Composer-singer on releasing his fusion track ahead of the Ganesh festival and upcoming collaboration with guitar legend John McLaughlin
Shankar Mahadevan
Tell us about your new single.
The song is called Tutari [launched by Hungama], which is essentially a musical instrument that denotes celebration. I have mixed tasha and dhol with dubstep in the song. The amalgamation has lent an electronic feel to it. People associate Ganesh festival with dancing and cheer. This track will make people dance.
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Do you sense a revival of independent music?
Indie music soared in the late '90s — I launched Breathless while Daler Mehndi belted out Tunak Tunak Tun. But, there was a lull soon after, because music companies stopped promoting indie music. Now independent music is gaining credence again. Artistes do not have to depend on film songs any longer. They create original music and gain recognition. The advantage they enjoy now is that they are in touch with the audience directly and are not dependent on music labels.
The musical trio — you, Ehsaan and Loy have kept a low profile in terms of Hindi film music for a while...
We worked on two films — Mirzya and Rock On 2 — in the last two years. While the films didn't fare well, the music was appreciated. We are currently working on Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's next, Nila Madhab Panda's film, Kangana Ranaut-starrer Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi and Prabhas' next, Saaho. We are also composing music for a web series.
Tell us about your non-film projects.
I am working on an album with John McLaughlin, arguably the greatest guitarist in the world. Apart from that, I am also producing an album called My Music, My Country, which will feature folk and classical musicians from all over the country. Besides an unplugged album with Ehsaan and Loy, another album with both my sons is in the works.
You run a virtual music academy. Do you have plans to expand it?
When we started seven years ago, we had 15 students. Now, we teach in 72 countries. We have tied up with 30 schools across India. We teach underprivileged and autistic children, too. Next, we plan to launch a brick and mortar academy.
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