A musician, guitarist, arranger, and lyricist makes a comeback after 16 years gap, Pavlu Banerjee who came with a smart and short ponytail and black glares, shares his journey with Woman Times…
WT: What kind of music you deal with?
PB: I am a single songwriter-cum-guitarist and work on both English and Bengali songs. However, when it comes to performing at shows I prefer Bengali folks too to expand the horizon of my genre.
WT: When was your foundation for your music?
PB: I am born into a very musical family where my mother used western songs of Beatles, John Lenon, Cliff Richards and likes to lull me. I composed my first English song when I was 10 years old. But simultaneously I listened to Bengali songs while growing up. Thus, it was my upbringing surrounded by music.
I think copyright is very important as I have seen singers performing on my music without giving me credits. Until people respect the artist piracy will never stop.
WT: When did you get your first break?
PB: My entry in the music industry was with the formation of my band ‘Emotions’ in 1996. We performed for 2 to 3 years at different shows at different places where we got the privilege to share the stage with Nachiketa, Late Gautam Chattapadhya, and few more renowned artists. But due to my father’s physical deterioration, being the only son, I had to shift to a private job for which I could not be actively participative; all this while (16 years) I composed around 150 to 200 songs. I was indirectly into music and everyday practiced so that I could carry on the musical journey and that people can hear my business. After a gap of 16 years, I formed ‘Kolkata Music Diary’ and re-started my musical career in 2015.
WT: Did you leave your job?
PB: I am into business of IT and education which is my bread and butter but music is my life.
WT: After 16 years gap was it a not difficult comeback?
PB: All these years when I was on break the only hope that kept me going was that someday my compositions will be heard by people. It was difficult but not impossible, and once I settled in my business I thought of reviving my written songs into a digital form. It was indeed a tough decision as I had to start from scratch. It has been tougher than in 1996.
WT: Why music still is not or cannot be the source of bread and butter for musicians?
PB: The effort a musician puts into music the returns are not to the expectation as people are not aware of disadvantages of piracy and the loss a musician or producers incur lessens the income part of the musicians which in turn cannot give the encouragement to a musician to earn the livelihood solely based on music. People want music free but hard work cannot be free.
WT: What are your achievements as a musician or as a person?
PB: As a musician I always wanted people to listen to my songs. That audience can relate to my music and songs. I feel fortunate that after ‘Spondon khoron’ and other songs people liked my songs and they can connect their soul to it.
WT: Tell us about your compositions.
PB: My compositions are varied of which I have created songs on women as I am very much vocal about any sort of violence against women. In present times, we find that more than 1,50,000 female feticides take place and ‘Bhrunohottya’ is for that. I have dealt with many women related issues like sex workers, rapes, child prostitutes et al. Issues that are not talked about often are focused on my songs.
WT: Why your compositions are women-centric? Are males devoid of such attention?
PB: Definitely I have composed. ‘Long way to go’ is, in fact, a song dedicated to men folk which is about the journey of life humans go through.
WT: What is your future planning with music?
PB: Aaaah! I am working on two Bengali albums and one English album which will gradually be disclosed. Of all the songs I have written at least 1/3rd I want them to be digitally converted. I also want to concentrate on live shows.
…bands have spread its wings to colleges and paras. It has become more convenient to reach to people through the internet.
WT: What do you think about your IP be protected?
PB: I think copyright is very important as I have seen singers performing on my music without giving me credits. Until people, respect artist piracy will never stop.
WT: India is culturally very rich, but many traditional music forms are fading away why it is so?
PB: Specifically commenting on West Bengal it is just the opposite as the folk songs are been popularized both in the mainstream and traditional stream. The onus of popularizing or holding to the roots of traditional music lies on the musicians and the media must support that. I personally know many musicians who are well versed but the lack of financial support dries out their talent.
WT: Anything on fusion is on your card?
PB: Yes, the first album has a song of Kolkata Music Diary, ‘Bewarish Mon’, was a fusion. Lyrics and music were based on folk but blended into a Bengali modern song. I am also planning for folk-rock fusion which is my favorite genre.
WT: What is the difference between bands of then and now?
PB: Nowadays bands have spread its wings to colleges and paras. It has become more convenient to reach to people through the internet. One thing I would humbly say is that ‘practice makes a man perfect’ and I am hopeful that the band culture will go a long way. (With a smile).
WT: What will be your next vision with KMD?
PB: As I have released my latest album I want to reach out to people internationally.
WT: Rapid Fire –
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Music means – Peace of Mind
WT: Message to the Readers –
PB: I congratulate Woman Times for this beautiful webzine dedicated to women and society. I would say that listen to my songs and be happy and spread love. Thank you.
