You have delivered some big Bolly numbers like Maula sun le re (Madras Cafe) and Kyon (Barfi!). How do you go about selecting tracks?

I just sing the songs, and if I’m able to do justice to the song... whether my style and my voice belong to the song... it’s not that I want to only do one kind of melody or style, but I can tell when my voice suits a certain song. I don’t just want to sing a song because there’s a song and I’m a singer. If I sing a song, I should be able to do it justice.

How is the work environment in Mumbai different from Assam?

Mumbai is one of the best places in the world to work in because somehow everyone has a lot of perseverance and endurance. The city has a huge industry, which churns out so many projects a year, and so there’s a big demand for talented people. The work ethic and work atmosphere is of a very high standard.

Do you constantly seek new music to develop a new sound?

I always try to do something new which excites me, so as to keep everything new, and less monotonous. I’m always looking around to hear new sounds –– what’s happening around me, trying out new sounds and various ways of recording something. I very consciously try to make an effort to keep it interesting for myself.

Who are the singers who inspire you?

Kishore Kumar and Jagjit Singh. Jagjit Singh mostly because of his production and sophisticated yet traditional melody. And Kishore Kumar because of his versatility, spontaneity and natural way of singing. Kishoreda’s style of singing kind of makes music closer to life. It’s like he’s talking and he’s singing. He’s narrating in tune. Then there’s RD Burman and Hemant Kumar, both of whom were significant in changing so many things around in how music is perceived in India.

That one singer who has changed the way you perceive music?

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. He was someone who did so much, was never stuck by boundaries, styles and rules, but yet had a strong understanding of the core of classical music. He would venture everywhere, exploring newer sounds and soundscapes all the time. His experimentation and exploration has been really inspiring, and pushed me to not get stuck in a singular school of thought.

You have recently sung in Punjabi (Na ishq kariyo jhalle in the film Chor Chor Super Chor) and Tamil (Hey in the film Vanakkam Chennai). How do you manage to switch languages?

It takes a while to get the diction right, and the meaning as well. We write down what I’m going to be singing, obviously, to get a better grasp. While it takes double the time to sing in a language you don’t know, it’s also interesting to learn a little of a new language, and also to be able to convey your stories to more people who know these languages.

The more you work on film music isn’t it becoming difficult to find time for your band East India Company?

It’s not yet become an issue for me. Also, the break is nice. There’s a hunger and the need to come back to the other one, and that helps you be more creative.

How was this season’s Coke Studio@MTV set?

It has shaped up beautifully. The entire episode has come out better than I had originally perceived. There are a variety of instruments used over the episode, from ravan hatta, an ancient instrument, to beatboxing to the accordion, electric piano, shehnai, duduk (an Iranian instrument). The episode is a mix of very different sounds and styles.

What makes the upcoming Bacardi NH7 Weekender festival (in Calcutta; December 14-15) special?

Bacardi NH7 Weekender is one of the biggest, truly international festivals in India. It’s really great that they’re travelling to the east (Calcutta) to showcase the whole energy and vibe of the festival.

How will you decide on your set for the Bacardi NH7 Weekender?

We try to choose a set that’s energetic but also soulful at the same time. It’s for the young ones to understand the history of where the music comes from, and also to keep the spirit of the music young.

His inspiration

Jagjit Singh for his production and sophisticated yet traditional melody

Kishore Kumar for his versatility, spontaneity and natural way of singing

RD Burman and Hemant Kumar for changing many things around in how music is perceived in India

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan for never being stuck by boundaries, styles and rules

Mathures Paul
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