Singer-composer Zubeen Garg on his latest album and films |
Over the years, Zubeen has worked with most of the 250 Assam tribes to develop their music and bring it to the mainstream.
New albumPromoting his latest album, Zindagi, Zubeen is ecstatic about the way his career has shaped up. His debut pop album, he says, is very poetic and brings together the various colours of life. "It has no garam and masala pieces. I have collaborated with my friend Alaap for this album. Zindagi has a mix of Indian and Western music. There's my favourite Sufi and Assamese folk music as well. Plus, it includes a couple of remixes," he elucidates. The album also has Shafqat Ali Khan from Pakistan and well-known South Indian singer Chitra lending their voices.
"Ya Ali" brought him under the spotlight. But after composing music for 24 Assamese films, besides a few Bengali movies, and over 40 albums to his name, Zubeen is still mistaken to be a newcomer by many. "That's how it is in Mumbai – one hit and you are everywhere. But people in the industry don't treat me like that as I have been around for a decade now. In Assam, everyone knows me," says the 35-year-old, who sang in films like Fiza, Kaante, Pyaar Ke Side Effects, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom and Victoria No. 203.
For now, he is singing for two to three films every week, which includes Drona and a few others for music director Pritam and Viju Shah. But all his attention, he says, is on albums currently. "I have a Bengali album, which will release next month. Parkeeza is my solo album with a lot of North-Eastern elements in it. It's completely done by me – the music, the videos and the production. I am also working on another album, which will be a tribute to S.D. Burman. I will take his folk songs and do them up in lounge style," he says.
Filmmaking is another passion he nurtures. After his first Assamese film, Tumi Mur Mathu Mur which he wrote, directed and acted in, he is working on his first Hindi film script.
"Actually I have five ideas in mind but I am scripting only one. It's a dark movie but a political thriller. It's going to be high budgeted and I would want Saif to do it but I need good money for that," sums up the singer who is now seen in the reality music show on SaharaOne, Jjhoom India.
MANGALA RAMAMOORTHY