E-Paper
Music is my life: Sandeep Chowta
The Chennai-based musician talks music in a tete-a-tete with Sudeshna B Baruah.
It was year 1998 when his background score for Satya captured the country's imagination. Much water has flown the Ganges since then. With the discovery of some of Bollywood's unique voices (Sunidhi Chauhan, Sonu Kakkar to name some) and invitation to score the theme music for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Sandeep Chowta has become a name to reckon with in the music world.
This scorpion has a unique style of his own that spans from western to spiritual. His new soundtrack 'Mallika I Hate You' from the album of the same name, is already ruling the chart at number 3. The Chennai-based musician-turned-composer in a tete-tete with Sudeshna B Baruah.
Tell us something about your newly-released album Mallika I Hate You
The idea for the album was conceived in the latter half of November 2005. It is a call to every beautiful woman men fantasies about, but fails to access. And before you pose the next question let me tell you it is not a take on Mallika Sherawat. It is purely coincidental.
But why has 'Mallika' been given the preference?
Because it sounds catchy and is quintessentially Indian. For instance Chandramukhi I Hate You may not produce the desired effect as Mallika does.
Every musician has a liking for a genre? Is there any of your like or which you mostly try to blend in your composition
?
Jazz is something I have been listening to since I was in my VI standard. I also have a liking for Indian classical music.
Experimentation seems to be your forte.
(Chuckles) Firstly, the very word experiment gives me a feeling of being in a laboratory. Secondly, when your creativity clicks it is called trend setting and when it fails, it gets the 'experimental' tag. But every time I work upon something I make a genuine attempt to hit the right note. So, they are more than experiments.
Is there any unique style in its presentation or composition that is peculiar to Mallika I Hate You?
The fact that it has been sung by Sonu Kakkar is in itself a unique streak in the album. She has a unique style that adds to the western note of the song. Also, the fact that international pianist Jay Oliver (who was a part of the legendary band Eagles) has shared space in the album makes it special. Besides, the introductory part in Sufi is in stark contrast to the picture of model Saga (an Icelander) appearing in her western outfit.