DEBARPITO SAHA
Upcoming Bengali Film music director Debarpito Saha comes up with a heart thumping number of "Aamader Ovijaan" in the soon to be released film Bhalovasha Off Route e". The song has already crossing the charts in the Tollywood film music circles. Here Debarpito speaks his heart out about his venturing into the Music industry of Tollywood and his upcoming projects.
SILIGURI 007: You are one of the few Bengali music directors who is coming up in the Tollywood circuit with a bang. How do you describe your journey till date?
DS: The journey from being the eldest son of a family of businessmen to becoming a music director has been in itself pretty tough yet interesting. Struggling from the streets of north Kolkata trying to make a mark in this city, shifting to Mumbai in the later years and then gradually making my debut in Tollywood, the journey has been musical in it’s own way. I wouldn’t actually comment on the fact whether I am coming with a bang or not, but, what I know deep down inside me is the fact that music is the only thing I can do the best, the only thing that defines me, and the only thing I want to do for the rest of my life.
SILIGURI 007: Though the promos of Valobasha Off route e is still in its infancy stage however, while in its music release the response was immense especially in "Amader obhijaan". Tell us something about those moments.
DS: “Amader Obhijaan” is an out-an-out heavy rock song, and it did come as a surprise that it gained the maximum popularity. Of course I need to convey a special note of thanks to Kausiq Chakraborty, for giving life to this song with his dynamic vocals. It has been a great experience working with him. Even the song “Aai Brishti Jhhepe” which is again a classical fusion track, gained a lot of popularity, and the credit goes to my singers Debapriya, Ujjaini, and Raju Das for their amazing vocals. Honestly speaking all the six songs in the movie, the others being “Mon Re Amar”, “Chain Mohe Aaye Na”, “Toke Bhalobeshe” and “Bhalobasha Off Route-e”, all the songs are special for me in someway or the other. On the whole, the music of “Bhalobasha Off Route-e” will always be special for me.
SILIGURI 007: Bengal is the heart of Film music which is being approved by generations after generations, where do the bengali music directors stand themselves in Bollywood right now?
DS: Bengal has indefinitely been the Heart of film music. Speaking of the present day scenario, I think the legacy still continues. Music directors like Pritam & Shantanu Moitra are counted amongst the most respectable music directors of today. The richness in the music they deliver even today proves the fact that Bengalis are still one of the best music creators in the world.
SILIGURI 007: We want to know more about yourself and your music?
DS: As I said, I come from a business oriented family in Kolkata, I guess I am the only black sheep, who went out of the orthodox track and tried doing something entirely different in life. Although music has been an integral part of our family, but no one actually thought of taking it professionally. It’s just me who proved to be an exception somehow. I did my schooling from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, and gradually pursued Hons. in English from Bidhannagar Govt. College in Kolkata. Music is something that I have inherited from my parents. Since childhood, I have had the chance to grow in an atmosphere, with a lot of music around. I have received formal vocal training in Hindustani classical music and I also hold the Masters degree in western classical music. From studio sessions to live music, I have done it all. I have been a part of a heavy-metal band “Rikterscale” and gradually a part of a jazz-fusion band “Urban Reflektions” back in kolkata as a keyboardist during my college days. It’s post my graduation that I shifted my base to Mumbai and have been working there as a music producer for movies and serials since then. Bhalobasha Off Route-e is my debut Bengali movie, which will always be one of my most memorable projects.
SILIGURI 007: Bengali rock band has revolutionised Bengali music is being said by some music analysts. Do you put your opinions in the same way or want to differ. If so how?
DS: I completely agree to the fact that Rock music has definitely revolutionized the Bengali music scenario. Honestly, since the era of Mohiner Ghoraguli, to Krosswindz, Parashpathar, Cactus, Lakkhichhara, Fossils, Prithibi and many more respectable bands, Bengali music has gained it’s worldwide popularity and it still continues to be. Given the fact that my song “Amader Obhijaan” is a proper film song, yet being a rock number, has gained maximum popularity amongst listeners. In fact, it came as a surprise to me that a few upcoming bands in Kolkata are already performing this song live as a cover number. It’s a matter of great honor for me as I myself have been a part of Bengali rock band music at some point of time.
SILIGURI 007: Over the years the music of North Bengal was very little highlighted in Bengali films. Are you having any plans of exposing the tunes of North Bengal in a populist way so that it becomes a newer dimension into the Bengali music industry?
DS:
SILIGURI 007: Tell us something about your future projects?
DS: Bhalobasha Off Route-e has been my debut venture as a music director. It has truly been an honor to work with Arunava. He is a Director with a wide range of vision. And we did gel a lot during the whole process of making Bhalobasha Off Route-e. He is somewhat pretty fond of me as well. Guess that’s the reason, he has already roped me in for his next venture “Robi Roxxx” which I will start working on from January next year. Presently I have already started working on my next project “Doshomi”, a Suman Maitra film, which is scheduled for release during the upcoming Bengali New Year. I also have a few more projects lined up from January, 2012, which are presently at the basic stage of preparation.
