Baiju Mangeshkar

Music Room

“I’ve never knocked on doors using my surname to yield assignments or push myself.” – Baiju Mangeshkar

Lata Mangeshkar & Baiju

He belongs to one of the most legendary “singing” families in India. That’s right… Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle are his aunts and his father is music maestro Hridyanath Mangeshkar. Meet the very talented Baiju Mangeshkar who in a conversation with Sumita Chakraborty talks about his family legacy, his music album Within You, advantages and disadvantages of belonging to an illustrious family

I believe you recorded your first song at the age of 10. Could you describe your musical journey… how did your musical journey start?

Yes, I cut a disc at the age of 10. It was a children’s album that was in an opera style with a story that included songs and dialogues for the music company HMV and it was composed by my aunt Meena Mangeshkar. I started learning music formally from my first guru Pt. Tulsidas Sharma ji from the Patiala gharana at the age of 9. Unfortunately after three years of training, he passed away and then there was a bit of a gap as one was immersed in studies at school. I later started training in light classical music when I was in college with Pt. Ramesh Jule ji and Pt. Ajay Pohankar ji. It was during my college years that I had the honour and privilege to accompany Lata ji on a concert tour abroad where she introduced me on stage as an adult singer. A few years later after I graduated through friends I got offers to sing for a few films in Marathi, Hindi and Bhojpuri most of which that didn’t see the light of the day and during the same period, I sang a theme song for a Marathi film under my father’s music direction which was released and received some modest recognition. Thus that became my debut into the world of recorded music and film as an adult.

Baiju Mangeshkar

Your music album Within You is out… Could you tell us about it?

‘Within You’ is my first solo album, which has been released on Times Music. It is a soulful bouquet of six Sufi songs presented in a contemporary style with influences of world music and Indian classical traditions. Each song is different from each other in its stylistic approach thus one can hear a gamut of styles such as meditative trance, soft jazz, soft rock and light Hindustani classical. The ‘kalaam’ (lyrics) are by three revered Sufi saints of 16th century India: Hazrat Shah Hussain, Baba Bulley Shah and Khwaja Ghulam Farid. Also featured are two modern lyrics that are typically ‘sufiyana’ in thought written by Amruta, an emerging and gifted young poetess. The songs have been arranged by Jatin Sharma, with a host of highly talented Indian musicians contributing to the soundscape, including musicians from the west; Susan Mazer (jazz harp virtuosa) and Dallas Smith (master of woodwinds and saxophone), both of whom have worked with legends such as Frank Sinatra, Ahmed Jamal, Johnny Mathis, and our very own R.D.Burman. Songs and lyrics in the album, which may on first hearing appear as romantic ballads, are subtly disguised plays on the Sufi concepts of ‘Ishq-e- Majaazi and Ishq-e- Haqeeqi’. ‘Ishq-e-Majaazi’ is the transitory love felt for another human being born out of emotional or physical desire, and ‘Ishq-e-Haqeeqi’ is a higher love felt for the Creator. This love and romance of a higher intensity is the theme in this album. ‘Within you’ is a musical inner journey within one’s being, transporting the listener into the realm of love, devotion and peace!

You’re lineage is truly amazing. Could you tell us about your bond with Ashaji, Lataji, your father Hridyanathji and your family?

Lata ji, is the head of our family. She holds a unique position for us all as a family head, sometimes undertaking the role of a father, a mother, an aunt and a guiding spirit who is an ideal role model and a source of constant

“Yes, I cut a disc at the age of 10.”

inspiration for me personally. Needless to say it’s a relationship of utmost reverence and tremendous respect for the artist and the person she is. Musically too she has been my greatest influence and continues to be so. She and I share a great bond discussing the history of music whether it’s her own music or music in general. Given her knowledge, achievements, accomplishments, position and age, she is very attentive and respectful towards my opinions even if she disagrees. She allows me to speak my mind freely never once putting me down. It’s an incredible quality and it speaks volumes of her unparalleled position in the history of music! I’m very privileged to be privy to many wonderful moments, memories, anecdotes, and experiences of her glorious career, which she has candidly and generously shared with me in particular over the years. With Asha ji most of us are very relaxed. She is a fantastic cook and she’s often sharing recipes with me. She has always motivated me to keep working at my music and is very encouraging.

“With Asha ji most of us are very relaxed. She is a fantastic cook and she’s often sharing recipes with me.”

You also recorded a song with Lataji titled Ya Rabba, could you tell us about this experience?

‘Ya Rabba’ was my first album that comprised four songs composed by me with two duets sung with Lata ji. It was a dream come true. Every singer, composer or poet in the subcontinent has expressed a desire or aspires to share musical space with her. I too harboured this wish secretly within me! I realised no one was going to offer this to me on a platter and I had to make it possible all by myself! Thus when I composed this Kalaam – ‘Rabba Mere Haal Da Mehram Tu’, I instantly knew this composition was worthy enough for her to consider singing. I also realised given the nature of my relationship with her, it couldn’t be a romantic song. The spiritual and universal message in this song was the most ideal choice as a duet for us to sing together. I made a scratch recording and presented it to her, she liked it and agreed to sing! Since I had witnessed her record in the studios before, I was aware of how she conducted herself so it wasn’t a very daunting experience but yes, I must admit I was nervous of the fact that would I gather the courage to give her a suggestion or two when she faced the mic. She absolutely put me at ease and gave me the respect as a composer of the song as though I was a veteran or her contemporary. I knew this quality about her but when I experienced it personally, I was overwhelmed by her greatness and humility! This experience of sharing musical space with her would easily be one of the highlights of my existence so far and I doubt if anything can ever top this in the future!

