A familiar face in the music circle in Goa, Vishnu Shirodkar, from Siolim, has been performing at and co-ordinating many musical shows around the state. In a chat with NT BUZZ, he speaks about his musical journey over the years
RAMNATH N PAI RAIKAR
At what age did you realise you had a talent for music?
I remember a harmonium in our ancestral home in Ashwem that was used in accompaniment of bhajans. At the age of seven, I used to try and play it just by listening to tunes I had heard. My father must have recognised some talent in me and got me a harmonium of my own.
Are you proficient at playing any other instrument?
Not really. I once tried my hand at playing the violin but didn’t pursue it further.
You are extremely busy with shows all year round. Does that give you enough time to take up regular practice, that is, ‘riyaz’?
I hardly have such free time! There’s always a programme coming up. Thus practicing for a show becomes ‘riyaz’ in itself. I usually get down to it as soon as I’m done with breakfast and morning rituals, and aside from a lunch break I usually keep going until late at night.
You are equally at home playing for Bollywood shows – both old and new Hindi film songs – bhajans, Indian classical and Western pop. Do you have a personal favourite?
While I enjoy playing all kinds of music, I have a particular fondness for Bollywood songs with an Indian classical base.
You are largely self-taught. Yet, to be able to play all kinds of music requires more than a basic knowledge of the Western system. You need to know chords, scales, harmonies as well as Indian ragas….
It was a gradual process that began with discussions with some knowledgeable people during Marathi musical programmes, particularly a tabla player named Mayuresh Vast. My uncle was learning classical music on the harmonium – Raga Bhoop to be precise – and I found that I could pick up notes of the raga he was struggling with; quicker than him! Similarly I recognised that songs were accompanied by combinations of notes, even before I learned that they were called chords, or that they had names. Interaction with a guitarist called Kishore Chari also largely helped.
You work with the best musicians and singers in Goa. How did the formation of ‘Team Lehren’ come about and when?
A group of friends, of which I was a part, began‘Orchestra Lehren’ in 1995. It gradually evolved into ‘Team Lehren’ following several changes in musicians. The sole constant was me.
Is there any single person you would credit as your guru; someone who encouraged you to take up music as a profession?
My father was my prime inspiration and the one who always stood by me and my talent. Otherwise, I had no single guru. However, many musicians have inspired me. For instance, I have always liked Adnan Sami’s style of piano playing.
You qualified as a science graduate when you were already into music. At what stage did you decide that music would be your full-time career?
I am a BSc graduate in physics and worked as a quality assurance assistant for an electronics company for eight years. During this period, I was also equally into music. When the company I worked for folded, it was a natural shift to becoming a full-time musician.
Have you tried your hand at compositions? Are you more comfortable having someone writing lyrics to your tune or would you be at ease vice versa?
I have tuned a set of Konkani lyrics for Goa Doordarshan. Only once was a tune conceived by me for a poet to work on the accompanying lyrics.
Have you ever tried composing for tiatr, or played for such a live drama performance?
I’ve never played live in or for an actual tiatr, but pre-recorded around 10 songs for a Konkani play called ‘Teen Poishacho Tiatr’, where the actors would lip-sync to the songs. I also provided musical sound effects for a stand-up comedian once, but it wasn’t a great experience.
How different is performing live compared to doing a studio recording?
Studio work is just that – work. Nothing beats the thrill and pleasure of a live stage show.
Are there particular Bollywood composers or eras whose music you find especially rewarding to perform live? Can you pick out one song you found especially challenging to play?
I really like playing Kalyanji-Anandji compositions. Among all the songs I played, some challenging ones I remember are ‘Gori tori painjaniya’ (‘Mehbooba’) and ‘Ae zindagi gale laga le’ (‘Sadma’).
What qualities do you look for when selecting musicians to play with you, who are not part of your usual Lehren team?
That can be tricky, if the person comes through recommendation from a friend or the show’s producer, and I’m compelled to take him on. Fortunately, I get to choose my team most of the time.
How musical is your family? Does anyone else sing or play an instrument?
Let’s just say they’re keen listeners!
For some years now there has been a trend to project the original film song sequence on a back screen, in sync with the live orchestra. What are your views on this?
Sometimes a show producer feels that such visual reinforcements add to the audience’s enjoyment, but it does detract their attention from the actual performing artiste or musician.
Singers employ tracks to sing with, and even use autotune. Can you share your thoughts on this?
I have heard that even in Goa some groups use it, but have no personal experience of it.
