#LifeIsMusic: Ayan Sengupta on keeping tradition alive with the sitar

On the sets, Ayan Sengupta is quiet and almost always in company of his band member and fellow musician from Kolkata Ratan Bharti. The interaction with the crew and other contestants is almost minimal. When not on sets, he spends his time in his room, in company of his instrument and a local cable channel that runs back-to-back performances of Hindustani classical artists. His composed demeanor on sets and his face suggests that he’s one of the most experienced and senior most contestant on the show. In the interview, however, he casually suggests that he’s all of 25-years-old. A scholar at ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata, he talks about his influences, inspirations and life of a professional Hindustani Classical musician. Excerpts from an interview;

How did you start playing the Sitar?

I come from a family of musicians. My grandfather was a Hindustani Classical vocalist. He now doesn’t sing. It was his dream that I play the Sitar. He’s the one who inspires me.

Why specifically the Sitar?

My grandfather was a very learned and good singer. He used to sing very well. At some point in his career, he developed a throat problem and he had to stop singing. That really hurt him. That’s when he decided that he would make his grandson a musician, but he wouldn’t let him be a vocalist. He was afraid that something similar may happen to me.

When did you start learning the Sitar?

I was about eight years-old. One evening, after returning from work, when the entire family was having tea, he suddenly announced, ‘I want my grandson to learn the Sitar.’ Three days later, he bought a small Sitar, gave it to me and took me to a Sitar guru in the locality. That’s where the journey started.

Did you like the instrument as a child?

The interest and passion towards the instrument grows as you learn and with more time you spend with the instrument. I never refused to do my riyaaz (practice). I never told my grandfather that I didn’t like the instrument or playing music. I used to sit with my instrument and practice religiously each day. I truly started to get interested when I was in class six or seven.

At what point did you decide to start playing the Sitar as a professional?

In 2003, I got a junior scholarship from CCRT (Centre for Cultural Resources and Training), an institution affiliated to the Government of India. I was in class six at the time. I had to perform for 10-15 minutes for the judges. They liked the way I played and decided to give me a scholarship. It was a great honor and a moral boost for me. Getting a scholarship from the government at the age or 11 or 12 is inspiring.

In 2005, I secured second position at a national youth festival in Hyderabad. That became the turning point in my life. That’s when I truly felt that I should take this up as a profession.

How did your grandfather react when you received your first scholarship?

He was very happy. I used to love Biryani back then. He got me a packet of Biryani and said, ‘Here; this is your gift. But, don’t think what you’ve achieved is the end. This is just the beginning. You have to practice more.’

You’ve grown up seeing the life your grandfather led as a musician. You think the music scene still as difficult as it was 20 years back or are things better now?

The scenario is almost the same, it hasn’t changed much.

What are the struggles that you face?

Indian Classical musicians don’t have too many opportunities or platforms. The concerts are few and the ones that happen therefore have big names performing as opposed to budding, upcoming musicians.

How can things be better? What should be changed?

Classical music is our culture and our asset. It’s the source of other forms of music. People need to start promoting it. The corporate sector needs to come forward and support this music. They need to collaborate with Classical music organisers for their shows. Media also needs to start talking about it.

More and more shows can be organised but you think there are enough people to watch and appreciate these shows? The audiences are now not used to Classical music. Isn’t fusion a good way to get them started?

Fusion is definitely a good way to get them started. Even in fusion, though, we need to maintain the purity of music. It needs to be balanced and not skewed towards other genres only.

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