Percussion connoisseur Ranjit Barot on gaining renewed fame while recreating classics we thought you couldn't better
Ranjit Barot drums up a storm during the shoot of Bang Bang
Having grown up to the beat of the late danseuse and his mother, Sitara Devi's musical anklets, Ranjit Barot absorbed rhythm at an early age. The 61-year-old music arranger, film background score composer, music director, singer and drummer has lately taken to rearranging popular film tunes for MTV Unplugged. His first assignment saw him collaborate with AR Rahman on the 1994 chart-topper Urvasi; then, he recreated the song Bang Bang (with Benny Dayal and Neeti Mohan) on a Jazz and Funk template.
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Barot spoke to mid-day about recreating classics. Excerpts from an interview.
Barot (left) lends his voice to Urvasi with Sureshâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088Peters and ARâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088Rahman (extreme right)
How is the experience of recreating classics?
As musicians and artistes, we constantly try to better ourselves and be mindful of what the audience is listening to. This is a natural part of our evolution, it is about being true to ourselves, and do what we feel is right, at that point. As of now, Rahman and Benny-Neeti's episodes are the ones I have actively been involved with.
Though you have done selective work, why don't we hear you as the music director of a film any more?
I think directors look at me as someone who is unapproachable, which is not true (laughs). I am a senior and there is a hang-up somewhere down the line. I feel they are used to working with younger people, who may take sh** from them, which they know I won't. But I would love to do films; I don't think I am that difficult to work with.
Tell us about John McLaughlin's (Jazz and Fusion legend) influence on your music and career.
John McLaughlin is my mentor; the other person is Ustad Zakir Hussain. I have been playing with John ji for six years. We are going on a tour in February to Europe and then, the US in November. He has played with all the drummers that I respect. Being chosen to play with him is a blessing and a validation of my playing abilities. When I joined his band (The 4th Dimension), he told me, "You know, Ranjit, you will have many questions in your mind. I want you to be your joyous self, play and kick everyone's a**, including mine. Until you push us from behind, we will not perform." He is a teacher and he plays like a teenager. He is an incredible force of nature.
Your work pans three generations of music directors. How do you see each era today?
Every era has its pluses. I can't say I prefer one era to the other. I am fortunate to have come from the school of RD Burman, Kalyanji-Anandji and Laxmikant-Pyarelal. And today, I have worked with Anu Malik, Ismail Darbar, Pritam, Vishal-Shekhar, Rahman and almost everybody who is around in the music industry. It was a learning experience working in different eras; one era was rooted in live playing philosophy and now, technology plays a big role in our music. It feels great to have been a part of all the aspects of music creations.
What is the one lesson you value from the veterans?
Respect. It is the first word that comes to mind. We must have respect for our fellow musicians, filmmakers should have respect for music directors, we, as musicians, should respect our listeners as they should respect us. It is a wonderful state of mind. I believe respect keeps you in a state of grace. I don't like power play. I don't think anybody should be made to feel anything but beautiful all the time.
When do we hear your next album?
I am working on it; you will hear it soon. Do check out my previous album, Chingari. It was with the late U Srinivas (mandolin legend), and it turned out to be his last recording. He passed away soon after its release (in 2014) and we couldn't promote the album.
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