JOIN US'My music represents true India'
Despite no formal training in music, Raghu Dixit has made his mark in Bollywood and outside.
Pre-conceived notions about what a musician-composer should look like have to be set aside when you see a man dressed in a lungi, waist-length sleeveless kurta, with ghungroos on his feet.
As the tall, dark complexioned gentleman strums his guitar and begins crooning in a mellifluous voice which transports you to another world, you realise that he is indeed a musician par excellence. Meet Raghu Dixit - the acclaimed rock folk artist, known for his rare combination of Indian folk and international music.
“Folk is the core element in my music. It can be from different parts of the country but then we make it different by incorporating international styles like rock and Latino. Basically, whatever hits our experience is reflected in our songs,” says Raghu the lead vocalist of ‘The Raghu Dixit Project’, whose popular songs Mysore se aayi and Hey Bhagwan from his first album Antaragni created a buzz among music lovers.
Calling his music ethnic and rooted to the core but at the same time global in its outlook, Raghu says “Our music truly represents today’s India which retains its originality but at the same time is ready to integrate Western traditions.”
So, can his songs be termed as fusion? “I don’t call my music fusion but if audiences are enjoying my songs considering it fusion, then I don’t mind it,” says the talented musician who believes in composing soulful music.
“I cut off myself completely from the world when I compose songs. I am transcended to a different world full of joy. I try to get those soulful experiences in my songs too.”
It may surprise many but Raghu has had no formal training in music. He started his career as microbiologist, learned Bharatanatyam for 17 years and finally landed with music! “For me it’s a natural progression. I loved listening to music but never explored that ‘something’ hidden within me. Four years back, I decided to be musician. I left my job in Belgium, returned to India and formed a cult Indian rock band,” recalls Raghu.
It was divine intervention in 2007 when composers Vishal and Shekher spotted him and helped him come up with his first self-titled album which became the best selling non-Bollywood record in India. This paved the way for Raghu in Bollywood. He went on to compose music for Mujhse Frandship Karoge and is now working on Amit Sahni ki List featuring comedian-turned-actor Veer Das.
However, Bollywood music does not interest the talented musician much. “Performing for live shows is better. I forayed into the industry with my kind of music, and concerts give me an open opportunity to explore music and come up with something new.”