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| INTERVIEW | DEBOJIT SAHA |
A couple of months ago dining table conversations across the length and breadth of the country revolved around who would be the 'Voice of India', Debojit or Vinit? Speculations peaked to a frenzy with Ismail Darbar's protege voting out Himesh Reshammiya's 'chosen one' in the grand finale of the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005. It was a big moment for the civil engineer-turned-singer from Silchar, Assam. And then the attention and the adulation faded or rather veered in the direction of Karunyaa and Sandeep, the next Indian-Idol-to-be. And Debojit abruptly disappeared from the public eye? Just when we were wondering what had happened to him, we learnt that he was recording a song with Bappi Lahiri. It took all of 24 hours to touch base with the elusive singer but once he got talking the words flowed... Excerpts
Every singer dreams of recording with a legend like Bappida. I'm lucky to have not just landed the opportunity but be called by the man himself. He invited me home where I was told that he had composed this song and expected it to hit the market in a few months. He was confident it would be another chart-topper and wanted me to sing it. I didn't think twice. 'Mohabbat, ibadat tere liye...jaani ve, jaani ve...mahi re...' is a duet with Shibani Kashyap, a Sufi song with a disco groove...Very much a today's song and I can already see it playing at every discotheque in town. (Smiling) Bappida is the Disco King. I grew up rocking to his 'I am a Disco Dancer...'. How long did it take you to record the song?
I'd expected it to take at least three hours and was really appehensive because here I was, a new singer, working with a veteran composer like Bappida. I'd anticipated being reprimanded by him for not getting a tune right or even my style of singing. But to my surprise, he was so friendly and we'd wrapped up the song in under an hour. Any other offers?
Himeshji (Reshammiya) had announced, khullam khulla on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005 that he would give me a "rocking" song and I'm hoping to get a call from him soon. Pritamda has also shown interest. I've already recorded a song with Ismailji (Ismail Darbar) that I sang during the finals. It should be a part of a film or album. The song is penned by Mehboob nad arranged by Ranjit Barot. The high-octave Sufi number was very unlike the soft romantic, at times heart-tuggingly sad songs, you had been singing on the competition earlier.
Yeah, which is why I so nervous when I reported at the studio at 9 a.m. on the day for the recording. It was so unlike anything I had sung before that for a moment I'd toyed with the idea of telling Ismailji to give me something else. He might have if I had asked. Then I heard the track and loved it so much I knew I had to sing this song. I just told Ismailji not to scold me too much. He can be very moody and if he doesn't like what you're singing, he can get really mad. But to my surprise he appeared visibly delighted after I'd sung the first mukhda. He confessed that he had worked with several singers but this was the first time he was so happy with a first rendering. That boosted my morale considerably and I think it was this song that tilted the scales in my favour during the finals. How important was it for you to win the contest?
My motto all through the competition had been to sing well. Personally, I only wanted to be acknowledged as a good singer. But for the sake of my mother, my wife and all those who had voted for me I wanted to win.
Even if I had lost I don't think it would have been much of a setback professionally because, as I pointed out to Gajendra Singh, by then people knew that both Vinit and I could sing and I would have probably landed many of these offers and invitations to sing at star-studded shows. But yes, after the victory expectations have soared and I have to do more riyaaz (Smiles). Financially, the one big change is that I no longer need to travel by autorickshaws and buses. Even on the day of the finals, I took a local train to the studio. But now, there is a company car to take me around. My wardrobe has also improved, though my look had started changing during the competition itself. (With a grin) Ab naam mil gaya hai the monetary benefits too will start coming. That must be heartening considering how long you had to struggle?
Yeah, it's been a long struggle. I was a civil engineer with a steady government job. But my wife and my passion for music pushed me into chucking up my job and relocating to Mumbai. Vandana is a qualified fashion designer from NIFTT and she too quit her job with Zodiac to concentrate conpletely on my new career. We've been in the city for the last four years and there was a point when having run through all our combined savings, I was ready to go back. But Vandana refused to let me give up on my dreams. She was even ready to take up a job in a call centre to suppport us. Her parents and mine also helped us, not just emotionally but financially too. Had it not been for them, we might not have been able to stay here for so long. What was the welcome like when you returned to Assam after your famous victory?
Sirchir, from where I come, has a population of 8-10 lakh. On the day of my homecoming there were at least 15 lakh people waiting to celebrate with me. It was overwhelming! Even those I had grown up with were wanting to touch me. I don't know where I'll go from here but just to have so much love showered on me, is an achievement in itself. There are so many talented singers around. What made me stand out in the crowd are the people themselves. It's thanks to them that I've come so far. Do you still watch Sa Re Ga Ma Pa?
When I'm home which isn't very often these days. And I remember how I used to be mobbed for autographs...How the camera would follow my every move... It was exasperating then but now I miss the attention. The two Indian Idol finalists too must have brought back memories of the intense competition with Vinit?
I don't know what the equation is like between Karunya and Sandeep but for me Vinit was never a rival. He was like a younger brother who was more into Mohd. Rafi and Sonu Nigam while I moved from Kishore Kumar and Rafisahab to Remo, also borrowing from the rich repertoire of Manna De, Hariharan, Suresh Wadkar, Kunal Ganjawala, Sunidhi Chauhan and KK along the way. Being a new singer it was important to show my range. Udit Narayan at one point was known as Aamir Khan's "voice" and Abhijeet Shah Rukh Khan's. Which actor do you think you're best suited to playback for?
I've proved my versatility so singing for any actor shouldn't be a problem. But given my penchant for romantic numbers, I think I'd suit Shah Rukh and Salman best. Any offers from your home state?
Plenty, for albums and films. Talks are on with some Bengali filmmakers too. I've been a great fan of Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen. (Smiling) Some of their songs like 'Ke prothom kache ashbe...' were very handy in expressing my feelings to Vandana in the years before we married. We'd been friends for 8-10 years since we met at a show. She used to stay close by to my place in Silchar though after a while she moved to Delhi to pursue her career. Fortunately, by then we were family friends and since her parents loved music I would often go over and sing for them. I think man hi man maine tai kar liya tha that I'd spend the rest of my life with Vandana but it was only when she came down for her brother's exams, that I worked up the courage to propose to her. Does Vandana sing too?
She's learnt music and there are times when she joins me for a duet. But she hasn't sung professionally. However, during the competition she'd help me decide which songs I should sing and would push me into doing my riyaaz. The general impression is that even today she's the one taking all the career decisions on your behalf?
Vandana has been my inspiration for years. She brought me to this city and guided me when no one knew Debojit. So why shouldn't she be around me today when I'm finally somebody? I know so many people forget their family once they've made a name for themselves, but I can't be so ungrateful. Vandana was by my side yesterday, she is by my side today and she will be by my side tomorrow. But wouldn't she want to concentrate on her own career now?
Vandana gave up her career to concentrate on mine. The decision set her back by several years. May be now she'll pick up the threads but not yet. (Smiling) I need her to attend to all my phone calls. If I speak too much how am I going to sing?
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Anupamaa
