I think I definitely experimented with Shamshera and I realised I enjoyed that equally as much . So I think I ’ m in a very good space right now as a composer . I ’ m looking forward to doing all kinds of genres . I really want to do a Hindustani classical soundtrack .
I ’ m waiting for the right project that comes my way , which needs something like that . But I ’ m looking to experiment as well as do things that are of my personal taste as well . So completely with an open mind right now .
Next , as someone who is quite involved in creating original compositions , how do you view the independent scene and what changes would you like to see ? Yeah , as you rightly said , I think I ’ m all for independent original music . I strongly believe that recreating is not exciting at all for an artist . I did one myself a few years back for a film called ‘ All is well ’ (‘ Mere Humsafar )’ , but after that I consciously decided not to do this and I didn ’ t want to be a part of it because I don ’ t think it is my calling . I would definitely like to see a lot of aspiring composers and established composers also put out a lot of independent music . I think that ’ s a great thing that if as a culture we can create a culture where there is a stream of communication apart from Hindi films , I think that will be a very positive thing for the artists and the listeners as well . My only concern would be or
The Score Magazine highonscore . com
15