Actress Sarika pays tribute to legendary musician David Bowie, who passed away on January 10 after an 18-month battle with cancer
When did I first hear him? It was really far back. The kind of attachment I have with him, his music, is possible to build when you are at an impressionable age. I must have been 12. That's when I was also discovering Dylan, Floyd.
Also read: RIP David Bowie (1947-2016) - The man who invented theatrics before Madonna and Gaga
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Sarika. File pic
Musicians shape your life, influence it like few can; as do writers. I don't think actors really have that grip on you; they are playing who they are not. They don't connect with you one-on-one, like musicians can. Which is how they teach you things.
Legendary British singer-songwriter David Bowie, known for hit tracks like 'Heroes', 'Fame' and 'Life on Mars', died at the age of 69 on Sunday — two days after his birthday — after a secret 18-month battle with cancer. One of the most popular and flamboyant artistes of his generation, Bowie is considered a glam rock icon, though he defied being tied to a particular genre. Pic/AFP
Free spirit came Marley [Bob]; philosophy from Dylan. Bowie told me what having an edge truly meant.
If you watch — don't listen to it, you have to watch it — 'Lazarus', his final album released on his 69th birthday last week, you'll see that he is prophetic ['Look up here, I'm in heaven,' he says from his hospital bed].
I was up till 3.30 am on Monday downloading the tracks, as must have millions of his fans. And it's probably around the same time that he was preparing to go. Mr Bowie must have thought, let everyone think of me while I go.
I wouldn't have learnt about his death on Monday morning if I hadn't logged in to send a mail. When I did, the home page was plastered with the news. I didn't know what to say. I simply posted a black and white picture of his on my Facebook page. With certain people, you cry [when they pass on] because they are a part of your growing up, and with them gone, you lose a bit of you. It's like I have no company.
Also read: Bollywood celebs mourn David Bowie's demise
I was watching 'The Prestige' the other day and I realised that although he is a musician, he is splendid at setting trends — his style, hair. Michael Jackson was also a style icon, but not a natural like Bowie.
Although not an actor first, he looked thoroughly professional. And I think more than orchestrating a multi-armed career, he just wished to grow.
It's tough to pick one favourite track. All of them, I like all of them. But 'Andy Warhol' is special because it's so freaky.
The thing about music is it cuts through barriers. Jas [Charanjiva] is Shruti's friend [her actress daughter Shruti Haasan], but when I met her, I found my music soulmate. I was lonely until then because most of my friends aren't Bowie fans.
And then, as you go along life, you realise that your icons are also human. I was on an outdoor shoot for Parzania, and our DOP, Bobby [Robert Eras] heard me play a Bowie track. He told me he had worked with him on a video, and I was like, 'Where have you been the last 20 days, Bobby?!' He said Bowie had the habit of playfully spooking people around him, as he did on the video shot. He'd creep up on people and gently whisper, Boo! 'Legends don't do that!' I remember laughing, but it introduced me to another dimension of his personality.
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