INTRODUCTION
For us, India’s music is so close to the heart, and India’s singers from a variety of languages and states so many that we met through this journey, all wrote the same thing “They all love the music of the land”. Neeraj was one of those outstanding singers who wrote to us and told us how much, he is active in the Maharashtra music world and it was our honor to have him agree to be on these pages.
Let us know about you, please tell us about yourself.
“Neeraj Vaidya, that is my name. I am from the beautiful historic city Aurangabad, from the state of Maharashtra, India. My dad is Late Shri Arvind Vaidya had been an influence on my life as a socially responsible human being. He himself had an illustrious career as the Chief Editor of the well-known Newspaper “Daily Maratwada”. My mom is a retired teacher and had been a constant encouragement in my life. I am married and my wife’s name is Shruti Vaidya and we together have a son Abhiram who is in school age.”
A brief description of your growing up and your destiny with music
“I have not much background of music in my family, but I always had a passion for music from childhood. It was my mother and my school music teacher Smt. Moghe recognized my talent and love for music through school music performances and encouraged me. I had won many medals and certificates in inter-school music competitions. My formal Hindustani classical music training started under the esteemed guidance of Pt. Yashwant Kshirsagar (Please refer to the link in the references therein. Pandit Kshirsagar is a proponent of Gwalior and Mewati Gharana). My journey of classical music started at the early age of 15, which I had maintained till date.”
“At the age of 18 years, I became an approved All India Radio (A.I.R.) artist. I have given playback and music direction for many Marathi television serials and dramas, winner of Music reality Television show ‘Meri Awaaz Suno’ telecasted on famous Channel Star Plus, (The original show from India’s national TV was reprised on Star Plus) originally produced by Legendary Indian Singer Lata Mangeshkar and film director Yash Chopra.”
“I am Founder of musical groups named ‘Malhar’ and ‘Aaroh’ which organize and perform Social Conceptual music concerts in cities across Maharashtra State. Concert photos and videos links are available on my YouTube and Facebook links.”
Your stronghold on music comes from basic Hindustani training from some of the best proponents of Hindustani Gharanas. Please talk to us about this more.
“Yes, I am a trained Hindustani Classical vocalist, a disciple of Pt. Yashwant Kshirsagar, a proponent of Mewati and Gwalior Gharana Gayaki and disciple of Pt. Jasraj.
My very first lesson, which my GURU taught was to tune a Tanpura. This went on for months, thus resulting in acquaintance with SWAR. He had a different style of teaching and was very firm and strict in adherence. He was of the strong belief of training only on Tanpura. This led to my strong foundation in SUR. His famous quote “TAAL GAYA TOH BAAL GAYA, LEKIN SUR GAYA TOH SAR GAYA’ is still fresh in my memory.”
“His focus was on practical and less on theory. He believed that music being a performing art needs continuous practice. So, he used to make me practice a raga for months together, which I sometimes felt was boring. But now I realize the importance of RIYAAZ.”
“He loved my renditions in Raag “Yaman Kalyan’ the most, I used to accompany him in many musical concerts around Maharashtra. This was a great learning experience for me.”
Do you know Carnatic music?
“Yes, am a great admirer of it, but didn’t get a chance to learn this art.”
Please comment about the Role of Hindustani music in the current era.
“Music is a way of life and so many music generations are proving that every day. Music is a very important part of India’s Culture and has a special religious significance in India. It is a gift from GOD and as well a way of worshipping GOD. Hindustani classical music imparted on a one-on-one basis through the ‘guru-shishya‘ is also a boon of Hindustani Classical music and showcases Indian culture.”
“In the modern age, where stress and anxiety have become an inevitable part of life, Hindustani music could play a major role in the current age and time. And make our mind fresh and keep it cool.
Indian film music from the early 20th century until today has a heavy influence on India’s Classical music, showcasing a large number of scales, ragas, and rhythm patterns. In the current era, playback music has become the heartbeat of Indian Cinema, as there is a talent pool of playback singers and music directors from a variety of musical backgrounds. Some are classically trained, others belong to folk traditions while some are self-taught.”
“In modern times, Hindustani Music has influenced the social media platform and people from all generations are creatively nourishing Hindustani music culture to higher standards and recognition globally.”
What are your impressions about the Smule experience?
“I am a proud Smule user for two years and this whole experience gave immense happiness and satisfaction. Smule is the perfect global platform to showcase musical talent. It also provides me easy access to talented singers, commenters and connects me to the music community around the world. The best part is the amazing recording quality which is no less than recording in a professional studio. Smule with its vast collection of high-quality tracks in different languages and genres helps me to improve my singing skills and boosts confidence. Another biggest advantage is I can try out unlimited experiments in different scales and octaves.”
Do you think lyrics are important? yes or no why?
“Yes, I agree. Because, if you don’t know the meaning of the song that basically consists of words, you don’t feel totally thoughts, emotions, and feelings of the song. Lyrics are what speaks to you and what pulls you. But melody also has a great influence on the emotional state of a person. So, Lyrics and melody go hand in hand.”
What is your take on India’s pop music? and new trends?
