Who says you can not follow your passion while keeping up with day to day life? Ajay Naik, a project manager in IBM, launched his music album 'Manarang' on 19 th July. This album features songs written by Mangesh Padgaonkar, Guru Thakur and sung by star singer Shankar Mahadevan and new comers like Hrishikesh Ranade.
Ajay shares how he manged to find enough time from his demanding career as a project manager in IT field to pursue his passion for music.
How did you get attracted towards music?
Everyone from my family is into arts. My father is excellent with harmonium and the flute. I started with music in my childhood only. But I have not taken any formal education in music. I went on developing my musical sense on my own. I was fascinated by all sorts of musical instruments. I used to go to Balgandharv Rangamanch(Pune) and observe the musicals. I actually used to buy musical instruments from the money meant for firecrackers in diwali. I have participated in lots of Musical competitions and events during my school and college days. You can say that things like my ambition to be perfect with every musical instrument and my acute observation have made me what I am today.
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Apart from Music, What else intersets you?
I am in this field since 13 years. I have a complete music studio set up at my home. Apart from this, I also write. I have written and directed many plays in college. I have also written more than 200 poems in Marathi , Hindi and English. 'Be there for me', an english poem by me has won an International Award. The album 'Manarang' too has two songs which are written by me. I have won the Zee TV's 'Geet Gata Chal' in 1998. I also do stage shows. My next album 'Bewajaha' is on its way. |
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Tell us about your album 'Manarang'
At one time, I felt that I should have a musical album of my own. While I was in Mumbai with my friends, I took the decision to go ahead with that feeling. So I decided to produce a musical album in Marathi. I always think that there are very few experiments happening in the field of marathi music. I have tried to experiment a lot with 'Manarang'. At first, I was not sure about the title. Every song in this album reflects the various moods. 'Nako aaj chandra dhagaad jau' describes the feelings of a lover who is away from his partner and 'Manarangaache Abhaal Nile' is about a free spirited girl. 'Dhadkan tu' is about a boy who has fallen in love. My album also has first ever Marathi Song, 'Oli Nasha', to be completely based on Rock music. 'Chandra Umalalaa saralya ratee' is a song about person in serach of his soul. In short all these songs are about moods of human mind and hence I decide to call the album as 'Manarang', Manache rang ani Suranche Tarang. The tag line says all about the idea behind the album. Though I am from IT field, I think that my adherence to a Non IT lifestyle is what made 'Manarang' possible.
Why have not you made career in this field even though you always liked it?
I always thought of joining this field. But I belong to a bramhin family where Education matters more than anything. I completed my post graduation from MIT. I was the best outgoing student of MIT, 1997 batch. Currently I am working for IBM. I have decided to pursue my passion and at the same time continue my career. I listen songs while traveling and compose my own during holidays.
How was the experience while working with likes of Shankar Mahadevan on 'Manarang'?
'Manarang' has been an unforgettable experience for me. It took four months to create this whole album. It was possible only because of help offered by all the people associated with this projects, singers, musicians my friends and my family. Shankar Mahadevan is a good friend of mine. He is my ideal. He took time out of his busy schedule just to sing for my album. We had to wait for 2 months for his song as only he could do full justice to that song. I have learned a lot from this trio Shankar Ehsaan Loy. It was Ehsaan who had confidence in me and asked me to come up with an album. Hrishikesh , Madhura and Sumitra all have captured the moods of these songs very well and I hope that It will strike a chord with audience too... |
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