“I have often seen good singers, but the blow comes when they replicate other artists. If a singer is already existing what is the point in imitating him?,” says Pritam Chakraborty, who is back on Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2016searching for an impressive voice. The format of the show has changed; in 2009 he judged upcoming singers along with late Aadesh Shrivastava, Shankar Mahadevan and Himesh Reshammiya. This year, he will be gentler and less critical as mentor. The show premieres on March 26.
Though the music composer has explored varied genres of music, he is busy with a Broadway- style musical with Anurag Basu in the upcoming film Jagga Jasoos. “I am really looking forward to it as it will be my maiden attempt and it (Broadway) is altogether a different ballgame.”
Edited excerpts from an interview:
Give us an insight into this year’s edition.
Firstly, the participant needs to be a good singer. He must be true to his soul and carry originality with him. A singer backed by technical know-how and thought process has an edge over others. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa is one platform that has produced original singers like Shreya Ghoshal, Kamaal Khan and Vaishali Mhade. There is no imitation; the selection process is based purely on talent.
What new will the audience see this year ?
This year the contestants will be judged three-dimensionally by a 30-member jury panel, four mentors and the audience poll. The participants will be trained and judged on their playback singing ability. Over the years, I have observed that a singer’s calibre varies when he performs on stage and when he performs in a studio. Live singing is more about strength and throw, whereas a studio performance picks even the breath variation of a singer. Keeping in mind such nuances, we have developed the format.
How challenging was it to choose the best talent?
Oh! The process has been gruelling to the extent that we found it extremely difficult to choose the best of singers. We were constrained to eliminate such amazing talent and it isdisheartening. Earlier, kids used to be very shy and stuck to the sole job of singing. Now, they are a package in themselves. They not only know how to sing, but are equipped with instruments, props, gimmicks, style and answers. They are technologically sound, which apparently helps them in moulding their voice to fit into a certain style. The participants are quite evolved. The show this time is exceptionally exciting and fierce.
How do you view reality shows in the light of reviving the soul of music?
Reality shows act as an entry ticket to the ‘other’ world. And it is only better if it is seen likewise. The real journey starts when a participant experiences and learns the details from the celebrated musicians who are part of the show. I believe reality shows have worked to protect the spirit of music because it connects the entire nation to the core. They act as a library as it helps the producers and music composers to browse through a plethora of good artists that this platform serves.
What is the idea behind calling a “judge” “mentor”?
We wanted to do away with the draconian overtone when being called a judge. We want to be a part of the contestants’ journey of exploring themselves in the realms of singing. We want to be a constant moral support that keeps them at ease. We want to guide them in a good spirit.
Who has been your inspiration?
I cannot name one. As a person grows, his learning and inspiration also evolve. As a kid you are a blank canvas, so at that tender age if you like somebody, you become fanatic. Gradually, as you grow and get a better hold onto things, you start appreciating every form of art. When I was a kid, I was a die-hard fan of R.D. Burman, as l left school and college I started listening to Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Kalyanji-Anandji, Jaidev, and Madan Mohan. So there has been an eclectic mix of composers and music that shaped me.
