'Recognition plays a big role in the motivation of an artiste' - Rituraj
Let's start with your recent updates. What musical projects are you currently busy with?
I have been working with my brother Prithwi Raj on the album Raj for quite a while now. It hasn't been the smoothest of journeys, as both of us are quite demanding in terms of our satisfaction of the final output. A few singles have been released here and there; sporadic projects and intermittent television shows are as far the musical endeavors go.
Although you have shown excellence in many genres, your singing seems solely influenced by eastern classical style. Tell us more about this.
What I believe in learning is that it is only possible to excel in any form of self-expression, especially in art, if the boundary of knowledge is not limited to a single genre. Where learning comes in, it is an inescapable requisite that at least some understanding of most styles of presentation is absorbed in order to incorporate to one's own performance. The immensity of eastern classical style by itself opens up a range of possibilities to learning as it is fundamentally based on improvisation. The style's influence on me is because it provides such a great scope for learning and performing at the same time.
Where do you seek your musical inspirations? Do you have any idol?
One of the favorite lines I have come across say something similar to the idea is that there is inspiration everywhere; we only require having the eye to see it. There have been numerous occasions where I had been inspired from the least expected places. Tagging a single personality to the list of 'from inspired' is difficult, to say the least. I would congratulate my luck for a recent feat that I would say I 'achieved'; an opportunity that my brother Prithwi Raj and I did not let go by was our official enrolment under the musical discipline of Acharya Jayant Bose, one of the pre-eminent Gurus of South Asia. It had been a long while that we were fascinated by his sheer brilliance, and if there would be anyone we could say we 'idolize,' it would inarguably be our Guru.
You are a professed musician and a full-time corporate honcho at the same time. How do you balance and merge both your corporate self and artist in you for maximum productivity?
Multitasking is more of a myth in reality; we do not necessarily have to juggle between two things rather prioritize the serial at which we perform one thing or the other. Being a full-time musician or a full-time corporate officer need not be options, but interchangeable at any given passion-process. Mindfully investing even a little time on any activity provides enough stimulation to the thoughts that aid in productivity.
Unlike most, you are hardly seen on TV live shows or in other activities that help an artist to stay in constant touch with fans and followers. Is there any specific reason?
I have been doing a few television shows here and there, but nothing too extensively. It is because the focus is more now on learning than the performance. I have been practicing on a regular basis to improve my understanding of the art; it is a possibility that I will be concentrating on the exposure once I am confident enough of my performance abilities. Yes, it is true that performing is also a major part of the learning process, so I do not decline invitations. It is just that I am not currently looking for shows actively.
Tell us about your future plans. Is there any special milestone you want to touch in the years to come?
What the future holds is a mystery and I love to keep it that way! Not the greatest planner you'll meet when it comes to my music; I keep entertaining all thoughts that come into my mind on the way. I wish to reach the listeners who enjoy the free-flow of musical energy. I do believe that recognition plays a big role in the motivation of an artiste, and to be recognized one requires to reach out first. The milestones would, for every passionate musician, be a national recognition at least if not international.
Any special message for the readers and fans?
It fills my heart with joy to know that a lot of us young souls aspire to become great musicians someday. It is imperative for all knowledge to evolve through time, and the fact that our generation is so adept at absorbing the new; our collective capabilities can result in great things! However, just as a toddler requires an affectionate adult to learn to stand up straight, we must resort to good guidance to foster the innate responsibility we have upon the next generation. For our own foundation to grow sturdy enough, we must seek, nurture and explore.
By Tasbir Iftekhar
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