By Spandan Fulkar
23rd Jan 2024
By Spandan Fulkar
23rd Jan 2024
Originating from the quaint town of Ahmednagar, Varun, at the tender age of 33, weaves a beautiful and intricate threads melody with the mastery of a seasoned artist. Picture him as a virtuoso, donning the hats of a singer, a storyteller through song, and a deft hand on the strings of a sitar.
Surprisingly, Varun's ears were untouched by the enchanting world of music until the ripe age of 19. It was his uncle, a connoisseur of various musical genres, who unwittingly became the gateway to Varun's musical journey. This musical mentor of Varun didn't just skim the surface, he delved deep into the diverse landscape of sounds, embracing everything from soul-stirring Indian Classical compositions to the masterpieces of luminaries like Pandit Jashraj Ji and Pandit Ravi Shankar Ji.
The intriguing part? This musical revelation occurred in a time when Spotify was yet to grace the life of music enthusiasts, and the term "internet" was merely a whisper in the winds of an analogue era. Varun's initiation into the world, guided by his uncle's rich taste, served as a milestone chapter in the narrative of his musical journey.
These strains of Jashraj Ji's bhajan acted not only as a catalyst but also sparked an insatiable curiosity within Varun. Intrigued by the pace of Pandit Ravi Shankar's sitar and his melodic notes, a newfound fascination ignited within him and drove Varun on a quest to acquire his own sitar, propelling him into the serendipitous meeting with his musical guide, Guruji Ustaad Usmaan Khan Sahab.
At 67 years old, Ustaad Usmaan Khan Sahab, a venerable figure in the music world, posed a simple yet profound question to the aspiring Varun: "Why do you wish to learn the sitar?" Varun, in his candid style, responded with unfiltered honesty, "Because Ravi Shankar Ji plays." Little did he know that this initial spark would unravel into a deep dive into the intricate layers of musical instruments, setting the stage for the true commencement of Varun's musical journey.
As time unfolded its chapters, Varun transcended the allure of his initial inspiration. With each passing note and every resonating string, he delved into the intricacies of his chosen instrument. Thus, a journey that began with the echo of Ravi Shankar Ji's melodies was now evolved into a self-discovery, guided by the wisdom of Ustaad Usmaan Khan Sahab.
Originating from the quaint town of Ahmednagar, Varun, at the tender age of 33, weaves a beautiful and intricate threads melody with the mastery of a seasoned artist. Picture him as a virtuoso, donning the hats of a singer, a storyteller through song, and a deft hand on the strings of a sitar.
Surprisingly, Varun's ears were untouched by the enchanting world of music until the ripe age of 19. It was his uncle, a connoisseur of various musical genres, who unwittingly became the gateway to Varun's musical journey. This musical mentor of Varun didn't just skim the surface, he delved deep into the diverse landscape of sounds, embracing everything from soul-stirring Indian Classical compositions to the masterpieces of luminaries like Pandit Jashraj Ji and Pandit Ravi Shankar Ji.
The intriguing part? This musical revelation occurred in a time when Spotify was yet to grace the life of music enthusiasts, and the term "internet" was merely a whisper in the winds of an analogue era. Varun's initiation into the world, guided by his uncle's rich taste, served as a milestone chapter in the narrative of his musical journey.
These strains of Jashraj Ji's bhajan acted not only as a catalyst but also sparked an insatiable curiosity within Varun. Intrigued by the pace of Pandit Ravi Shankar's sitar and his melodic notes, a newfound fascination ignited within him and drove Varun on a quest to acquire his own sitar, propelling him into the serendipitous meeting with his musical guide, Guruji Ustaad Usmaan Khan Sahab.
At 67 years old, Ustaad Usmaan Khan Sahab, a venerable figure in the music world, posed a simple yet profound question to the aspiring Varun: "Why do you wish to learn the sitar?" Varun, in his candid style, responded with unfiltered honesty, "Because Ravi Shankar Ji plays." Little did he know that this initial spark would unravel into a deep dive into the intricate layers of musical instruments, setting the stage for the true commencement of Varun's musical journey.
As time unfolded its chapters, Varun transcended the allure of his initial inspiration. With each passing note and every resonating string, he delved into the intricacies of his chosen instrument. Thus, a journey that began with the echo of Ravi Shankar Ji's melodies was now evolved into a self-discovery, guided by the wisdom of Ustaad Usmaan Khan Sahab.
Engaging in a chat with 'The Outsiders' regarding his latest musical creation, the EP titled 'Dreams for a Living,' Varun, once a professional Chartered Accountant turned full-time musician, unveiled the intricate fusion that defines his work. Drawing parallels with classical music, Varun shared how the treatment of melodies within his compositions echoes the nuances of classical traditions. However, it's not just about the notes, it's about weaving a narrative. As he delved into the essence of his creative process, Varun articulated that the composition and harmonic elements of his music draw inspiration from the stories he endeavours to convey. It's a seamless marriage of classical finesse and narrative exploration, crafting a unique experience for the listeners.
In a moment of poetic revelation, Varun explained the essence of his artistic pursuit, stating, "When someone asks me what I do for a living, I say I have dreams for a living." This succinctly captures the spirit of the EP, where Varun's melodies don't just resonate; they unfold as stories, dreams given life through the language of music.
In Varun's world, each song is a vivid narrative, and fusion serves as the expressive canvas. The titles of the tracks within his EP act as intriguing signposts, offering listeners a directional glimpse. What makes Varun's approach distinctive is his commitment to preserving the cultural essence while venturing into a kaleidoscope of sounds.
