Shuvayu, in a candid interview with Ruchira, discusses his music and films and outlines his outlook on life – an exclusive for Different Truths.
Kolkata-based Shuvayu Bhattacharjee has traversed the Bengali entertainment industry for nearly two decades. On a personal plane, he is a music freak. He learnt to play the table at age three; by nine, he was into classical vocals. Years later, Shuvayu has carved a niche for himself as a singer-music-arranger-composer and director. He has also dabbled in directing short films and commercials. Shuvayu is ecstatic because his single album Baula Ke Banailo has just been released. This is a remix of a folk song ascribed to Hasson Raja, a mystic Bengali poet of yesteryears.
Ruchira: You are involved in two unique and exciting professions. How did that happen? I would like to know the details.
Apart from being a film director and music composer, I am involved in many other professions like singing, tabla playing, editing, graphic designing, etc. But I have never faced any obstacle as all these disciplines are intertwined.
Sound is integral to any audio-visual presentation for films or commercials. I find audiovisual highly interesting and hence wanted to study it in depth. To explore further, I underwent several international courses online. These courses opened new vistas before me. Whatever I learned and practiced gradually got associated with my profession.
Way back in 2012, while I was working for a telefilm as the original scorer. I was suddenly seized by the idea of making a short film. I don’t know what overcame me, but I knew I had to do it. Consequently, I directed a short film (Ki Ashe Jaye). It was telecast on one of Kolkata’s channels. The channel’s top brass appreciated the film’s content, camera work, and music. My next project was a documentary on a school (Sob Peyechir Desh). I understand that, too. A year later, I made another short film (8 pm) which got recognition at overseas film festivals. It also helped me to get my first TVC as a director. The universe was suggesting that I should seriously think of not only concentrating on music but also films. Thenceforth I got serious about films.
Ruchira: Any music at home?
Shuvayu: Yes. One of my father’s sisters used to learn classical music & Nazrul Geeti; as a kid, I would watch her keenly. There was music on my mother’s side of the family too. My grandpa, the late Pandit Hari Bhushan Bose, was a maestro. Thanks to him, I came in touch with many vocalists and professionals right from my childhood. Such exposure instilled a sense of music within me.
Ruchira: Where did you train in music? Your debut performances, directorial ventures etc.?
Shuvayu: My mother recalls how I started learning tabla when I was three. My maternal clan had arranged a hatekhori (vidya arambham) ceremony on the day of Saraswati puja during one particular year. On that occasion, I was introduced to tabla playing by the late maestro Sh Hirendranath Gangopadhyay, a close friend of my maternal grandpa.
Later I continued learning the tabla under his disciple Ardhendu Ghosh. So, it went on. I also had eminent tabla players viz Manash Chakraborty, Late Babu Radhakant Nandy, Late Pranab Gangopadhyay, Pandit Kumar Bose, Babu Mahadev Bhattacharya, Late Sujit Kumar Das as my gurus. From age nine or so, I began my vocal training with mainly Ragasrayi Bengali songs (Semi-classical Bengali), Nazrul Geeti, and Oldies. The Late Sh Ajay Mukherjee and Mukut Chakraborty were also my Gurus. My first performance was at a school event. I performed in many other similar events that I’ve lost count of.
Ruchira: How were your early years?
Shuvayu: I always wanted to do something with music and art but had to join a business to support my family. I also married early. After a point of time, I felt incomplete, though I would sing and compose while working and recorded all of it on my mobile phone. The artist within me was still alive. Then one fine morning towards 2009 end, I took a call: I would plunge into unknown territory to realise my dream. My family stood behind me while I closed my business. Owing to the hiatus, I was almost forgotten by the professional world, and as I tried to re-enter, I found that my old contacts needed to be fixed. No Record label would hire me since, as a music composer, I was a greenhorn. Plus, the audio business was undergoing turmoil then, with most companies shutting down. People weren’t buying discs anymore. But I decided not to retreat and tried to make a living as a music arranger and computer music programmer. This went on for nearly eight years. I successfully created music videos, commercials, short films, and background music for drama during this time. I also acted as an arranger programmer for various established music composers. Some people appreciated my work, while others didn’t. Alongside I composed varied background music for a few TV channels. But as of now, I am still determining whether they were used. Around 2019, I parted company with other composers and became an independent composer, arranger, and music programmer.
Ruchira: Please trace your career graph in music for us.
Shuvayu: During the initial phase of my career (mid 90’s), I was a vocalist and Tabla player at several functions. I worked for Sharojontro, a Bengali band, and composed their album “Purono Chal.” Still, later I composed and arranged a number for the Indian classical instrument band Flame. During my second innings (2009-2018), I composed and arranged background music for different theatres, besides composing and arranging various commercials. Composed and arranged background scores for a few Bengali movies Like “Choto Memshaheb.”I composed, programmed, designed, and sang the theme song of Kingfisher East Bengal Club.
I directed and created original scores for short films like Bublur Boi and Kolkata Cocktail. Bublur Boi went to the semifinals at California Cine Fest. Kolkata Cocktail, which premiered in ICCR Satyajit Ray auditorium in December’21, won international recognition and was widely acclaimed by renowned poets and intellectuals.
Currently, I am working as the creative head of the Bengali record label and audio-visual platform GBME (Global Bengal Media and Entertainment).
I am also the original scorer and composer of web series like BABA and feature films like Mon Matal, which are yet to hit OTT platforms and multiplexes. Besides, my hands are full of music and dance video projects featuring upcoming and established music personalities.
Ruchira: Your journey as a film director, the debut film
Shuvayu: My journey as a feature film director is yet to take off. Hopefully, it will happen very soon. But right now, I can’t reveal anything more about the project.
Ruchira: Your music videos and films, albums, records etc.
Shuvayu: Well, there are so many of them(laughs). I will mention a few: Purono Chaal (as composer and singer in Audio CD) 2007, Ghum Bhanga Roddur by Miss Jenny (as Composer in Audio CD) 2010, Mon Janina Kokhon (personal music video) 2015, Urbi Chol Dance Video – Dancer Ipsita Indra (as Director)2022, Roopsagore Music Video – Singer Arijit Sarkar (as Director & Music Composer) 2022, Sohosha Ki Gol Badhalo – Arpita Ghoshal (as Director& Music Composer) 2022.
Ruchira: What is music to you?
Shuvayu: It’s like a fresh breeze in my life. It might have a different connotation for others, but for me, it is my lifeline, my survival mode.
Ruchira: What are your plans?
Shuvayu: To keep working continuously in films and stay put in the music industry as long as possible. Right now, I am excited to be able to work in web series and feature films as Music Director and composer. In addition, I wish to work in other states too.
Ruchira: Summing up your life’s journey so far, what do you have to say?
Shuvayu: Well (laughs), there have been highs and lows, good and bad, but I feel the best is yet to come.
Photos and video clips sourced by the interviewer.
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