Suresh Wadkar, who was awarded the Padma Shri recently, tells Saimi Sattar that technology has taken away the sweetness of music
Seene mein jalan, aankhon mein toofan sa kyun hai
Iss shehar me har shakhs pareshaan sa kyun hai.
Shahryar’s poetic expression for Muzzaffar Ali’s Gaman (1978) was an apt reflection of a gentle soul stuck in the swirl of busy city life. But it was the rich, textured voice of singer Suresh Wadkar, who made his film debut, that added the pathos perfectly portrayed on screen by Farooq Shaikh.
Wadkar, who has sung in almost all major Indian languages in addition to English and German during the course of his career which stretched over 47 years, was recently awarded the Padma Shri. Speaking over a concall, he says, “I felt, I should have got it earlier. I don’t the reason behind the delay. Only the Almighty and the selection committee would know that. Lekin der aye durust aye. When things happen timely, the importance is different as the confidence and courage of the artiste increases manifold.”
The singer of immensely popular numbers like Chhod Aye Hum Wo Galiyan (Maachis) Huzur Is Qadar (Masoom) Aye Zindagi Gale Laga Le, Saanjh Dhale (Utsav), Tum se milkar (Parinda) feels that while recognition the music lovers is heartening, “getting one of the highest awards like the Padma Shri makes you feel good that our country and government has recognised us. The love of our countrymen is evident,” he says.
Having been a part of the musical scene for over four decades — where he has sung film songs, bhajans, ghazals and folk songs — Wadkar has seen its evolution with the times. He says, “People like changes in a lot of things but you should not transform so much that you forget your culture. If you are very westernised in clothes, that is fine. But we need music that sounds sweet to the ear.” He further goes on to add, “Earlier words, tune and the situation were important in a film. Now, songs are inserted where they do not even make sense. That is the reason why old songs continue to be popular while the ones composed today don’t last.”
He believes that it is the fleeting appeal, of contemporary songs, that has made directors reach out and recycle old songs. “The good arrangers of yore have become music composers so the songs are made in arrangement style. The song needs a shape and form. If something is called an arrangement, then all you would be doing is re-arranging it.”
The rampant use of auto-tune has often caused ire among trained singers. Wadkar is no exception. “Nowadays, 90 per cent of the songs are on auto-tune. When you try to bring the song into tune, artificially, it worsens as it sounds electronic. It isn’t right to do this as singers want to display their ability. Thanks to auto-tune, everyone can sing nowadays, including actors,” he pauses before adding, “We should distribute opportunities. If so many actors have sung a song, an equal number of singers should be given a chance to play the lead in a film.” I can almost picture him smiling at the other end of the line.
Wadkar was trained to sing different genres by guru Jialal Vasant “During Mahatma Gandhi’s centenary year (1969), guruji was invited by the government to tour India. I accompanied him and sang in 13 languages including at Pragati Maidan in Delhi. Whatever work came to me, I have taken it up as a blessing from God.”
The entertainment industry had come to a standstill during the lockdown and all work had all but stopped. Wadkar utilised this time in the manner he knows best — singing. “I found the time to work hard. I have a studio at home. So, every day and every moment, I utilised it. I always wanted to sing my favourite stalwarts’ songs. During the lockdown, I recorded about 150-200 such songs in my studio. My wife and daughters too took advantage of the time. After a routine riyaaz in the morning, we did our recording. I will release those songs on YouTube gradually,” he says.
The singer was also hospitalised for 10 days on account of Covid which was transmitted from his daughter, a composer. “At the hospital, I tuned in to singers — who are akin to god for me — Lataji, Ashaji, Manna Dey, Rafi Saab and more.
While Wadkar learnt from past singers, he is training a new generation through his music school, Ajivasan. Earlier, there were physical classes not just in Mumbai but also in New Jersey and Dubai. “Even before the pandemic struck, since there were often visa-related problems so we had shifted online. Though during an online class, there is a slight delay but it is almost like a one-to-one class,” he says.
However, offline classes have resumed in Mumbai as the students too were exasperated and wanted to come for physical classes. “I have a small hostel and children who come from outside Mumbai stay here. My elder sister teaches sitar, my wife teaches vocals and so do I,” he says hoping for better times ahead.