RAJU SINGH: Counting on Hope

"I am a workaholic and I enjoy every moment of my work," says music director Raju Singh. For someone who has composed music for title tracks of over ninety serials, countless jingles, produced famous pop albums, scored background scores for films and is basking in the decent success of his first Hindi film (as a music director) Paagalpan, it is not a surprising thing to say.

First thing that strikes you on getting-to-know Raju Singh better is simple, a man of few words and believes in letting his work do all the talking. "It is better to keep on doing your work and forget everything else. The work that you do will take you ahead. There's a limit to how fast you can paddle your boat. It is best to let your work speak for itself," he utters rather matter-of-factly.

Before we move ahead, let me apprise you with a brief body of work that he has done so far. Raju Singh hails from a family of musicians. He plays guitar and programmes rhythm on the drum machine. He has played for such music composers as late RD Burman, Uttam Singh, Kalyanji Anandji, Laxmikant Pyarelal, Anand-Milind, Rajesh Roshan etc.

Infact, of all the music directors that he has played with, RD Burman managed to touch the chord within. "I've always admired Panchamdas's music. I think he was simply class apart," the disciple admits. Singer Bhupindra Singh has been another positive influence. Many of you may not know that Bhupendra, the singer, who has sung songs like Ek akela is shehr mein/ Raat mein aur dopahar mein.... is also one of the favourite guitarists of RD. Remember the guitar magic on Dum maro dum or Neele neele ambar pe chaand jab chahe. You've got your answer!

" It was Bhupendra who told me to try and incorporate all kinds of styles of guitar playing rather than restricting to any one or two. I reailsed that when one wants to do film music, you have to know how to adapt to different situations," he puts-things-into perspective. I deduced from the conversation that George Benson and Mark Knopfler were his favourites. Quite a good choice, one must say. What's your opinion!

Well, anyway, let's move ahead and try and know him even better. Raju Singh is a man known prolifically for title tracks of many serials. Just check out a few names from a vast repertory: Dekh Bhai Dekh, Aahat, Kashmakash, Banegi Apni Baat, Uff yeh mohabbat, Boogie Woogie, Just Mohabbat, Star Yaar Kalakaar, Tanha, Life nahin hai laddoo, Gharwali Uparwali, Jab khelo sab khelo, Kahin deep jale kahin dil, Aasman se tapki and many more....

Now, with Joy Augustine directed Paagalpan, Raju Singh has scaled theultimate peak a music composer wishes for in Bollywood. So, would you like to state the difference involved while composing for serials as compared to a full fledged film! "Television serials give a different kind of excitement. They are shorter, one can play around with more styles. Film music, on the other hand is a bigger responsibility. One is required to compose according to the situation. And here a lot depends on the director of the film. I think Joy knew precisely as to what he wanted from me and that helped. I think with Paagalpan, I have proved myself as far as films are concerned," he shares the experience.

He is also known for the somewhat-successful non-film album Tum Yaad Aaye with Alka Yagnik and Javed Akhtar. He has produced a string of albums since then and is awaiting the release of a few major products. One of them being Tum Aaye with Alka Yagnik, Hariharan and Javed Akhtar. So, how about telling us something about the experience of working with a stalwart like Javed Akhtar? "He is a magician. I have got a tremendous respect for him."

I am sure you must be wondering as to what else he is doing currently. "I am doing an album with an Egyptian singer Hishan Abbas. The language is Egyptian as well. And it is for the world market. I wouldn't want to talk much, but yes, I am totally charged up about it," Raju Singh says. He is also busyscoring the background score for the Tabu starring movie Chandni Bar.

We had our fill of information. I am sure, you are not disappointed either. But before signing off, any famous last words! "I Hope...."

Text & Pics by: Faridoon Shahryar