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Raamnaath, welcome to VENTS!
Having spent a considerable amount of time immersed in Indian Music, I’ve noticed a vast disparity in terms of quality, oscillating between the remarkable and the mundane. Is this an observation you resonate with?
Hi Vents, Thank you so much for having me! Absolutely, and this observation isn’t exclusive to India. Around the globe, artistic expressions, whether music, visual arts, or literature, manifest in a spectrum of quality. Every art form has its zenith of brilliance and its troughs, reflecting the vast diversity of creators and their inspirations.
Stepping into the role of a composer for films across three different Indian languages is no small feat. With India’s rich tapestry of languages and the cultural nuances they carry, how have you navigated this multilingual landscape? Is it a reflection of India’s multicultural ethos?
Growing up in a vibrant metropolitan city in India has been a blessing in this regard. Every day, I’ve been exposed to a mosaic of cultures, languages, and traditions. This eclectic environment not only influenced my personal growth but also shaped my musical sensibilities. And today, with technology at our fingertips, the horizons have expanded further, allowing us to explore and be influenced by various global musical genres, making linguistic barriers almost negligible.
Given the rich legacy and the dynamic present of the Indian film music industry, where do you envision your unique footprint as a composer?
My aspiration is to weave my experiences into my compositions, making them universally relatable yet deeply personal. While I’m enthusiastic about working across diverse languages and film genres, I’m presently selective. I’m collaborating on projects that respect and accommodate my unique way of working, resonating with my musical ideologies.
Across genres and eras, who would you count as your musical touchstones?
The Beatles, with their transformative music; Queen, for their unbridled creativity; and Sajjad Ali, whose soulful renditions have always moved me, are certainly my guiding stars.
Collaboration often sparks innovation. Who’s on top of your list of artists to collaborate with, and why?
Sajjad Ali stands out. His dedication, passion, and the raw emotion he infuses into his creations is something I deeply admire. Collaborating with him, I believe, would be a synthesis of shared passion and musical exploration.
Your recent track, ‘Charusheela,’ has garnered much attention, especially for its intricate soundscapes. Could you shed some light on your process of deciding on the instruments and tones for such compositions?
Thank you for the kind words. Crafting a song is akin to painting a canvas. Every stroke, every hue is deliberate. The mood of the song, its narrative essence, and its emotional core guide the choice of instruments and sounds. It’s a complex interplay between the story the film wishes to tell and the auditory journey I wish the audience to embark upon. Getting this balance right, understanding the narrative demand, is pivotal to the composition process.
Working with a stalwart like Hariharan, especially in a country teeming with musical legends, must have been an experience in itself. How did this association come about?
My association with Mr. Hariharan is built on mutual respect and years of collaboration. Over the past decade, our paths have intertwined on numerous projects. So, when the opportunity arose to find a voice that would do justice to this particular song, Mr. Hariharan was the evident choice. Complementing him, we had Reshma Raghavendra for the Malayalam version, and the talented Riya Mishra from Mumbai for the Tamil rendition. Their voices added layers of depth and nuance to the composition.
In the global landscape, where independent artists have platforms aplenty, how does India fare? Do independent musicians here get their due recognition?
It’s a double-edged sword. India’s music scene, especially the popular spectrum, is largely orchestrated around films. This presents both opportunities and challenges. While film music here can achieve meteoric popularity within moments of its release, independent musicians, despite their commendable talent and innovative tracks, often find it challenging to reach expansive audiences. However, the tides are slowly shifting, and I’m optimistic about the future.
As you charter this exciting journey, what’s the core philosophy or message you’d like to convey to budding artists and composers who look up to you?
Every artist has a unique voice, a singular story to tell. My advice would be to stay true to that essence, to persistently nurture and refine their craft, and to embrace both the highs and the lows of this journey. Passion, persistence, and authenticity are the cornerstones of lasting success in the music industry.
Given the vast diversity of Indian music, from classical ragas to contemporary Bollywood beats, how do you strike a balance in your compositions to appeal to a wide range of audiences?
Indian music, with its rich and diverse tapestry, has always been a treasure trove of inspiration. In my compositions, I aim to be a bridge between the age-old traditions and contemporary sounds. It’s about harmoniously blending the timeless with the timely. While the soul of my music often finds its roots in traditional melodies, the presentation is contemporary, ensuring it resonates with both the connoisseur and the casual listener. This balancing act, while challenging, is the key to creating music that transcends generations.
