'We are all very naughty'

Sanam’, the Mumbai-based pop rock band, is a complete package. It comprises of Sanam Puri (lead vocals), Samar Puri (lead guitar and vocals), Venky S (bass guitar and vocals) and Keshav Dhanraj (drums and vocals).

They are known for having brought back the band culture and independent music to the country after a long time. Popular on YouTube, the quadruples are touring the world to entertain their audience.
They had a tete-e-tete with Anila Kurian about their work and life.

What are some of the things you keep in mind while recreating classics?

Sanam: We make sure that we keep the soul and essence of the song as it is. It’s important to connect with the melody and yet dissect certain parts to give it the ‘Sanam’ touch. It’s actually a very thin line but that’s what makes it work.

Why recreate the old songs instead of making new ones?

Samar: Most of the songs we do are what we grew up listening to. It’s great that we get to work on them so that the newer generation is also exposed to them. But we also have our originals.

Where are you headed to?

Venky: We are going to Maldives, Trinidad and Holland for now. We have a few other places in mind as well, the names will be revealed soon.

How is your international audience?

Samar: They are great. We are happy to expose our culture through music and we look forward to continue
doing the same.

Any upcoming projects?
Venky: We are busy with the tour right now. We have a few originals in the basket and a couple of Punjabi songs as well that will be announced soon.

The change in YouTube that you have seen since you started?
Samar: We started with original music and we wanted a platform to showcase our work. We went by a different name then. When we became ‘Sanam’, we decided to be consistent with releases and as YouTube grew, we grew along with it.

Your all-time favourite song of the 90s?

Venky: ‘Pehla Nasha’ from ‘Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar’.
Samar: ‘Main Koi Aisa Geet Gaoon’ from ‘Yes Boss’.
Sanam: ‘Aaye Ho
Meri Zindagi Mein’ from
‘Raja Hindustani’.

Do all of you get along well?

Venky: We have our own share of fun and fights. But we try to take things easy so that we don’t irritate each other too much. Finding that right balance and taking things easy is how we work.

One thing you don’t like about each other....

Venky: Sanam (and I) get annoyed very easily if something goes wrong and we don’t enjoy the place where we are.

Samar: Venky is very stubborn and hell bent on doing what he wants to do.
Sanam: Keshav gets stressed for no reason.

Who is the naughtiest among you?
Samar: (Laughs) We are all very naughty!

The calmest?

Venky: Samar thinks he is calm but I think he is the pretentious calm one (laughs).
Sanam: No, Venky is the calm one.