English teacher Gaurav Padte aka GPA is all set to shortly release his new album ‘Kaliyuga’ done in collaboration with some of his students and other artistes
KALYANI JHA | NT BUZZ
A self-taught musician, Gaurav Padte aka GPA has been working as an English teacher in Sharda Mandir School, Miramar, for seven years. He is the coordinator of the higher-secondary and is popular for his innovative way of teaching by including music.
“Rap is rhythm and poetry, it can be used to teach literature, just like many other songs which allude to famous folk stories and legends. People remember songs and the feelings they give them. Thus, a feeling can be associated with a certain part of the syllabus so that one remembers it better. It’s all about emotions. It is also a part of my research that I am doing for my further studies,” shares Padte.
Having previously released a lofi instrumental album with eight tracks called ‘Kittens’, in early 2023, Padte is now all set to release a new music album ‘Kaliyuga’. The first track from this album titled ‘The Woods’ is already out on Spotify and YouTube.
“Kalyuga will be rap album with 13 songs in collaboration with other artistes. All the music has been produced by my music producer friend Kartik Mangeshkar AKA Kanha Music and me. I have worked for seven years as a teacher and saved up whatever I can to buy all the equipment for my small home studio and I have finally managed to produce what I think is release worthy,” he shares.
‘Kaliyuga’ is the first album where is adding his voice as well. The album is entirely rap but it has elements of rock and metal. The second song, called ‘Gold’, is produced by rapper Bongisio and has electric guitar solos throughout. “This track is a mix of Konkani and English rap by Bongisio and me, and is about how we as humans are running after this imaginary gold, or material possessions that we hold so dear to our hearts,” he shares.
All the lyrics are written by Padtehimself and he is collaborating with artistes like BS Creations, MC Aleem and others for the album. Some of his students like Athena Souza and Aryan Menon are also working with him on this album.
While ‘Kittens’ was completed in one month during the pandemic, it took Padte one year to bring out ‘Kaliyuga’. “It does get difficult because of school work during the day. But I make sure I spend at least 10 minutes before I sleep, with my music, playing something or practicing. That’s the minimum. If I am free, I will take out an hour or two,” says Padte, whose interest in rock and metal was sparked at a young age and which in turn inspired him to make music himself.
“Seeing my idols performing on stage, singing to lakhs of people, I wanted to recreate that on my own with my music,” he says.
“My musician heroes also have their day jobs, some of them are bankers, some of them are in advertising and some professors, so I had to follow suit and become a teacher by day, rockstar by night,” he chuckles.