“Though I am not a huge fan of India’s pop music. But there are some songs which have pop and Hindustani classical fusion which are coming up as a new trend nowadays.”
What is your take on Classic- fusion music?
“Fusion is not a mere mix of music of East and West, but also a mix of our own Indian musical systems. The performance which I loved the most was of legends late Bhimsen Joshi and M. Balamuralikrishna who chose ragas of similar notation but of different names and structures rendered in their jugalbandi in Hindustani and Carnatic styles. Merging voices together on occasions was by itself a fusion of Carnatic and Hindusthani music. East-West fusion of ‘Colonial cousins’ by Hariharan and Leslie Lewis is one of my favorite. Classic Fusion music is a new music evolution of modern times and can attract both Classical as well as western music lovers.”
The most important question of all is this. What is music means to you?
“Music is the most important and special part of my life. It is a way of expressing my feelings and emotions. Gives me relief and joy, cannot imagine life without music. Music plays a very important role in my life than just being a source of entertainment.”
Where do you want to go from here in five years?
“First and foremost, I would like to keep on singing… Presently I am performing in my city and state, but also would like to perform on global platforms.”
Give a few thoughts here what are your strengths as a singer and what are things you want to improve?
“Remembering my Guru’s quote ‘SUR gaya to SAR gaya” my strong point is pakka SUR. Secondly, my voice quality is my biggest strength. Ghazal genre is one of my strong points, though I am comfortable with all genres. I wish to improve myself by increasing my riyaaz of classical music.”
A very mature and profound thought on music from Neeraj touched some many important aspects of modern music. Now, It is time to listen to the music concert that Aurangabad is familiar with. Here are some of the songs selected from Neeraj’s Smule Profile.
The very first one is an exclusive Bandish he did for this feature. Raag Puriya Kalyan Bada Khyal – Sadra: Bahut Din Beete, Taal: Jhaptal Vilambit, Theme: Virah Ras. Listen here Pandit Bhimsen Joshi’s version. Puriya Kalayan aalap is generally start from nishad. The following combinations N r G; G M M G bring the right feel of this Raag. Neeraj is trying to display this Raag with his knowledge of the raag. Give a listen.
As classic as it can get, Manna Dey, who is Neeraj ji’s favorite singer by a mile. The original of this famous Hindustani-based film music is reproduced here by Neeraj. In fact, this is amazing.
Dil ki Tapish Raag Kiravani. There is no better song that was made to display this Raag according to experts. Neeraj’s version.
This song has captured the imagination of youngsters when Sonu Nigam took this classic and presented it to a new young audience. Click the link for the Sonu version. This is Neeraj trying to bring more life into an eternal Mohammad Rafi song. Amazing is the word. One need not have to search anywhere else than Rafi classic to make a sensation even today. That is the kind of magic in those compositions.
A Marathi Bhavgeeth. The link for the famous version by Shankar Mahadevan is here. Neeraj has done this song locally on stage many times and here is a stage-perfected version of this beautiful song. Marathi Bhaavgeet literally means emotional poetry and Neeraj sure takes us all through the emotions in the lyrics.
Neeraj joins Swapnil, our celebrated featured artist on his invite from SmuleOneIndia, the only community platform were only good singing matters. Listen to this winning join from Neeraj on this excellent invite from Swapnil Gorey.
Piya Piya Bina Baansiya a classic recreated by Neeraj. Give a listen
Here are some more songs from Neeraj’s Youtube channel. Please listen, Neeraj has his own touch on many of these songs.
END NOTES
Good music is beyond words and praises. It does not matter where you come from. Ultimately, Smule is a platform for everyone to come and sing. All that is beautiful is that it uplifts budding talents like Neeraj Ji pointed out. All the more his interview emphasizes that the nurture of good music is to stay here, where riyaz and hard work make the singing better for sure. As humans, we all want to do better in everything we do. Singing is not different. Here we want to leave you all with this beautiful Marathi Bhaavgeet Bagalyanchi Maal Phule in our lyrics section along with Shankar Mahadevan’s beautiful stage performance of the same.
A big thanks to Neeraj, a great friend to our blog site, and his support. We are glad he is in our team of peers this whole year. Please visit this seasoned singer of excellence at his Smule profile here. Here is his Youtube channel for more of his songs. Also his Facebook page for his upcoming musical activities in and around Aurangabad and Maharashtra.
References
Poetry time
Bagalyanchi Maal Phule Lyrics
Bagalyaanchi maal fule ajuni anbaraat Bhet apuli smarashi kaay tu manaat Chhediti paanaant bin thenb paawasaache Olya raanaat khule un abhrakaache Manakawada ghan ghumato dur dongaraat Tya gaanthhi, tya goshti, naaralichya khaali Paurnimaach taw nayani bhar diwasa jhaali Rimajhimate amrit te wikal antaraat Haataansah sonyaachi saanj gunfataana Bagalyaanche shubhr kale miluni mojataana Kamalaapari mitati diwas umaluni talyaat Tu gelis toduni ti maal, sarw dhaage Fadafadane pnkhaache shubhr ure maage Salate ti tadafad ka kadhi tujhya uraat
