http://www.godubai.com/gulftoday/articlet.asp?AID=3&Sect ion=TimeOut
Music director Jatin hopes to make Dubai the starting point of an exciting venture, writes Nutan Sheriff
"I have so much experience I want to share it with everyone, especially with those aspirants who do not have the right guidance and opportunities to make it in the music industry," says Jatin of the Jatin-Lalit fame. The renowned Indian music director, who churned out a series of hits for the Bollywood music industry for almost two decades, was at the Emirates Towers Hotel in Dubai recently to launch the new music label that will nurture musical talent, with a tie-up with Dubai-based Mac Studio. "I want to create a platform for singers so they are given the chance to be recognised. So many of them I meet do not know where to go or whom to approach if they want to make a career and so much talent goes unnoticed. I want to change that and I picked Dubai as my first stop because of the opportunities I was provided here," Jatin said.
Although Jatin was clear-cut about his plans for the future and his interest in promoting talent, his opinion on why he split from his younger brother Lalit, with whom he worked for about 16 years, was a little hazy. It, probably, was upsetting, like all break-ups are, which is why we decided to skip the issue and go on to more meaningful conversation. "The separation was not my idea, I will miss the experience of making some of the most beautiful music with my brother, but life goes on and the new path I have chosen looks promising. I am sure what has happened will enable me to look ahead with new hope, and I hope, for both of us, the change will give rise to new goals," Jatin said.
His new goal is to give back to society at least some of the good things it has given him and also help those who want to establish themselves as singers. Mac Studio will be his new partner in translating this dream into reality. The studio and the celebrated director will launch a new music label that will provide aspiring singers a platform to record their own album. The album will consist of a total of six songs that will be written, composed and recorded by Jatin, who has chosen to be the brand ambassador of the new label that will promote new artistes in the Middle East and India. The initiative will provide the first-of-its-kind opportunity to talented and aspiring singers in the GCC as well. Mac Studio will not only arrange and record the music album, but also take care of all the marketing and distribution functions involved.
To make the album more saleable an established singer from the Indian music industry will sing one of the six songs in the album. Such a professional musical debut is expected to prepare the selected artist for solo performances and other important assignments.
"I have taken inspiration from RD Burman, I can feel his tunes. It is the range of texture and melody that matters, otherwise songs are just mechanical, without a soul. That is the difference between a good song and a bad one. Melody is important, the song and lyrics are also important. A nice tune is like a nice script, without a good script a film cannot be a hit," says Jatin.
Jatin got this unique idea of helping singers after appearing as one of the judges on the Sa Re Ga Ma show. "There is so much talent on the show, I thought I can help these contestants reach their goals," said Jatin. "It gives me a lot of satisfaction to be able to use my experience to help others. Success comes to those who move forward and hard work always pays off," he added while airing his convictions.
Jatin belongs to a family of renowned musicians, the Pandit family. Justifiably composing music was the only career he had in mind. "I love music and have even composed some of the best songs I have done in my sleep," he said. "The hit song Zara sa jhoom lu main from the film Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge was composed in my dream," Jatin said and hummed the tune.
"I woke up in the middle of a dream and wrote down the song as it came to my mind. The next day I had a new composition. Sometimes, I compose a song in 15 minutes, while some days I cannot get a single line down. When your heart is not in your work, it will sound mechanical."
Jatin is an ardent admirer of the soulful voices of Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik and Shaan. He says singing from the heart is what makes a song popular. Acceptablity among the public is ultimately the most important factor in the music industry. Although a lover of western music he does not care for genres like Hip Hop and Rap.
"I have composed music for ghazals as well. I did a song for Jagjit Singh for the film Sarfarosh which was a hit. At present, I am doing a lot of compositions for films in Bollywood for eminent directors like Deepak Sarin and Azeez Mirza, who trust me and believe in my work. I will continue with my work in films and will always compose music for the industry," said Jatin.
The novel idea to create a platform for aspiring singers to showcase their talent professionally will see Jatin contributing to the industry in more ways than one. Besides allowing talent to shine, Jatin will lend his personal touch to the album and give shape to the music only someone with his expertise can do. Also, the best names in the music industry will be brought together to train and guide singers to bring out their potential and develop them as professional artistes, which can lead to a lucrative career.
Jatin has been in the professional music field since 1989 and is popular for his work in films like Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander, Khiladi, Khamoshi and the blockbuster of all time Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. Some of Jatin-Lalit's more recent popular music includes films like Mohabatein, Chalte Chalte, Hum Tum and the just released Fanaa. Jatin is currently involved in a couple of Hindi film projects in Mumbai. Having had more than a fair share of success in his professional life, he has now dedicated himself to the cause of music, particularly to encourage and nurture talent all over the world.
Dubai will be the starting point of the venture taking into consideration the fact that it has a sizeable expatriate population from the Asian subcontinent. People from this region have very few opportunities to shine on the Indian film music and the new venture will serve as a strong platform, providing the right environment for budding artistes to bloom.
"Artistes will go through a selection process and a training programme that will help them develop their abilities to professional standards. It is only then that they will start recording for their debut album," said Jatin. "Seeing a talented singer become a star is what will make me happy. It is what a parent feels when the child wins a prize. The happiness is immeasurable and I want this feeling of happiness to become a reality."
