13 January,2009 06:59 AM IST | | Bhairavi Jhaveri
Bollywood music composer Aadesh Srivastava at his studio at Juhu. Pic/Sayed Sameer Abedi
Besides international pop artists, music composer Aadesh Shrivastava is very keen on collaborating with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra for his upcoming tribute-to-Mumbai album. Bhairavi Jhaveri tunes in
That music is a universal language, which isn't inhibited by any religion, may be a clichu00c3u00a9 you have heard once too many times. But that hasn't deterred Bollywood music composer Aadesh Shrivastava to create boundary-defying compositions and collaborations. "After the November 26 terror attacks in Mumbai, peace and revolution have become the need of the hour," says Shrivastava, adding, "When spoken through the language of music, everybody listens and understands. We don't want to talk about Ishwar or Allah through this album." Lyricist Sameer and renowned classical violinist, Kala Ramnath of the Mewati Gharana dubbed "The Singing Violin", are on board with Aadesh to make this idea possible.
What is the idea behind this album?
"The idea is to create a revolution. It will be based on pure Raag, but the arrangement will be Western. A hardcore fusion piece," says Aadesh, minutes after getting out of a meeting regarding its
production. Currently the 4-track album that is being backed by JK Shrivastava's Veecon Music Company, is based on Mand, Hans Dhwani, Raag Darbari raags, and will see a potpourri of English and Hindi lyricists. "Wendy Parr, an American lyricist who wrote for Slumdog Millionaire and Zoya Akhtar, will be writing the English tracks, whereas Sameer will pen the Hindi ones." The vocalist for allu00a0 four tracks is Hindustani vocal artist, Ustad Rashid Khan, who belongs to the Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana. "We are also very privileged that tabla maestro Zakir Hussain is part of this interesting nexus."
Rihanna and Justin to work with this crew?
"The talks with my manager and attorney in LA with Justin Timberlake's and Rihanna's managers are still on. Thankfully, I do have my connections, since I have worked with Wyclef Jean in the past. It could be positive," says Aadesh. But what would really enthrall this composer would be, "Working with an orchestra of 95 talented musicians," he gushes. He has kept his fingers crossed about working with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra for the album,u00a0 meanwhile strategising ways to promote the album. A performance at the President's home in New Delhi is an idea the team is considering.
The album will be out this February-March. Aadesh Shrivastava is currently working on an animated film, a comedy, 24 Hour Gup Chup Gup Chup, and a sports-themed film, World Cup 2011.
