Ranjit Barot: Film directors find me unapproachable

Ranjit Barot drums up a storm during the shoot of Bang BangHaving grown up to the beat of the late danseuse and his mother Sitara Devis musical anklets Ranjit Barot absorbed rhythm at an early age The 61yearold 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 charttopper Urvasi then he recreated the song Bang Bang with Benny Dayal and Neeti Mohan on a Jazz and Funk templateBarot spoke to midday about recreating classics Excerpts from an interviewBarot left lends his voice to Urvasi with Sureshacircu00c2u0080u00c2u0088Peters and ARacircu00c2u0080u00c2u0088Rahman extreme rightHow is the experience of recreating classicsAs 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 BennyNeetis episodes are the ones I have actively been involved withThough you have done selective work why dont we hear you as the music director of a film any moreI think directors look at me as someone who is unapproachable which is not true laughs I am a senior and there is a hangup somewhere down the line I feel they are used to working with younger people who may take sh from them which they know I wont But I would love to do films I dont think I am that difficult to work with Tell us about John McLaughlins Jazz and Fusion legend influence on your music and careerJohn 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 everyones 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 todayEvery era has its pluses I cant say I prefer one era to the other I am fortunate to have come from the school of RD Burman KalyanjiAnandji and LaxmikantPyarelal And today I have worked with Anu Malik Ismail Darbar Pritam VishalShekhar 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 veteransRespect 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 dont like power play I dont think anybody should be made to feel anything but beautiful all the time When do we hear your next albumI 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 couldnt promote the album