There Is Magic In Following Your Heart

Shekhar Ravjiani in his Bollywood avatar as part of the Vishal-Shekhar duo has been a part of several Bollywood chart busters. But in the last couple of years, the composer has been showcasing a new side of him, with singles such as Saazni, Saavli, Butterfly and now Hanuman Chalisa. Indiatimes.com spoke to the talented musician to find out what drives him while composing in the non-film-space, and why every artist must periodically work something that comes out instinctively and is born straight from the heart.

The singles bring out a very different side of you and you have been very active in this space. Is it because in Bollywood you have may be reached a comfort zone that is not creatively very challenging anymore?

I am just having fun man! I am just having a good time, doing something that makes me happy. It comes from my heart and soul.

Also, I like to constantly challenge and surprise myself all the time. My first three singles challenged me linguistically and got me close to a whole new set of listeners.

There is a certain magic in following your heart and not a brief. I have now been in this business for 15 years, composed over 400 songs for 60 films ¨C And it was about two and half years ago when I figured out a mind space and a vibe to get into something that is a little more independent¡­My own expression.

So I decided to start making singles. These are all unplanned, unstructured compositions and more about just taking the mic and start singing. In a film soundtrack, there is a lot of structuring that happens. You have to keep in mind the situation, the brief, the sonic space of the film and many other things. Here I can do whatever I feel like. I am like an artiste drawing my own paining, or making a sketch. Every artist should do this from time to time. It helps reconnect with one¡¯s old self. This is something I used to before getting into Bollywood¡­I used to write songs for myself. So there is a different magic about that. It makes your heart and soul very happy.

What was the thought behind the Hanuman Chalisa single?

This is an epic prayer that has been passed on from generations and is still an important part of many people¡¯s daily routine. Personally speaking, it has been a part of my life since I was a child. It is one of the many traditional values my grandparents instilled in me and that have stayed with me. So it was a memory of my grandmother that triggered an impulse to do my own rendition of the Hanuman Chalisa. It was very special to her. And she¡¯s probably smiling somewhere right now.

Lord Hanuman is a very special God. His life in itself is a lesson for all of us. He symbolises wisdom, devotion and power. And I notice that in today¡¯s world where we have all lost of our way in constantly trying to find ourselves and happiness; it is spiritual prayers such as the Hanuman Chalisa which will help us find more meaning our lives and make us better human beings.

Has the evolution of the digital space been an important force in your decision to pursue singles?

Of course platforms like YouTube and the whole digital universe is really fantastic. It¡¯s a big space and there is a lot out there for everyone. The non-film space is growing and all artists should find their own expression and do something that makes them happy. Not that film songs do not make me happy. It¡¯s my job and I get a lot of joy out of them. But this is like your own baby.

Given that this prayer is so integral to Indian tradition, did you define any boundaries for yourself before beginning your own rendition?

I actually did not think. That was the best part about it. I sang it just the way I recite it. I did not write any notes on the guitar or piano or structure anything. I just took the mic and started singing. I recorded it in two hours flat.

I have been reciting this prayer since childhood but I didn¡¯t really think much about it. Sometimes it is a nice space to not think and do things¡­Instinctively do things that your heart says. I did not want to hear any of the Hanuman Chalisas done by others. I was just thinking about my grandmother.

You have been singing a lot more these days. Does it have something to do with the success of songs like Isgq Wala Love and Zehnaseeb?

You know people do analyse those things. People ask me if I sung the Hanuman Chalisa because Zehnaseb was a huge hit. But these are thoughts that do not come to my mind. Such thoughts tend to bind you. I just like to go with flow and walk independently. Nothing is distracting me.

So singles are like a de-stresser and a break from the Bollywood madness¡­

Bollywood films also de-stress you. But there you have something connected to the song. The situation, the brief, the director¡­Those are a couple of points you have to keep in mind. But what if you take all those points away? And compose for yourself. Where you don¡¯t need to ask anyone for an approval.

In Bolywood I would like to know what people are thinking about my song, and seek feedback. But here I just hope people enjoy the experience of listening to it, the way I have made it. And just be happy after listening to it.

Amitabh Bachchan, was present at the launch of the single. Tell us something about your association with him¡­

Mr Bachchan is someone who I have looked up to, loved and respected since I was a child. In 2008 when we were on their world tour we came close to the entire family. I was treated like a son of the house. They are a beautiful family and lovely people. Before beginning my singles, I spoke to Mr Bachchan that I had written something just for myself. And he was very encouraging.

He really enjoyed Saazni. He even sent me a message about my Telugu song, Butterfly; he loved it. So when I sent him a message after Hanuman Chalisa, he was travelling. And when you are abroad, it is possible to miss out on messages. But he replied in under 50 seconds.

His words were, ¡®Shekhar, done! Just let me know when and where. Someone from my office will get in touch and fix up the date and time¡¯. Now forget about the professionalism bit, because there is no one like him in that. But he genuinely is one of the nicest people I know. His presence at the launch was like a blessing and I am grateful to him for gracing the occasion and saying such nice things about Hanuman Chalisa.

What else is happening on the singles front, and what can we expect from Vishal-Shekhar in the Hindi film space this year?

On the singles front like I said, there is nothing ever planned. In films, there is Bang Bang and Happy New Year coming.

So V-S are ready to rock the second half of the year...

Absolutely.

WATCH Shekhar's Hanuman Chalisa

IMAGES: facebook.com/ShekharRavjianiOfficial