From “Eei Besh Bhalo Achi” to “Nilanjana”, “Bridhashram” to “Pagla Jagai”, Jebonmukhi singer Nachiketa has captured the hearts of thousands of music buffs for many years. From Jebonmukhi numbers to Rabindrasangeet, this artiste is well-known for his lively, high impact presentation and his incredible rapport with his audience during every stage show. Also, each of his albums have remained bestsellers for many years and are still in great demand in the music market. From composing and singing songs for many hit serials to working with renowned personalities like AR Rahman and Shyam Benegal, he has proved his mettle in Bollywood too. A number of Nachiketa’s albums have bagged the gold disc and he has received accolades from different comers of the world.
We spent some time with this highly creative person who was called a “philosopher” more than a musician by renowned film director Shyam Bengal.
Here are the excerpts…
When did you decide to be a singer?
That was after my father’s death when I just completed my graduation. I knew nothing else other than singing. Moreover there is a tradition to cultivate the singing talent in my family. There were two options for me at that time; either to be a singer or an antisocial… but the first option clicked.
We have heard you say many times that you have not come to sing without being properly trained to sing. Who were your gurus?
Quite a few people have trained me. I was first taught classical singing by my mother and I received some formal training in ghazal from Mr Madan Sudan of All India Radio. I won’t disclose the names of my other gurus.
Do you have any role models?
Yes, Lata Mangeshkar.
When did you get your first break?
I think I’m a skilled and competent artiste and for me there were nothing such a breaks. From the first day till date in the music industry, each and every album of mine is a hit. All stage performance are foot thumping ones. My songs are all related to current life, when I was given a chance to perform in a stage show several years before, my songs captured the hearts of all, including media. You can say in 1993, the album “Ei besh bholo achi is my first break. Approximately 7,00,000 cassettes had been sold that time which broke all records in the music industry.
‘Nilanjana’ is your greatest hit, Isn’t it?
All the 12 songs of that album are hits.
What or what inspired you to compose ‘Nilanajana’?
There isn’t anything special that inspired me. My songs are different stories of my life only, which is very colourful and I won’t disclose much about Nilanjana as I want some phases of my life to remain in darkness.
Rajashree, Poulomi, Satabdi who are these people is your songs?
The songs themselves contain the answer. These are all real characters which I saw in my life of struggle.
What would have your been, had you not been a singer?
I would have been an antisocial. I have quite a bit of that in me! (laughs)
What makes a song meaningful to you?
Passion, though it is a single word, it has a immense meaning rooted in it.
Do you think talent in singing is inborn or can it be developed?
Yes, to a certain extent it is inborn but you need to develop it very well. The greatest example is Nachiketa. I had pharangytis in my childhood and everybody told me that I could be a composer but not a good signer. But I overcome my internal problem and now I am a singer, com- poser, lyricist, guitarist…
Were other’s opinion a challenge for you?
I never took it as a challenge. That time I was very sad as they discouraged me. But now you can say it was a challenge as I am now a renowned singer by overcoming people’s predictions.
Tell us something about your childhood
My childhood days were really colourful. I ran away from home to see the different colours of life when I was in class VII. I used to bear all my expenses, including education, on my own. I never asked anything from my parents. I enjoyed natural beauty, ‘rock baji’ and ‘siti mara’ (laughs).
Do you think that people are not listening to your songs as much as they used to before, since Bangla bands have become popular?
In the bestsellers lists, my albums remain at the top. So, such a question does not arise. My songs are of a different kind so no question of any competition with them. Moreover I came into this field after being trained properly in music, so music buffs can always compare a skilled and non- skilled artiste, the latter are the upcoming bands who know nothing except shouting and showing off.
You have publicly criticised all Bangla bands except Chandrabindoo, what is the reason behind this?
(Thinks for a while) The members of Bangla bands are not skilled or competent artistes or musicians. Shouting at the top of their voices with disco lights will not prove their talents. I like Chandrabindoo, especially Chandrill for his lyrics. His intellect is reflected through his compositions.
Your songs range from “Briddhashram” to “Pace maker”. How do you manage to write about so many themes?
Actually, like I said before, my life is very colourful and write songs based on my personal experiences. My songs are like short stories which are not made-up. I do not need to search for my themes from anywhere else.
Through you first book Naye Nachiketa, we have discovered you as an excellent short story writer too. Would you please comment on this?
All my songs are stories. “Briddhashram”, “Pacemaker”, “Poulomi”- all of them. I’ve just written my songs in the form of stories.
At present, do you have plans of writing more such books?
No, I don’t have so much time now. For writing stories, you need to do a lot of thinking.
Why are you so pessimistic in your book?
I am a great pessimist. I begin every task expecting that I won’t achieve it. Your sorrow diminishes that way.
After your success as a Bengali singer, can we expect to see you in Mumbai?
Everything depends upon luck. I have already worked with AR Rahman and Shyam Benegal in Mumbai. I am waiting for more such opportunities but people think that if you don’t go to Mumbai, you’re not a successful artiste, which is not at all true.
But after all, Bengall is a regional language. People all over the country don’t understand it.
(Thinks) Then Tagore should also have written in Hindi. Satyajit Ray made films in Bengali, but still he was awarded the Oscar. No culture is regional. The media should popularise good songs. Good songs are good songs, no matter in what language they are sung.
You went to San Franciso In 1999 and also performed in many shows abroad. How did the audience respond over there?
See, my songs basically need understanding and abroad only a certain community can understand my language, so they accepted my songs and loved it, but others had a problem in understanding. People are good everywhere.
How has Kolkata responded towards your efforts till date?
If they did not respond positively towards my efforts, then I would not been so popular, right? Actually music buffs understand my songs which are practical and as they coincides with their daily life, they enjoy them a lot.
It is often said that drugs and music goes together. What do you think?
In Bengali we say, “Bajnar cheye khajna beshi!” It means in spite of showing talent or performing well on stage, the performer gives more importance in other unnecessary aspects. Remember, intoxication or addiction to drugs can never show any creative skill of a person. There are different places for different things. One cannot expect to use a bathroom as a bedroom! All these drug-addicted musicians should be thrown out from social life (angrily).
What are you future plans?
I don’t have any such future plans. Time will tell. But I have a dream… I
will retire one day from this music industry and then nobody will find me anywhere, even in time of my death.
Then will you become like film star Suchitra Sen?
Suchitra Sen is very much in Kolkata and people will come to know if anything happens to her, but in my case nobody will be able to trace me anywhere in this world once I retire.
Your message to our readers…
Be honest to yourself.
[By Arnab Nandy, Soumik Choudhury]