After receiving the coveted Grammy Award for the Best Global Music in lA, USA on February 12, Tabla Maestro Sandeep Das has created a strong presence among the legends of global music fraternity. Firmly believing in the dictum ‘nothing grows in isolation’, Das shared some proud moments with The Pioneer opening up to discuss issues ranging from presence of art and culture in India in contemporary era, society and career in art, role of government, media in promoting various artistic genus including his connection with Bihar-Jharkhand. Excerpts:
Your group the Silk Road Ensemble bagged the award that features tunes composed by different global artists. How does it feelIJ
This was my third nomination and I finally clinched the honour for what I strongly believe in that ‘nothing grows in isolation’. We received the honour for Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble ‘Sing Me Home’ in the World Music category. I am proud to represent India on the international stage. Music or any creative medium cannot flourish without each other’s support. I live with a motto Share culture, Share heritage to preserve what we have.
Your attire speaks a lot about you. Even at the global event, you were seen in the Indian getup; any specific reason for thisIJ
The problem with us is that we mimic West a lot. I personally feel that Indian attire gives you an appeal that no other western clothing can present. I always wear Kurta-pyjama for all my major concerts. Interestingly, after the ceremony many celebrities came to me and complimented me for what I was wearing at the international stage. I remember someone coming up to me after the event and uttered ‘Yo man you look cool in this’. I wish, I could have maintained a list.
How do you relate yourself with Bihar-Jharkhand having lived for several years from now in foreign landIJ
My new piece ‘King Ashoka’ is based on my early days that I have spent in Bihar-Jharkhand and covers the backdrop of life spent in Jharkhand, Bihar and at Banaras Hindu University (BHU). ‘Bihar, Jharkhand toh mere khoon mein hai’(Bihar-Jharkhand is in my blood). I was fortunate to play my new creation in Taiwan, China, Korea few days back and will soon conduct live shows at few other prominent places that will further reveal about my roots.
Do you feel the government and media are doing their best to promote art, culture and other creative genres at par with universal standardsIJ
Unfortunately, besides Indian government and media, the society needs to understand and change its mindset. Every now and then, as an Indian I am enquired about low representation of our youths at Olympics or other such major events that have international impact. Despite so much population in India, we have less people representing us at world level competitions. Media, on other part is obsessed with Bollywood, cricket and models. After 1990, I hardly find any dedicated page for art and culture in any of the leading Indian National Dailies.
Does that mean that the society is stuck with age-old traditions when it comes to choosing or making career in any particular domainIJ
To an extent, Yes. We are living with the concept ‘Padhoge likhoge banogee nawaab, Kheloge kudoge banoge karaab’ and unfortunately, we are forced to choose evergreen options like medical science, engineering, business, IT etc. Here apart the society, even the government is responsible for all this as all those who even dare to do something different, opt for career in art/culture have to cross several hurdles to get recognition and does not even gets the proper share of acknowledgment from the government side. Government support nahi karti hai toh log aaege kaise aaeyege’.