Debojit's Interview in CA Local Newspaper

Debojit Saha – Artistes Need Fans
"My only ambition is doing good quality work even while staying simple and good," says Debojit Saha, the music sensation from remote Silchar, Assam who made a lot of waves, some musical and some not so musical, when he won the Zee TV's 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' reality music show. He spoke with India Journal during his recent US tour:
Q: How has 'Sa Re Ga Ma' win changed your life?
A: Sa Re Ga Ma' has not only been the biggest platform for me till date but a major turning point because I have been in Bombay for the past three and half years and I have been working in the industry singing for various serials and also doing background singing for films but finally when I went to music directors it would be yes we will hear you today tomorrow, leave your demo we will hear it. But after Sa Re... everybody knows me, they know what I sing and what I can sing. I don't have to give any introduction anymore.
Q: Is it true you were not very keen to take part in the show?
A: I did not want to come in through Sa Re… through a competition or a reality show. But my guruji Pandit Askaran Sharma would keep asking me to take part in these shows. But I finally went because he really insisted that I take part. He strongly believes that there is something in my voice that is bound to click with the audience. He says that the songs I have been given so far to sing do not do justice to my talent.
Q: But after the show started did you like the way things went?
A: After going there my motto was to prove that I am a good singer. Winning or losing was not the criteria for me. I wanted to see how well the public wanted me. Those who watched the show realized that I wanted to win the audience with my singing talent. I stayed simple. I did not veer towards showmanship. Those who know me know that I like a simple life and I like to stay simple. Even after Sa Re I have tried to stay simple and I pray that I remain simple and don't ever change. My only wish is that I continue to sing well.
Q: With success comes the fan. How do you like these young girls jumping all over you?
A: It feels good. It feels good that people recognize me, they like me. A bit of fan following feels good. It's a problem for an artiste if there are no fan followers. It holds good for any artiste. Any artiste without a fan following is not a happy situation. Many a time many don't come forward because I am married. But I want them to be there because I am not thinking anything that's inappropriate. I merely want them to appreciate my music, my singing, and my performance.
Q: But tomorrow if there are no fans left, how would you cope?
A: WelI, think can cope with that. I will be singing for myself instead of singing for the public. If such unfortunate situation were to befall me I will sing for myself, I will do my riaz and I will learn to be content with that. I am a civil engineer. If need be I will take up a job. I think I will be able to deal with it.
Q: Ai zindagi gale lagale…is that Debojit's mantra in life?
A: Well, what I have understood of this song is what makes it so dear to me. I think it says that however and whatever be your life embrace it and move ahead without giving in. I am an eternal optimist. I will never give up. If something goes wrong I will always try to find out what went wrong or where did I go wrong. And I will try and rectify so that tomorrow is better. Whether its in my personal life or my professional life I have a never say die attitude.
Q: Going back to your childhood, when did you realize you had a passion for music?
A: It's been a passion since I was a child. When I was in 4 or 5th grade I used to paint very well. And I would listen to music while I painted. I used to sing whatever I heard and everybody who heard me said I would sing I tune. I was too young to understand. But the elders in the family always felt that I never sang out of key. I think it's a God gift. I was born with it.
Q: But music was not all-consuming passion was it? Because you did go on to take up civil engineering?
A: No, that was not the case. I did not want to become something big by taking up engineering. I was doing it because I had to do it. Music was there inside me all the while. I was so mad about music that I would go watch music shows even the day before my finals without telling anyone at home.
Q: Tell us about your wife?
Debojit: She is also from Silchar. She was working in Delhi. We had known each other for a long time and liked each other. But then she left for Delhi to work as a fashion designer and I got busy with my job as a civil engineer. When my mother died Bandana, and me became very close. I was very lonely. So when my mother died I would call her up a lot more. Then when she came to Silchar 1991 we decided to get married.
Q: And after Bandana came into your life everything changed?
A: Yes. I had not anticipated that things would change so much. I had never thought that I would ever give up my government job to come to Bombay. But she convinced me that I should sing and move to Bombay. We both gave up our jobs and had to start from zero in Bombay.
Q: Then I must say she is a very good johri…
A: Yes, I give her all the credit. It's because she loves me so much she has a lot of faith in my talent. She has had more faith in my talent than me. Actually we got to know each other through music. I first met her during a music show where I was performing and her brother was also performing. She was of course more ambitious than me. She wanted to make something out of our talents. She always wanted to achieve celebrity heights. I got to know of this after I married her. I am happy with what I have. I am more laid back.
Q: Any regrets in life so far?
A: Just that I never did give as much effort to my studies as I should have. I wasted a lot of time. Also, if I had been given the right guidance as a child I would have come forward much earlier.