“Lataji absolutely put me at ease and gave me the respect as a composer of the song as though I was a veteran or her contemporary.”

Lata, Asha & Baiju

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being from such an illustrious family?

In any field someone who hails from a privileged background faces advantages as well as disadvantages. They are two sides of the same coin. I’ve had a fair share of experiencing both. Disadvantages such as people and their expectations, pre-conceived assumptions, intolerance towards mistakes etc. I personally detach myself from such things and give my all to my work. I judge myself harshly and so it’s important as an artiste for me to please myself first before anyone else. I’m always striving to better myself, my art and craft with every project. I have my own exacting standards and aspirations to live up to.

You have always said that you’ve never used your surname to get work… Could you elaborate on that?

Yes, I’ve never knocked on doors using my surname to yield assignments or push myself. In all earnestness I wish to achieve recognition through letting my work speak for me. That would give me more joy! I’m also a firm believer in destiny and what is meant to come

“In any field someone who hails from a privileged background faces advantages as well as disadvantages.”

57

one’s way will make its way! I’m aware I have big shoes to fill which is not possible in ones lifetime but id rather develop my own distinct individuality in my work whether its my voice or the sound and let my sensibilities surface in my music. Everyone has the right to make a place in the sun and one can only try ones best by giving it ones all and with the purest intention.

“I’m hoping to get some videos made of the remaining songs from my latest album Within You.”

What are your favourite songs from the ones you’ve sung?

All my songs are my babies and each one is special to me in its own way. ‘Rabba Mere Haal Da Mehram Tu’ sung with Lata ji will always hold a very special place in my heart. Similarly one of my Marathi non film Ghazal ‘Ya Nadichya Paar’ sung under my fathers music direction and my recent composition ‘Mere Sahiba’ from my latest album are very close to my heart especially for the immense appreciation I received from many stalwarts in the music world in India as well as across the border such as Begum Abida Parveen ji, Begum Farida Khanum ji, Runa Laila ji, Ustad Tafo saab.

You’re also a composer… Could you tell us about this journey?

Composing a song or setting a lyric or poem to a tune is a very gratifying and exhilarating feeling to say the least. It is such a special moment when one is struck by “Aamad” the inspiration, which I think, is divine and one almost feels like a mere medium and channel expressing that creation that comes from a divine source. So far I have only composed non-film music but I'd love to compose a song or two for a film someday given the opportunity.

How about Bollywood… Would you want to work in the film industry?

I’m open to working anywhere whether it is films, non-films, documentaries or television. As I mentioned earlier it’s interesting to note that my beginnings as an adult singer began with film songs! So yes, I’m open to films!

What about the digital platform – do you plan to straddle this platform too?

Digital platform? Do you mean music streaming platforms such as Gaana etc. or do you mean Netflix, Amazon etc? As I mentioned earlier I’m open to showcasing my creativity and work in any medium

“No, there is no thought of any collaboration with either of the aunts at the moment. Hopefully, something might transpire!”

provided I get the opportunities. It would be indeed very interesting to sing or compose for the kind of cinema that’s shown on Netflix, Amazon and also the new age sort of parallel cinema of the recent times that are inclusive of music of very diverse styles, genres and sounds.

Which are your all-time favorite songs and artistes?

I have very eclectic tastes in music and I grew up listening to world music. There are many singers and composers I absolutely adore, who are like my gurus that have inspired me and continue to do so. From the Indian subcontinent other than my family, my favourite singers are Madame Noor Jehan, Ustad Mehdi Hassan, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Begum Farida Khanum composers like Jaidev ji, Madan Mohan ji, Shankar Jaikishan ji and R D Burman ji. From the middle east its Fairuz, Um Khulthum and The Rahbani brothers. From the west it’s the The Beatles, Harry Nilsson, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Burt Bacharach and Dinah Washington. These are some of my all-time favourite artistes’.

Any artiste with whom you would want to collaborate in the near future?

India is a country blessed with so much talent. I’d love to collaborate with the supremely talented instrumentalists of our country on my compositions and of course, would love to sing under composers such as A R Rehman, Vishal Shekhar to name a few who’s work I have admired.

Any collaboration with Lataji and Ashaji in the pipeline?

No, there is no thought of any collaboration with either of the aunts at the moment. Hopefully, something might transpire!

What are your upcoming projects?

I’m hoping to get some videos made of the remaining songs from my latest album Within You. It of course requires funding, sponsorship so fingers crossed. Meanwhile, I’m trying to work on a few singles in Hindi and Marathi.