Lyricist KAUSHAL KISHORE is out with his latest song on Late Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur. He speaks with SHALINI SAKSENA about how music has impacted his life and scope for lyricists in indie space
What is your latest song about?
The song — Jannayak — is on the Late Chief Minister of Bihar Karpoori Thakurji. He is considered to be a people’s politician. He never took advantage of his position as a politician in his entire life. I went to his village, spoke to the people there and felt that there was a need to write a song about his life. We released the song on his birth anniversary this year in Patna. I love to talk about people who have contributed to the progress of our country. I felt that his work needed to be introduced to the youth.
How tough is it to write a song for a particular situation?
The tougher the situation, the easier it is to pen words. Take the example of this song; in the song I penned the song on the work that Thakurji had done. I just described his work and strung it into a song using my words. This gives a new angle and makes it easy for me to write. But one has to be careful while attempting such songs. I take care that I don’t hurt the sentiments of people who were close to him. Nor belittle the work done by the person.
How has music impacted your life?
I always wanted to write. I didn’t want to do anything else. I have got so much love here. From the time I came to Mumbai in 2006, it has totally changed my life. I look at things with a serious outlook. I am a lot more sensitive and emotional.
How much does it help to write when you find a connection with a subject close to your heart?
It is important to find a connection with the subject on which one is writing. Without this it will not be possible to write. One has to find everything there is to know about the subject. The more you understand, the better you write. The better you write, the better the audience will understand and appreciate your work.
How does this work while writing for Bollywood?
You read the script time and again till you understand the characters and the situation which requires the song. In the indie space, here, you do things for yourself so the artist is more open about what he wants to say and one can be truer to himself.
Many songs today lack lyrics of yesteryears. Why?
Things keep changing; patterns change. There are many songs made today that are meaningful and in tune with songs of yesteryears. But the younger generation may not subscribe to them. They are looking for songs that fast-paced and played in clubs and can be danced on. Times change, tastes change.
Is it important for an artist to do work in the indie space and not just bank on Bollywood?
I believe that one should not be dependent on only one industry. It is not possible for everyone to hitch a ride on one medium. Bollywood makes a certain number of films but artists and talent is huge. Even a boy sitting in a village can record a song and put it up on YouTube. It is important to widen one’s scope. Indie space gives one independence to do work according to what he wants to do.
What is the scope for lyricists in this space?
There is scope for growth here if one is good. We can end up writing a film, like I am doing at present. When I came into the industry only a handful of good movies were being made. Today, this number is in hundreds. The more the work there is, the better it is for lyricists. After all, a singer or composer won’t write songs, it has to be a lyricist.