By KALYANI VASAN
PASADENA CA- Well recognized as the musical genius and hit-song maker of Bollywood, it was no wonder that Pritam Chakraborty in concert at the Pasadena Convention Center Auditorium on April 14 took the phrase ‘an electrifying experience’ to a whole new level! Sponsored by the Association of Los Angeles Physicians...
PASADENA CA- Well recognized as the musical genius and hit-song maker of Bollywood, it was no wonder that Pritam Chakraborty in concert at the Pasadena Convention Center Auditorium on April 14 took the phrase ‘an electrifying experience’ to a whole new level! Sponsored by the Association of Los Angeles Physicians...
of Indian Origin (ALAPIO) Pritam presented his first ever musical concert in Los Angeles. Angelinos turned out in large numbers filling the 3,000-seat theater eager to hear the maestro’s repertoire of songs. ALAPIO sponsored the concert to fund their charitable efforts to help provide free health care and free surgeries to the needy population of Los Angeles . In his welcome address Dr. Bharat Patel who spearheads ALAPIO stated, “We are excited that you are participating in something good for people with no means, no insurance, but, who have medical conditions that require treatment. We have opened our doors to help such people. This problem is very prevalent in our city; Thank you donors, sponsors and volunteers. Our goal is to make sure that we leave nobody without adequate healthcare.”
The evening began with a breathtaking montage of Pritam’s body of work presented in a timeline on a big screen, followed by the entry of eight young, outstanding singers, most of whom have been winners of shows like Indian Idol and Sa Re Gama Pa. The energy that permeated the stage was electrifying as each of them went on to perform excerpts from their Bollywood hits and finished in a grand chorus with Pritam in the background strumming away at the guitar. Pritam then introduced himself and humbly dedicated his success to his fans. Although, many of his ‘item number’ songs have taken him to new heights of popularity, while speaking with India Journal Pritam stated, “Yes, many of my fast, trendy and item number songs have become massive hits, personally though, I get great gratification in composing romantic songs. I compose my music per the needs of the script. For example, my music for `Jab We Met ‘ was for a Punjabi style setting while the film ‘Life in a Metro’ needed a raw emotional flavor. These were both done in the span of the same year. I am a film music director, not a director of a genre of music such as Indi Pop, rock or Sufi.”
What was notable in the concert was how well balanced the song segments were-fast songs were interspersed with slow romantic melodies, solo songs were followed by a blast of medleys that kept the adrenaline of the fans at a high. Pritam worked on creating this balance and took great pride in presenting the dashing eight young achievers in a manner that was impressive even to the Bollywood novice. However, it seemed obvious that the audience were not novices but, Bollywood fans who sang along and tapped their toes to every song that was belted out in perfect harmony. Pritam sang in unison with them and went solo at times. In the two decades of his career in Bollywood Pritam has worked with many new singers in their initial debut periods, some of whom have now become stars in their own light such as Mika, Mohit Chauhan, Arijit and Papon. “I Like working with the talented winners of reality music shows.”
While the fast toe-tapping and foot stomping numbers were popular with the audience, as the concert progressed it was evident that staples like songs from evergreen movies such as `Life in a Metro’ and `Jab We Met’ got the loudest applause. Slow romantic numbers lulled the audience to an appreciative daze encouraging Pritam and his accompanying singers to give their best. The big screen portrayed scenes from `Life in a Metro’ as Pritam belted out one endearing melody after another. ‘Oh Meri Jaan’ and ‘Alvida’ brought singers KK and Bangladesh’s James back to life and had the audience mesmerized in Pure Pritam moments. Mohit Chauhan’s romantic “Tums Se Hi’ from the film `Jab We Met’ was another heartwarming romantic melody that tugged at the heart strings. How does Pritam put up with the uncertainties, the trends, the politics in Bollywood? “Yes there are struggles, politics and uncertainties but, ultimately it is your work that speaks for you. That is what I look for-producing and presenting music that my fans and audiences love. True, you are only as good as your last hit. This is determined by the script. A good script is inspiring and I am a very script-driven music director.”
“I have had the good fortune of working with some of the best-Anurag Kashyap, Imtiaz Ali, Siddique. These films had scripts and directors who were so powerful that they inspire you. Take the film, `Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’-it’s sensitive theme required emotional and soulful songs. So, as you can see creating a hit is not what is trendy, but that which brings out the beauty of the script and the actors that portray it.”
Amanat Ali the youngster from Pakistan who ranked 3rd in SA Re Ga Ma Pa competition in 2007 created a special place in the hearts of India with his wonderful rendering of the song from Mausam, ‘Tumse Naaraz Nahi Zindagi’ has been touring the world entertaining Bollywood music lovers. Amit Mishra presented his power -packed hit, ‘Bulleya’. This Lucknow resident was clearly the crowd favorite along with Sreerama Chandra, the Hyderabad native who wowed listeners by winning the Indian Idol 5. Nakash Aziz from Karnataka stole hearts at the Tampa IIFA awards in 2014 and proved his diversity as a singer. Shilpa Rao mastered the ghazals she presented despite her young age and Shalmali Kholgade who has bagged the prestigious Filmfare award at the young age of 22 displayed an attitude in her music that clearly marked her as a scintillating singer. Harshdeep Kaur was another hot Los Angeles favorite with her prowess at Sufi singing and Punjabi soul numbers. Antara Mitra who participated in Indian Idol was not a winner however, her singing prowess got the recognition of Bollywood and she has many hit numbers now. The awesome eight reflected the nurturing they have received from their mentor Pritam with whom they all share a playful yet respectful relationship.
