Showing posts with label Hriday Gattani. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hriday Gattani. Show all posts
It is important to be yourself and not copy anyone-Hriday Gattani
8:10 AM
Debarati Sen (BOMBAY TIMES; September 17, 2016)
He is just three songs old
in Bollywood. While Udan Choo from Banjo is his latest release, Maaloom
and Tu Shining from Lekar Hum Deewana Dil were his earlier ones.
However, young Hriday Gattani has been an active part of the industry
since childhood, thanks to his father's career in music management. The
singer grew up watching great artistes perform live and was surrounded
by musicians in his formative years, which helped him understand the art
and hone his skills.In a candid chat, the vocalist talks about his
latest track and more...
Tell us about Udan Choo...
This song is really special. I had been performing as an independent singer-songwriter at various music festivals. It was at one of those that I met Vishal Dadlani sir. He appreciated my work and said he wanted Shekhar Ravjiani to listen to my voice. Shekhar sir heard my tracks and said that he wanted me to sing Udan Choo.
What was the brief given to you?
The first time I heard the track, I loved it and figured it wasn't as simple as it sounded. The melody grows on you gradually. They briefed me about the situation - that it would be picturised on Riteish Deshmukh and is a dream sequence sung by a person in love. Shekhar sir also added that he wanted it to be simple yet playful, which was something I kept in mind while singing the number.
Today, there are many new talented singers in the industry. Does that scare you?
Not really. That's because I feel every artiste has a unique style and voice. It is important to be yourself and not copy anyone. Also, I'm working on my independent music and I know I can reach out to people, because all types of music have an audience.
What do you have to say about the cutthroat competition in the industry?
It's great in a way, because you will never get complacent and keep working on yourself. Also, the audience gets a huge variety to listen to.
Do you feel singers with raw talent can actually make it big in Bollywood?
Music is a vast field of art and I think it'll always be open for fresh perspectives and ideas. So, raw talent that brings in originality will always be welcomed and appreciated.
Many singers prefer performing in live shows as it helps them rake in the moolah as compared to singing for movies. What are your views about this trend?
Songs are a medium to get live concerts. I believe that a song to your name is valued as an addition to your repertoire, which in return will get you more concerts. Live shows help an artiste earn more. As there are no retakes, talent gets tested in real time.
You have worked closely with A R Rahman. How was the experience?
Rahman sir has always been like my mentor and guide. I've learnt so much just by listening to his songs. When I was studying music in Chennai, I spent a lot of time at his studio, just observing him and his team work on albums; it was the most important learning experience of my life. Touring with him on some of his live concerts brought alive a new side of me on stage. He gave me complicated songs to sing in front of thousands of people, and this faith gave a boost to my confidence. It has made me want to work harder every day. His support has helped me a lot in my career.
Tell us about Udan Choo...
This song is really special. I had been performing as an independent singer-songwriter at various music festivals. It was at one of those that I met Vishal Dadlani sir. He appreciated my work and said he wanted Shekhar Ravjiani to listen to my voice. Shekhar sir heard my tracks and said that he wanted me to sing Udan Choo.
What was the brief given to you?
The first time I heard the track, I loved it and figured it wasn't as simple as it sounded. The melody grows on you gradually. They briefed me about the situation - that it would be picturised on Riteish Deshmukh and is a dream sequence sung by a person in love. Shekhar sir also added that he wanted it to be simple yet playful, which was something I kept in mind while singing the number.
Today, there are many new talented singers in the industry. Does that scare you?
Not really. That's because I feel every artiste has a unique style and voice. It is important to be yourself and not copy anyone. Also, I'm working on my independent music and I know I can reach out to people, because all types of music have an audience.
What do you have to say about the cutthroat competition in the industry?
It's great in a way, because you will never get complacent and keep working on yourself. Also, the audience gets a huge variety to listen to.
Do you feel singers with raw talent can actually make it big in Bollywood?
Music is a vast field of art and I think it'll always be open for fresh perspectives and ideas. So, raw talent that brings in originality will always be welcomed and appreciated.
Many singers prefer performing in live shows as it helps them rake in the moolah as compared to singing for movies. What are your views about this trend?
Songs are a medium to get live concerts. I believe that a song to your name is valued as an addition to your repertoire, which in return will get you more concerts. Live shows help an artiste earn more. As there are no retakes, talent gets tested in real time.
You have worked closely with A R Rahman. How was the experience?
Rahman sir has always been like my mentor and guide. I've learnt so much just by listening to his songs. When I was studying music in Chennai, I spent a lot of time at his studio, just observing him and his team work on albums; it was the most important learning experience of my life. Touring with him on some of his live concerts brought alive a new side of me on stage. He gave me complicated songs to sing in front of thousands of people, and this faith gave a boost to my confidence. It has made me want to work harder every day. His support has helped me a lot in my career.
I hate making mistakes when I am around A R Rahman sir-Hriday Gattani
8:29 AM
Hriday Gattani, the 23-year-old singer of Lekar Hum Deewana Dil's Maaloom, knows the maestro since he was three years of age
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; June 20, 2014)
He has a mentor in none H
other than globally acclaimed composer AR Rahman,
who he's been around since the age of three. Bollywood's latest playback
singer Hriday Gattani feels extremely lucky to be singing two songs for
the maestro in Lekar Hum Deewana Dil. Excerpts from an interview.
How did you get your Bollywood break?
