Tales of Imagination and Experimentation

Dhritiman Deori’s new single showcases that the indie scene in Assam is on the right track

For years, music lovers in Assam, like in the rest of the region, have remained loyal to western music and international artists. That is not to say that the State did not produce musical legends, but there were only a few and the genres were not as eclectic as elsewhere around the globe. However, over the years, more and more artistes have tried to offer something different, encouraging people to listen to their favourite genres of music, complimented by lyrics in their own language. One such artist, who has been experimenting with different sounds, all the while maintaining his roots, is Dhritiman Deori. His latest single and music video proves that local artistes are as talented, if not more, as their western counterparts.

The Musical Foundation

While countless parents force their children to follow the conventional paths of medicine or engineering, Dhritiman’s parents encouraged him to take up music instead. ‘My father and mother were always interested in classical music. They were also on good terms with many classical musicians from the State, so they encouraged me to learn it.’ After learning Indian classical in Guwahati, he went to Delhi University. After which, he moved to Chennai to study sound engineering. After completing his course, he again made his way to Banaras to further his understanding of Indian classical.

One of the defining moments in his life was when he worked on a cultural preservation project. The project, with a focus on Northeast India, was aimed at creating a digital archive of the different folk instruments found in the region. ‘I would take pictures and videos, and make recordings as well.’ Going through that experience helped him think about taking up music professionally so he quit his job at the media house where he was working. Shortly after, he released his first Assamese album. ‘I collaborated with many musicians from across the region.’