Bishakh Jyoti, who recently received the National Award for Krantikari Guruji-The Times Ahead as Best Music Director, speaks with SHALINI SAKSENA about his journey
How does it feel to receive the National Award? What does it represent for you?
I am truly honoured after receiving this prestigious award. This is an inspiration and motivation to me to work more n more hard and always give my best. I want to dedicate this award to my fans and followers and friends who has been always supporting me from the very beginning.
You have come a long way since Sa Re Ga Ma Pa (SRGMP) days. How has the journey been?
The journey was not at all smooth. As I came from a very small town in West Bengal where people hardly get this kind of platform and exposure. So coming from such a background and to become a runners up in the Competition is always very special to me. I have learned a lot from all my mentors and the judges like Vishal ji, Sajid-Wajid ji and it was a wonderful learning experience to me..
How did you get interested in music?
From childhood I had an inclination towards music because of my father. He is no more, but his love for music has made me a true music lover and from there my love and affection towards music started.
You did many digital concerts. Was it very challenging?
They are always challenging in the beginning but let me tell you this is one of the most beautiful way to connect with your fans and audiences who enjoys your performance sitting back at home. Digital concerts has been a solution to entertainment during the tough pandemic time.
What made you say yes to be part of the great grand jury on SRGMP?
If you see that in a platform from where you started your musical journey and have got recognised and at the same stage after 10 years you got an opportunity to become a great grand jury I think very few people will deny to this. Also, sharing the platform with my idol Shankar ji and Vishal ji means a lot to me.
What/who inspires you?
Music inspires me a lot. Md Rafi Sahab, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh Ji inspires me a lot. I have learnt a lot of things from many great music composers like SD Burma and RD Burma. There is Shankar Mahadevan and AR Rahman; they have been great inspiration to me as well.
How did you end up working for Bengali and Odiya industry?
Both the industries are almost same. Only difference is the language. One great thing about Odiya industry is the love for independent music and independent musicians. Whereas Bengali industry is mostly based on filmy music.
How critical is music for a film in India?
Music is an integral part of every film in India. Because the story line which Indian stories carries in the cinema music is required to depict that in a beautiful way. Other than songs background score plays the most important role in any film.
What next?
Many projects like Lucknow Times an Aasma will be getting released soon. Other than these there are few other films as well on which I am working on.
