People and careers.......

So….Finally I am beginning to BLOG…..Throwing some light on my background, I have finished my Graduation in Management Studies, and am keeping my options open as of now - either take up a job, OR do my Post-Graduation straightaway. Haven’t got any clue myself as to what I will be doing…..just keeping my fingers crossed for now.

I am also extremely ‘into’ music. Since childhood in fact, have been pursuing vocal and instrumental music. But things got more ‘serious’ over the last 2 years or so, when me and some of my friends formed a fusion instrumental band (Check this out) to compete in inter-collegiate fests etc. Since then, have been dabbling in composing music to a great extent….and lot many things….enjoying it all like anything. Since the time I finished my Graduation, ppl have been behind me…..asking what I want to do ahead…career plans….et al. Well, academically, I definitely will be doing a Post-Grad some time, no idea when, but will do it for sure. But to be honest, my interest in music seems to precede anything else, and would love take up music as a career. Yes, I maybe an amateur, and may need to work hard, but the important thing is that I’m enjoying what I’m doing, and that means the most to me.

Nobody in my family has been into music, definitely not career-wise. And frankly speaking, Music has never been considered as a “Mainstream” thing. All the ppl I know, have been advising me, not to get so serious with something like music, just study a lot, work in hardcore corporate setup, and that’s it…"Jeevan Safal Ho gaya”….….Music???-Just as a hobby….(that too if I really wanna continue, which they doubt I won’t find time once I’m into hardcore Corporate life….) Well, I’m not against getting into the Corporate thing…..but I seriously fail to understand why people regard something like music ALWAYS as only a ‘hobby’ or ‘off-the-track thing’??? Don’t people ever make careers in music? Isn’t there a term called “MUSIC INDUSTRY”??? When the scenario is so big enough to consider music as an “Industry”…..then why can’t people accept it as something big enough and ‘mainstream’ as they call it? If you see closely, music as a genre, is definitely as much corporatised as any other industry/genre, if not more. But people tend to ignore all the aspects of corporatisation, money, and any other factors associated with music, and continue to push it on the backseat, terming it as ‘non-mainstream’, ‘non-corporate’, and ‘off-track’ thing. Only when somebody known to them, suddenly makes it big in the music scene, ppl tend to appreciate like anything, and try to ‘create’ association with them.

There was a guy, who came from the same area in Mumbai as I do. He was extremely into music, since childhood….esp’lly singing. Started off by singing for friends, then participating in Coll Fests etc. Completed his engg, and tried to find some work in the ‘music industry’, went on to sing some Jingles for ads etc. and also sang a few tracks for some not-so-famous movies etc. Till then, NOBODY ever knew of this guy, who used to roam around in the area as any other normal person. This continued for quite some time, he dabbled with few more movies, also did a few fusion projects, until suddenly one day, he got an offer to do an album. Was his first BIG thing, an ALBUM, and he put in a real good effort and came up with an album called “BREATHLESS”. Suddenly, the album’s songs were all over the music charts, channels and everywhere. The Album was a superhit, and suddenly ppl ‘started’ to ‘know’ him!!!! After that, the rest is history. Today, the person in question, one Mr.Shankar Mahadevan, is a name to reckon with in the entertainment industry - not just in India, but at an International level. Today Shankar is no longer residing in his old area, but has moved into a much better place at Navi Mumbai (bit away from his old residence). And today 99.9999 % of the ppl I meet, happen to ‘know’ Shankar on a personal level, happen to be ‘very close’ to him in ANY sense, and try to ‘create’ some kind of relationship with him. They talk about him today endlessly. “He was my so and so’s so and so……..” “He used to stay very close to my place” “I know him since he was a child” “I know him damn well….have been hearing him sing since he was a school-going kid….What a voice he had even then….” “His mom is a cllllooooosseeeeee friend of my aunt”…etc..etc….

Today, since he is such a big star, people want to “create” relationship with him, happen to know him, and seem to have been ‘appreciative’ of his musical talents ever since he was a toddler! Only when someone makes it big, do you find it to be a greaaattt achievement that he went into music…or else….it is NOT supposed to be considered as a good career option at all……..This is pathetic…….True example of Hardcore FAIR-WEATHER RELATIONSHIP…….

The incident I quoted, was just ONE example…..I suppose this must be the case with most ppl trying to get into music….. or for that matter, any 'non-mainstream' career options...... unless he/she has that good a backing from family and friends….

So that was quite a loooooooong post for my first blogging experience….The point I wanted to drive home was that You must go only where your Heart is….and not worry about pressure from others…..once you make it big…..then have no doubts……all the *#$@&^*** ppl who wrote you off as mad…..will all come and say ...."WE ALWAYS KNEW IT…THAT YOU ARE GONNA MAKE IT…..I’M SO PROUD…..etc…..” Sab matlabi ppl…..ek se ek dedhshaane hain……

Therefore I intend getting into music seriously…..no clue how well its gonna work out….but definitely, would love to atleast make an attempt….Baaki Uparwale Ke Bharose…. Allah Meherbaan Toh Gadha Pahalwaan……..!!! :)