Within the EP, an array of genres unfolds, each track a unique exploration. Varun, with an artistic finesse, explains his inclination towards maintaining ethnic roots while navigating through a diverse landscape. Picture the EP as a musical odyssey, featuring a rich mosaic of sounds and instruments – from the strains of pure Indian melodies, reminiscent of Ragas, to the rhythmic beats of African instruments like the Djembe, drum and bass, Indian lyrics, along with poetic verses seamlessly interwoven. What's truly fascinating is the apparent diversity among the three songs in the EP. Despite their distinctiveness, a subtle thread of commonality runs through them, creating a cohesive musical experience.
Engaging in a chat with 'The Outsiders' regarding his latest musical creation, the EP titled 'Dreams for a Living,' Varun, once a professional Chartered Accountant turned full-time musician, unveiled the intricate fusion that defines his work. Drawing parallels with classical music, Varun shared how the treatment of melodies within his compositions echoes the nuances of classical traditions. However, it's not just about the notes, it's about weaving a narrative. As he delved into the essence of his creative process, Varun articulated that the composition and harmonic elements of his music draw inspiration from the stories he endeavours to convey. It's a seamless marriage of classical finesse and narrative exploration, crafting a unique experience for the listeners.
In a moment of poetic revelation, Varun explained the essence of his artistic pursuit, stating, "When someone asks me what I do for a living, I say I have dreams for a living." This succinctly captures the spirit of the EP, where Varun's melodies don't just resonate; they unfold as stories, dreams given life through the language of music.
In Varun's world, each song is a vivid narrative, and fusion serves as the expressive canvas. The titles of the tracks within his EP act as intriguing signposts, offering listeners a directional glimpse. What makes Varun's approach distinctive is his commitment to preserving the cultural essence while venturing into a kaleidoscope of sounds.
Within the EP, an array of genres unfolds, each track a unique exploration. Varun, with an artistic finesse, explains his inclination towards maintaining ethnic roots while navigating through a diverse landscape. Picture the EP as a musical odyssey, featuring a rich mosaic of sounds and instruments – from the strains of pure Indian melodies, reminiscent of Ragas, to the rhythmic beats of African instruments like the Djembe, drum and bass, Indian lyrics, along with poetic verses seamlessly interwoven. What's truly fascinating is the apparent diversity among the three songs in the EP. Despite their distinctiveness, a subtle thread of commonality runs through them, creating a cohesive musical experience.
“Classical music has the capacity to expose you to the fundamental core of music, but further opening up to new genres will help you to move around in composing”
Varun offered a thought-provoking perspective on their inclusion of classical music in renowned music festivals across India. When queried about whether these classical renditions should garner more prominence and slots, Varun provides a fascinating insight. According to him, the intricate beauty of a solo classical performance, particularly the elaborate presentation of a 'Raaga,' demands a substantial 90-minute timeframe. However, the traditional format clashes with the structure and preferences of larger music festivals and their diverse audience. Varun astutely points out that squeezing such classical performances into the festival schedule might not be the wisest move.
Instead, he advocates for the existence of dedicated festivals exclusively crafted for classical music. These specialized events allow classical artists the space and freedom to adhere to the authentic format of their craft.
“Even before streaming apps were started, youngsters have been drawn to classical music and inspired them, because of the fundamental it has and answers all the emotions in a very subtle way and developing an ear to that can take you too depths”
Varun gracefully tips his hat to musical legends like Queens, Pink Floyd, and The Beatles, with a profound nod to the unparalleled influence of Pandit Ravi Shankar and delves into the historical symphony woven between Indian classical maestro Ravi Shankar and the global sensation, The Beatles. He highlighted how, in the 1960s, Pandit Ravi Shankar Ji, undertook the noble task of imparting his musical wisdom to none other than The Beatles, who then stood as the undisputed kings of the musical world.
“Like every indie artist there are challenges that I face and I hope one day, all the challenges go away and I can make and release music more frequently”
“Classical music has the capacity to expose you to the fundamental core of music, but further opening up to new genres will help you to move around in composing”
Varun offered a thought-provoking perspective on their inclusion of classical music in renowned music festivals across India. When queried about whether these classical renditions should garner more prominence and slots, Varun provides a fascinating insight. According to him, the intricate beauty of a solo classical performance, particularly the elaborate presentation of a 'Raaga,' demands a substantial 90-minute timeframe. However, the traditional format clashes with the structure and preferences of larger music festivals and their diverse audience. Varun astutely points out that squeezing such classical performances into the festival schedule might not be the wisest move.
Instead, he advocates for the existence of dedicated festivals exclusively crafted for classical music. These specialized events allow classical artists the space and freedom to adhere to the authentic format of their craft.
“Even before streaming apps were started, youngsters have been drawn to classical music and inspired them, because of the fundamental it has and answers all the emotions in a very subtle way and developing an ear to that can take you too depths”
Varun gracefully tips his hat to musical legends like Queens, Pink Floyd, and The Beatles, with a profound nod to the unparalleled influence of Pandit Ravi Shankar and delves into the historical symphony woven between Indian classical maestro Ravi Shankar and the global sensation, The Beatles. He highlighted how, in the 1960s, Pandit Ravi Shankar Ji, undertook the noble task of imparting his musical wisdom to none other than The Beatles, who then stood as the undisputed kings of the musical world.
“Like every indie artist there are challenges that I face and I hope one day, all the challenges go away and I can make and release music more frequently”
