“Music industry is in a dire need of good lyricists”–SHANKAR SAHNEY
SHANKAR SAHNEY is a name in Punjabi music who had taken the industry on storm in the 90’s. With his “gabaru jawan looks” and “katai katilana” Punjabi accents, the talent still sets hearts on fire. May be we seriously need to take few tips from him of his healthy secrets, that we are going to surely do! With a 56-inch “chaudha seena,”as he prepares asking a simple “heavy-base authoritative voiced” “Hanji”, the heart-throb makes us all gaga!
THE CAPITAL POST in conversation with the legendary singer, belonging to Kirana Gharana, tries to know about the yoga freak’s thoughts on “International Yoga Day” along with an insight to his musically–waved journey marking World Music Day.
Over 2500 shows and 250 music and TV awards! How the journey has been?
I was at the green age of five when stepped into music. Music runs into my blood! I used to perform on Doordarshan and radio. Since then, every day a new chapter is added in my life-journey.
I am humbled to encounter many good people who have supported me a lot.
You say music is in your blood. How easy was to get-through for you?
Undoubtedly, the industry has been very supportive for me. But yes, only support and contact would not do. Luck and talent, both, are equally vital. If you have contacts the only edge you receive is that you will be initially entertained. Further the war field is same for all.
Music to engineering and then again a “U” turn to Music! How did this happen?
My family thought for making a living what atleast I could do is “Engineering”. So I got pushed into it. But then music stayed with me forever. It was in college days that I got much recognition and much bigger audience of around 30k students in Chandigarh. The time marked less singers and thus I could grab the platform. Infact, my first album was released in those times. But while working for 4 years in Kajaraia, I got a chance to work with T-series to whom I came in contact with during the office fests. Since, then I didn’t look back.
Music industry has undergone a vast gulp and change. How comfortable you find yourself with this change?
From the period that marked an era of CDs and records to that of pen-drive and now online, Music Industry has rightly changed! Infact, we being composers get instant feedbacks through WatsApp and social media now, that couldn’t have ever been possible in the days of SMS and audio tapes!
How well you find yourself gelled-up with the fresh talent?
The new talent always compliments the primitive one. It only benefits.We all get to earn a lot.
Whom do you admire in the new talent?
I am inclined towards Sufi and so I like Kanwar Garewal in the fresh ones. He is classy and shall perform long in the race.
The “Mahamritunjay Mantra” sung by you has been a big hit. But it’s been long since that huge success from your end.. Your comments..
I have a number of projects aligned down the line. Iam going to launch a new song with Shaan, “Ghabrao mat, ek din puri hongi man ki sari..” A hopeful song I wrote during my college days and is soon to be released. Shaan has sung it exceptionally well, far well than I had expected.
“Mood hai shairayana”, “Party like a boss”, and a dance no. are other projects lined-up for release.
Many at times we come across connotations like “People have spoiled their taste of music”. Don’t you think our ancestors too lag in handing over the “kala” and “sanskar” properly to the new generation?
The soul of music is missing now. Actually, music industry is in a dire need of good lyricists. Today’s writings are a distorted form of the old ones. Sufi songs are for this single reason so liked as they still are written original.
Punjabi music and Punjab have both been into controversies for its lyrics and drugs. What would be your message to your audience regarding this? Any social campaigns you have thought of?
The audience, the youth gets influenced a lot by songs and music. So, one should be cautious while writing lyrics. Moreover, I like songs roving on family values. Besides, a depressive fact that I had absorbed is that Un-employment is the root of drug addiction! Punjabi’s are very lively. And their liveliness shall not be snatched away.
And if ever I would campaign I would like to do it for family values.
After so busy schedule how do you manage time for family? Besides music, what entices you?
A person has to strike a balance between the two. Work is ok, but, I believe what is more important to me is to be a good person, moreover. Music is life for me, but besides, I like gardening, yoga and meditation. It puts me at ease.
After baba Ramdev taking yoga on exceptional level, and PM Modi also joining the league, how do you like to celebrate this International Yoga Day?
Today, people have become so much machinery. ACs have replaced fresh breezes, junk-foods have replaced home-made kheers and gyms have replaced yoga! On this International Yoga Day I would like to urge the new generation to wake up at “Brahma-murat” i.e. morning before 6. Start your day this way and see miracles happening in your life. Nobody can beat you. This is my personal experience.
After a road rage, you opined, “Delhi roads are not safe”. Your comments..
That happened years ago when a biker gang used to do thrilling stunts on roads. I had registered a complaint about it in the police station. Since then a lot has changed. But yes, Noida is safer than Delhi. At-least you are heard on dialing 100 (smiles sarcastically).
How do you handle negative media reports, if any?
I ignore. To speak and respond is to spur the spat further.
“Punjabis” are so food lovers! Which is your favorite space in Delhi?
Either extremely elite or all desi, “Dhabas”!
Music requires lots of practice, patience and struggle. This, generally, remains missing in the new bies. What would be your tips to them..
Generaly, a singer lives for 5 years. One has to look for some-thing else then. But yes, some do go a long way. New-bies shall stay down-to-earth nevertheless how much huge success they attain.