Touching a milestone

he story of the 'Aryans' began in Delhi in the unlikely portals of the cadre services of the Indian Information Service. Dharmendra Jainarayan, self-christened DJ Narain, met a scientist named Sadashivam Sharma, similarly named Sadu and found that they jammed very well mentally. It was just the beginning. When Jay Valia came in the trio, along with Atul on the guitar, Yakub, the lead guitarist and Yunus on the drums formed the Aryans and made their debut in 1998 with a self-titled album best known for its hit lead track, 'Aankhon mmein teri hi chehra...'. Jay split a while later, but the original twosome have consolidated their bond. "We are the only Indian band to have come up with five albums," exults DJ on the eve of the release of his album Kehta Hai Dil Baar Baar on T-Series. "The album is very strong on lyrics and is about hope and efforts in marching towards goals. More than any of our previous albums, it is perhaps the story of we Aryans' lives and struggles." The Aryans believe in essentially singing and composing for the real India, and not for a niche teenybopper or pub crowd."Our songs reflect life's problems and drudgery and offer hope that can only come with relentless efforts. These words are set to contemporary grooves and moods," says Sadashivam. "Our following is thus pan-Indian and include the non-English speaking population as well." Adds DJ Narain, "We have done sellout concerts in unlikely places like Shillong, Leh, Bhuj and Vizag."

The group, whose composition has been selected among dozens as the theme song of the 2010 Commonwealth Games,tick off on their fingers the three main reasons for their popularity: "We are bum chums, we have the complete support of a very understanding family and we have very strong will power!" smiles DJ whose contribution to the conversation is much more than that of his partner.

The duo also attribute their success to their travels. "The more we travel the more we get inspired,"says Sadu. "We also think of themes that the common man can identify with, as in our hit song 'Bechara Raju kya kare...' We think that the impact of beats does not last long - trends change in music. Issues remain, therefore words linger."

Echoes DJ, "Our music is never cold-bloodedly geared towards hitting the top of the charts. There is a strong ethnicity with fresh arrangements. We are thinkers with a passion for music, and since music isn't business for us we do not need to churn out an album every year and succumb to mediocrity. We make and compose songs from the heart. We are also completely involved in our music right till the final mix. That is why we remain the biggest and largest selling Hindi pop group even though we are not in our twenties!"