BANGALORE: DJ, composer, producer, performer and multi-instrumentalist Mayur Narvekar — the face and voice of the internationally-acclaimed Bandish Projekt — was in the city to kick start the Hennessy Artistry series in India along with Vienna-based electronica artistes Makossa & Megablast. Expresso caught up with this new wave Indian musician, just before the show.
The fan base
Bandish Projekt, plays a synthesis of sounds and genres, from folk to classical to inde to electronica, all together in an interesting package, — a music form that’s new to Indian mass audience. Hence it comes as no surprise that Narvekar's music is more popular outside then in his homeland. He tells us more about his fan base. “We are big in Europe. We do a lot of activities in the UK, but the funny thing is that we have the biggest fan following in the US where we have never performed,” he says, adding, “it’s heartening to see people from NY and San Francisco appreciating our work.”
Indian audience
“Indian audience will listen to only what they like,” he says. It’s tough to please Indian audience because, he feels, they have a basic mindset — to listen to what’s popular. Says Narvekar, “We generally don’t like to experiment with new music. We are lazy, we need to be fed to listen to what everybody else is listening.” As a musician I think for the music I make,” he notes.
Indian music scene
“There is no music industry in India — it’s just Bollywood,” he points out. Bollywood is the only major industry and its Bollywood music that gets all the appreciation and moolah.
However, he also notes that there’s so much talent in the country, that is appreciated internationally.
“The music associated with us is different from the usual commercial music, but it survived because i believe in the music I make — it was never commercial success I wanted”, he says.
The in-thing
“Collaboration will be the next gen trend,” says Narvekar. It’s a challenge to perform with musicians from different genres. It’s a learning process.
Words of wisdom
“Open your ears and listen to everything,” is his piece of advice for all the budding musicians.
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