I have such fond memories of Pune, both professionally and personally,” says singer Siddharth Basrur when we caught up with him in the city last week. Not many know that Siddharth has his family living in Pune and makes it a point to regularly visit them. The singer adds, “When I was a kid, I used to keep coming here during Diwali vacations and genuinely enjoyed being here. My family lived in Karvenagar and back then it was literally a forest. Over the years, the area and the city have developed.”
Siddharth, who has also performed at several night clubs here, says that the owners of those places believe in indie music. “Their intention is noble and therefore they promote indie music. Overall, the indie music scene has seen a rise and downfall considering that there were fewer music festivals earlier, and slowly most of them fizzled out. Only those who are serious are still organising it,” says the playback singer who balances his career between playback and indie music.
Siddharth has featured as a live performer with Karsh Kale, Midival Punditz, Grain, Ox7gen, Sandunes and several others. Ask him whether his popularity in Bollywood has given his indie music career a boost and the singer says, “Not really because they are two different things. Indie music is creating its own niche with festivals like NH 7 and others. With musicians like AR Rahman performing, the festivals are getting more attention. In fact, it has helped me to sing in jingles.”
There are all kinds of songs being created in Bollywood nowadays.
Some make an impression, while others are forgotten in a day. Does he treat each song differently then? “No matter what kind of song I sing, I always give my best. Even if it’s not my style or not suits the film, I still approach it like any other song. That’s because a lot of people have put in their effort while making a film, so it’s my job to make sure that I also give my best,” he adds.
The singer has lent his voice to several Bollywood numbers like Jaaniya, Tera Nasha, Haseena Tu Kameena Main, Naach Meri Jaan, Neend Na Mujhko Aaye, Get Ready To Fight, Paani Ka Raasta, Parwah Nahin, among others. In the process he has worked with several music composers Sachin-Jigar, Gourav-Roshan and others. Siddharth says that because they are of the same age, the vibes are good and positive.
“While working with each one of them, I put in my own flavour and if they have some suggestions, they are like, ‘Let’s do it this way.’ When I go to the studio, I have to unlearn everything which comes naturally to me and then we are on the same page. It’s my responsibility to know what the composer wants and how I have to deliver it to them,” says the singer who has worked with various bands spanning a variety of genres, ranging from pop and metal to acoustic and electronic.
The singer has recently sung for Munna Michael’s Beparwah and Baat Ban Jaye (A Gentleman). He is happy with the positive response that the songs have been receiving.
Siddharth is now trying out something new. He has signed a musical which will be staged later this year. “I got interested because it’s a musical. There are several other musicians who are part of it. Currently, I am getting vocal training for the musical,” says Siddharth who has also featured in the song Marghat, composed by music composer, Clinton Cerejo for Coke Studio Season 3.
