My father is my first guru: Arav Rishik

‘And being trained under Hamsalekha helped me understand music better,’ says up-and-coming composer

Chemistry of Kariyappa’ fame Arav Rishik is one among the upcoming music composers in Kannada industry. He was lauded for the background score in the film, and his songs became hits even before the film’s release. Arav has been getting a lot of opportunities post ‘Chemistry of Kariyappa’. In a candid chat with Rakshitha M N, he talks about his musical journey, his upcoming films and more.

Tell us about your experience working for ‘Chemistry of Kariyappa’.
The film indeed was a big break in my career. I had the opportunity to work with some of the leading musicians in the industry. I had not expected the music to be such a big hit, I have to give credit to our team’s hard work.

How did your music career start?
I was introduced to music at a very young age. My dad S Loganath, a drummer, is my first guru. He and his musician friends had a band, and I used to watch them perform every day after school. They used to perform at various orchestras, and I also started attending them and eventually, I took over the orchestra completely. After six years, I was acquainted with lyricist K Kalyan, and that is how my film career started. There has been no looking back since then.

You are a student of veteran music director Hamsalekha. Did it help you to establish yourself in the music industry?
Getting proper training in music is the right way to go, according to me. Talent matters, sure, but being trained under an expert gives certain insights into the industry that helps you walk on the right path. I met Hamsalekha while performing at shows. The bond has continued for eight years now; I play at almost all of his concerts.

Your upcoming projects?
I have many upcoming projects lined up. ‘Mounam’ and ‘Don Kumar’ are among them.

Lastly, what is your advice to aspiring music composers?
A lot of youngsters get into this field without any prior knowledge. My advice for them would be to read up and know exactly what they are getting into. Make use of all the instruments
available and get the best out of it.