Listening to music started very early in my life. I think the song ‘Papa Kehte hain’ started it all for me when I was may be 6-7 years old. A few years later my mother got me into Indian Classical music. I did that for a couple of years but eventually studies took over and I did not continue with it.
Music came back to life when I went to Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology where I went to pursue my engineering. I remember the first day when I got there, I heard someone was playing Michael Learns to Rock and it felt really good. I felt closer to Shillong. But till then I was just singing for a few friends in my room. Things took a huge turn when one day a friend of mine dragged me to this vocal audition for one of the events in college. They really liked the song and my voice and after a few days I sang in front of people for the first time. It is a moment that will forever stay with me. The appreciation I got was so overwhelming. That was the moment I realized that there is something special I discovered in myself and I have never looked back since then.
My family has been very supportive in whatever I do and did in my life so far. Now that I am a full-time musician, they are really very happy and are supporting me from the core of their hearts. My wife was the one who gave me the confidence to quit my job and follow my passion. So yes, it’s been really good to have a family like that.
When I first started, I was out and out a retro Hindi Singer. Kishore Kumar till date is my biggest influence. But in College, I saw my first Rock Show and it changed my life forever. This band called Parikrama came to our college and watching them I almost lost it. It was an experience that cannot be described in words. Somehow, I wanted to sing western songs after that. But it wasn’t easy at all. I auditioned for our college band and failed miserably. The diction, power, connection was all missing. But I persevered and eventually got to sing in the battle of the bands on my last year of college. Till date, nothing felt better than that. But the struggle was immense as it was a completely new thing for me. Today I am singing on TV and I feel that perseverance was so important.
I feel that everyone should try and make their passion their profession. I know it’s easier said than done but if you work hard, you will reach a point in life, where you are really happy and contented. I like singing because I connect with so many people and the fact that I have found a way to connect with so many people, both in India and abroad, is mind boggling. I am very fortunate that I discovered music in me. I think I will die a happy man.
One of the most significant achievements is that I was amongst the top 9 contestants on the third season of Stage 3. It’s the first ever English Singing competition in India. I am honoured to be a part of this group.
When it comes to significant things in my life, one of them is definitely getting married to my wife. She has literally changed my life around. Well as I have said earlier, she is the one who convinced me to quit my job and pursue music. So, she plays the most important role.
Another significant moment was when I got a call from Sushant Thakur, the lead guitar player for a Delhi based blues/rock band called Big Bang Blues. He asked me to join as they were looking for a vocalist. I am now a part of the band and it’s been an absolute joy ride.
I think it’s imperative that one enjoys what one does for a living. I know it’s easier said than done, but we really need to question ourselves during teenage as to what is it we want to do. If one is lucky, you get the answer. However, that is only the start. Especially if one decides to be a musician, it’s a bumpy ride all the way through. So, keeping focus and enjoying the journey is how I think one can excel. We need to be sincere but not very serious.
I will be brutally honest. Independent music, especially western music, has very little money in it for you to survive. So, the perseverance in it becomes all the more important. But music is a beautiful thing and if you truly believe in it, you will be happy for the rest of your life. Do not pretend to be someone else. Bring out the music that comes from your heart and please just focus on original music because at the end, that is what really matters.
Always remember – Hope is a good thing.
–Diyatom Deb
Imagination Breathing 