When I was studying in Rahman sir's school of music in Chennai, I was also partly working at his studio. Rahman sir would often listen to me sing. One day, out of the blue, he asked me to sing a scratch and I was shocked. I sang Tu Shining. Both, the lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya and the director Arif Ali, liked it. Later, I was offered Maaloom with (singer) Jonita Gandhi. While Tu Shining is more energetic and fun, Maaloom is a free-spirited song. I had more scope to express my creativity in Tu Shining with its unique lyrics. Both the songs were different from the kind of songs I write. I tend to write more soulful stuff so this was a different experience for me.
What is the bond you share with Rahman?
I have known Rahman sir since I was three years old. My father Deepak Gattani has been his official concert manager for 18 years now. He heard me for the first time when I sang the fusion mix of The Beatles' song Let It Be with Suchismita Das. While studying at his music school, I did a recording for him of One Vision, a song composed from prose written by then President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
Besides, I have also toured with him for live concerts. He is my mentor and I hate making mistakes when I am around him. He is a man of few words, but contrary to what people think, he is quite fun to be with. He is at ease with the people he works with and constantly improvises on the way I sing. I want to sing and be like him, but he keeps insisting that every one should be unique.
Don't you think you'll be slotted as someone who got promoted because of his proximity to Rahman?
I don't mind it. To get an opportunity like that is also luck. Your work speaks for you as you go along. So such slots I have never bothered about.
You write and compose music too...
When I was studying music in Chennai, I started developing a taste for writing lyrics and composing music. I felt later that I could actualise my creativity by forming an indie band. I believe composing and songwriting run parallel to each other. Since I feel indie music has a lot of potential, I felt the need to write and pursue it with my band. On the other hand, my focus will always be playback singing, because it is huge in India.
You've collaborated on a single with singer Neeti Mohan. Are you two more than friends?
(Laughs) Of course not. I am only 23 years old and have to be focused on my music. Neeti is a great singer and a great friend. We have collaborated for a single and together we have sung on many of Rahman sir's tours. When it comes to getting married, I will find a girl. Those days are gone when a girl didn't think much of a musician.
Now that actors are also singing, are they eating into your share of the pie?
It is a scary thought but it is true, and they sing really well also. But every song has a voice and it is chosen only when it suits the song. Bollywood music has really grown in terms of production and is as good as music coming from the West. But the indie music scene here should get a boost. There are so many musicians looking for a platform there.
There are new singers coming to Bollywood every day and the adage goes that you are only as good as your last hit song.
I agree. Music has no boundaries anymore. Even if there are new singers, social media and the Internet have opened up a new world for us. Even if you don't know me, you would still end up watching my song or performance on the internet. Look at the range of songs that Arijit Singh, Sanam Puri or Shraddha Pandit are singing. We all get a variety of work so it's an interesting phase right now.
Khalifa song was the 1st song to be planned but was completed last
8:22 AM
Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 19, 2014)
Director Arif Ali had planned to start the score of his directorial debut Lekar Hum Deewana Dil with a party song and sketched out the situation to his composer, double Oscar winner, AR Rahman. "But as is usual with Rahman sir, we recorded Beqasoor, a song we were in no hurry for, first while this one kept getting pushed," laughs Arif.
Rahman explain that he didn't want to do a regular club song and was wondering how he could make it different. Arif didn't believe in forcing a deadline on Rahman since pressure never works with him, and let this song simmer on slow fire.
Then, one day, on a flight to Chennai, with his lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya and producer Dinesh Vijan, Arif fell asleep. To keep himself from getting bored, Dinesh took his cell phone and started playing the scratches Arif had taken from Rahman earlier. When Arif awoke, Dinesh told him that one of them, Nainon se, nainon se, might work as a party number. The director conceded that with the right words it might work and the duo turned expectantly to Amitabh who excused himself to take a loo break.
He came out of the bathroom and told them excitedly that he had got it. Khalifa came to him in a moment of epiphany. In Chennai, while recording Tu Shining, they sounded out Rahman.
"I liked the word Khalifa. There's a popular American rapper by the name too. The word's significance in the religious context dates back to a 1000 years, but it is also used today by the younger generation as a synonym for 'Hey Chief'," the composer explains.
And so while simultaneously recording Tu Shining, Rahman started on Khalifa, orchestrating everyone's moves. Amitabh started writing the rap portions, the lyrics a mix of Hindi and English. Shweta Pandit who was sleeping in one corner of the studio, was roused and pushed behind the mic. Hriday Gattani who was singing Tu Shining was told to sing Khalifa too.
But later when they were brainstorming on the album, it was felt that song needed Rahman's voice to add punch to it. "I was supposed to sing Allahda but they wanted me to hum Khalifa instead," reminisces Rahman who was persuaded to sing a couple of lines. And the verdict was unanimous-it had to be Rahman.
The promos had to come out in two days time and Rahman had to leave for Los Angeles so they were on a tight leash. On the day of the recording, Rahman was down with a bad cold. "Finally, we recorded Khalifa at 2.30 am. We were under a lot of pressure but when I heard it the next morning it sounded all right and I felt at ease," recalls the Mozart of Madras.
Khalifa took off a year after it was first planned. And Arif was a satisfied director. "It is not a usual Rahman song yet I was confident it would work. But with all the music that is happening, I was not surprised that it took time to pick up," says the director.
Rahman however was worried by the initial reactions. "I knew people would take time to digest Khalifa but when they ripped it apart saying, 'What is this song?' I tried to figure why they didn't like it. People are so quick to judge," he sighs. But the initial reactions changed and today, Khalifa is playing everywhere.
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