A popular singer, Subhas Dash as a musical artist and a director has become a household name in Odisha. He was enticed to the world of music by his mentor and uncle Paramananda Dash. Later on, his initiation to this music world was strengthened by eminent gurus like Murali Dhara Giri, Pandit Dipak Basu and Pandit JVS Rao.
He shot to fame by his sweet, sonorous sound tapestry of his music when he had joined the AIR and the Doordarshan in 1977 and 1982, respectively. As a popular playback singer, Dash is second to none. Possessed with a rare ability for taking his music aficionados to a rollercoaster ride by surfeiting their appetites, he leaves them in a domain of phantasmagoria of rare aesthetic delight and awe. His lovely lilting melodious song ‘Kuhu Kuhu Bane Kuhu Kuhu’ with Vani Jairam from ‘Sati Anusuya’ took him to further heights of glory than his peers.
Thereafter, he had never looked back. Till now, he has serenaded in more than 500 albums. His voice is heard often and anon when one switches on the radio or the television set. Stationed at Cuttack, he continues to work as a playback singer. He is also inspired by his wife Subhalaxmi, who is also a gifted singer. Together, the couple builds their palace of art with love and music.
In an interview to The Pioneer, Dash spoke to Sugyan Choudhury about his journey towards his mission.
How were you attracted towards song and music in your early days?
Music comes naturally to me as leaves to a tree. From my childhood days, I lent my ears to the music of nature. It is not only me, my niece Sthitipadma Dash is also a great classical singer because we have got a strong musical background. My grandfather, great grandfathers were very good musicians.
Who were your inspiring idols and mentors who shaped your career?
My idols were Pt Raghunath Panigrahi, Akshaya Mohanty, Pranab Pattnayak. My first guru was my uncle Paramananda Dash and then Murali Dhara Giri, Pt Dipak Basu and Pt JVS Rao.
How many musical compositions and directions you have rendered so far?
Compositions may be more than 1,000; and music direction in six Odia films. And I have rendered in more than 7,000 songs in 12 Indian languages.
What are your most memorable numbers that have inspired the current generation of youths and music lovers?
My rendering the internationally-famous Ramanand Sagar's ‘Uttar Ramayan’ under the music direction of Rabindra Jain and the recently-sung "Vaishnav Janato Tene Kahiyeje". I am the only singer from Odisha who has been felicitated by the Prime Minister. “Bande Utkal Janani”, which is the first song, played in every Assembly session of Odisha and “Jagannath Sahasra Nama” in Sanskrit and many more are my memorable songs and music.
When would Odia music, songs stand at par or even excel their other Indian counterparts like Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, etc., etc?
In comparison to other States, musically Odisha is not good enough to compete with them. We could not prove Odishi as a classical number till now. It is because we don't love ourselves or worship our culture. We take everything superficially. Music needs practice, which is not with anybody.
What are the special characteristics and panache of yours that has attracted the present generation of youths?
It is because of clarity of rendering and perfection in sur, taal, etc.
What are the plans on your agenda for your forthcoming numbers and music directions?
Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter still. My best is yet to come; so, I'm aiming to achieve the best.