Musical chairs

ANKIT TIWARI recently came up with his own label. He tells TANISHA BHATTACHARYA that singers need to invest in non-film music to stay relevant 

- TANISHA BHATTACHARYA

Ankit Tiwari was introduced to music from a tender age as his family runs a musical troupe called Raju Suman And Party in Kanpur. Having his mother as a devotional singer had a profound impact on him. He says he could pick up a tune even before he learnt to speak properly. His parents could gauge his passion and got him trained in classical music. “My mom is a devotional singer. I’ve grown-up om bhajans, mata ki chowki, jagraate. It started from there. My grandfather was a good Dholak player. Baba used to play in the temples and he would take me with him. My beginnings came from the temples,” he reveals. His mother herself isn’t a trained singer and wanted her son to get the basics right. He took the advice to heart and not only trained his voice but picked up on the intricacies of playing different instruments as well. “I can play the tabla, keyboard, piano, percussion, and drums. Every singer who wants to excel, it’s important for them to learn classical singing as your base becomes strong,” he emphasises.

Apart from religious music and classical training, Ankit also listened to film music and grew up idolising legendary playback singers Mohammed Raf and Kishore Kumar. He says both Rafi and Kishore Kumar were known for their commitment to their art and one should learn from them. “Rafi saab had a unique voice, full of pathos and intensity. Kishore da had the most expressive voice. It was frothy and fun and also full of attitude. They’re an example to us all even now.”