Ram Sampath
When you discuss music with Ram Sampath, you could go on forever. From rock music to jazz, from world music to Sufiana music, from Hindustani classical music to thumris, the music producers range of listening is enormous.Though he was earlier part of the rock group Colourblind along with Siddharth Achrekar, it wasnt surprising to hear that Sampaths latest project revolves around thumris.
The youngster has given music for Ram Madhvanis film Lets Talk, and hes created a collage of contemporary sounds and moods around the theme of the thumri.
Obviously, Sampath believes in the timelessness of music. Hes also begun working on a project that blends Sufiana music with various global styles like fado, cajun, zydeco, flamenco and Delta blues. He hopes to release this album by the end of next year.
Our conversation revolves around Lets Talk. He says: Ram Madhvani called me to score the film. He wanted me to use the thumri as a structure.
So we began doing research on thumri, dadra, chaiti, hori and other related forms. I brushed up on my rusty classical learning, went through the NCPA archives and heard about 400 tapes to decide on the kind of songs wed use.
In Lets Talk, Sampath has worked with singers Zarina Begum, Pandit Chhanulal Mishra and Aruna Sairam, among others.
He recalls: I had heard Zarinaji on some forgotten tapes, and I managed to trace her. I travelled to Benaras, Lucknow, Kanpur and Kolkata in search of the right voices.
Besides Colourblind, Sampath has been involved with Shaans Loveology and Tanha Dil, and with Shiamak Davars Mohabbat Kar Le.
What made him switch from rock music to such a genre? Sampath replies: I was satisfied with my Colourblind days, and till today, I have a passion for rock music.
But as I kept listening to more music, I kept discovering riches closer to home. As a producer, this offers a great creative challenge.
Obviously, Sampath gets great satisfaction from his work.