Pritam’s foray into Bollywood music was with a pizzazz and style that made him stand apart from the rest. The concert in Pasadena proved why he has carved such a niche for himself and will continue to be a Bollywood hitmaker.
The evening began with a breathtaking montage of Pritam’s body of work presented in a timeline on a big screen, followed by the entry of eight young, outstanding singers, most of whom have been winners of shows like Indian Idol and Sa Re Gama Pa. The energy that permeated the stage was electrifying as each of them went on to perform excerpts from their Bollywood hits and finished in a grand chorus with Pritam in the background strumming away at the guitar. Pritam then introduced himself and humbly dedicated his success to his fans. Although, many of his ‘item number’ songs have taken him to new heights of popularity, while speaking with India Journal Pritam stated, “Yes, many of my fast, trendy and item number songs have become massive hits, personally though, I get great gratification in composing romantic songs. I compose my music per the needs of the script. For example, my music for `Jab We Met ‘ was for a Punjabi style setting while the film ‘Life in a Metro’ needed a raw emotional flavor. These were both done in the span of the same year. I am a film music director, not a director of a genre of music such as Indi Pop, rock or Sufi.”
What was notable in the concert was how well balanced the song segments were-fast songs were interspersed with slow romantic melodies, solo songs were followed by a blast of medleys that kept the adrenaline of the fans at a high. Pritam worked on creating this balance and took great pride in presenting the dashing eight young achievers in a manner that was impressive even to the Bollywood novice. However, it seemed obvious that the audience were not novices but, Bollywood fans who sang along and tapped their toes to every song that was belted out in perfect harmony. Pritam sang in unison with them and went solo at times. In the two decades of his career in Bollywood Pritam has worked with many new singers in their initial debut periods, some of whom have now become stars in their own light such as Mika, Mohit Chauhan, Arijit and Papon. “I Like working with the talented winners of reality music shows.”
While the fast toe-tapping and foot stomping numbers were popular with the audience, as the concert progressed it was evident that staples like songs from evergreen movies such as `Life in a Metro’ and `Jab We Met’ got the loudest applause. Slow romantic numbers lulled the audience to an appreciative daze encouraging Pritam and his accompanying singers to give their best. The big screen portrayed scenes from `Life in a Metro’ as Pritam belted out one endearing melody after another. ‘Oh Meri Jaan’ and ‘Alvida’ brought singers KK and Bangladesh’s James back to life and had the audience mesmerized in Pure Pritam moments. Mohit Chauhan’s romantic “Tums Se Hi’ from the film `Jab We Met’ was another heartwarming romantic melody that tugged at the heart strings. How does Pritam put up with the uncertainties, the trends, the politics in Bollywood? “Yes there are struggles, politics and uncertainties but, ultimately it is your work that speaks for you. That is what I look for-producing and presenting music that my fans and audiences love. True, you are only as good as your last hit. This is determined by the script. A good script is inspiring and I am a very script-driven music director.”
“I have had the good fortune of working with some of the best-Anurag Kashyap, Imtiaz Ali, Siddique. These films had scripts and directors who were so powerful that they inspire you. Take the film, `Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’-it’s sensitive theme required emotional and soulful songs. So, as you can see creating a hit is not what is trendy, but that which brings out the beauty of the script and the actors that portray it.”
Amanat Ali the youngster from Pakistan who ranked 3rd in SA Re Ga Ma Pa competition in 2007 created a special place in the hearts of India with his wonderful rendering of the song from Mausam, ‘Tumse Naaraz Nahi Zindagi’ has been touring the world entertaining Bollywood music lovers. Amit Mishra presented his power -packed hit, ‘Bulleya’. This Lucknow resident was clearly the crowd favorite along with Sreerama Chandra, the Hyderabad native who wowed listeners by winning the Indian Idol 5. Nakash Aziz from Karnataka stole hearts at the Tampa IIFA awards in 2014 and proved his diversity as a singer. Shilpa Rao mastered the ghazals she presented despite her young age and Shalmali Kholgade who has bagged the prestigious Filmfare award at the young age of 22 displayed an attitude in her music that clearly marked her as a scintillating singer. Harshdeep Kaur was another hot Los Angeles favorite with her prowess at Sufi singing and Punjabi soul numbers. Antara Mitra who participated in Indian Idol was not a winner however, her singing prowess got the recognition of Bollywood and she has many hit numbers now. The awesome eight reflected the nurturing they have received from their mentor Pritam with whom they all share a playful yet respectful relationship.
Pritam’s foray into Bollywood music was with a pizzazz and style that made him stand apart from the rest. The concert in Pasadena proved why he has carved such a niche for himself and will continue to be a Bollywood hitmaker.
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