Summary
Highlights
Arijit Singh discusses the distinction between his public persona as 'Arijit Singh' the artist and his private self. He explains that the popular name is a perception, not his true identity, and that his personal life is separate from the fame. He recounts disassociating from the celebrated name to discover his true self and how his family and friends treat his public name as a joke or find it irritating, to the point where he used to avoid listening to his own songs.
Arijit emphasizes the importance of continuous learning for musicians and individuals, likening it to a culture. He notes that producers and vocalists alike must stay updated to create new sounds. Discussing AI, he sees it not as a threat but as a powerful tool, encouraging musicians to learn and utilize it. He mentions working on patenting his voice using AI to control its usage and highlights how AI can simplify the creative process for singers by allowing them to customize vocal characteristics.
Arijit shares his inspiration for starting Oriyon Films and Oriyon Music, driven by the transformative power of cinema and his passion for music. He explains that film can impact lives positively or negatively, drawing parallels between novels and films as compact ways of conveying stories and lessons. He discusses his experimental approach to filmmaking, inspired by Steven Spielberg, and how he aims to create art without excessive spending. For Oriyon Music, he initially composed to improve his singing and later aimed to scout talent, curate music, and foster collaborations, like his work with Badshah and Kumar Sanu Dada.
Arijit reflects on the profound influence of his teachers, starting with his mother, on his character and discipline. He recounts his classical music teacher's unique methods for teaching focus, such as practicing a single note for extended periods. He explains how these lessons shaped his present-moment awareness. Arijit also details the origins of his 'Tatwamasi' foundation, inspired by his philosophical studies and a desire to serve without personal attachment. He envisions building small hospitals and focusing on health, education, and sports to create a supportive community, emphasizing that genuine volunteers are sought, and funds will be project-based.
Sunny M.R. joins Arijit to share anecdotes about their friendship and professional journey. Sunny recounts first meeting Arijit through a mutual friend and being impressed by his demo CD, leading to Arijit's debut as a playback singer. He comically recalls Arijit's tendency to leave recording sessions due to personal calls, and Pritam Da's playful partiality towards Arijit. They discuss the unexpected compliment of being accused of playing CDs during live shows, a testament to their high-quality sound equipment, and humorous travel stories, including a hotel incident in Dallas and a mistaken room party in Australia.
Arijit shares his perspective on dealing with rejection, stating that he doesn't take it personally as he doesn't value himself as "that important." He addresses concerns about art being compromised for virality, suggesting that any inspiration for creation is valid. Sunny brings up the widespread use of Auto-Tune and Arijit clarifies that it's a tool to enhance emotionally rich vocal takes, not to turn non-singers into artists. He emphasizes its use for subtle refinement, akin to adding salt to food, to preserve the human touch while achieving a polished sound. They discuss their diverse music listening habits, highlighting classical music and various indie artists.
Arijit and Sunny discuss needed improvements in the Indian music industry. Arijit advocates for a fair system where musicians receive proper payment and credit for their work, similar to international practices and film industry standards. He stresses the importance of security for artists, suggesting government involvement in supporting musicians and various art forms. Sunny highlights the need for more government-backed performance venues to encourage diverse artists, noting that private venues often prioritize profit over fair compensation for live music bands. They both emphasize that musicians are the core of the industry and deserve better infrastructure and support systems.