The popular multi-lingual playback singer and a protégé of ace music director A.R. Rahman, Benny Dayal talks about his UK music tour, musical journey and his interest in collaborations. Jigyasu Joshi reports
We have all danced on his songs. From Pappu Can’t Dance Saala to Badtameez Dil to let’s Nacho, Benny Dayal is on top the country’s film music scene. Gearing up for his next tour in the United Kingdom with A R Rahman and Neeti Mohan, he says that he is very excited about it . “I’m very excited and honoured to be a part of this concert. It is after a gap of five years that I am going to work with A R Rahman”, Dayal says.
On performing with Neeti, he says, “Neeti and I have done numerous shows together and apart from being a good singer, she is a fabulous performer as well. She is also very compatible and a great partner.”
The multi-lingual singer has many hits to his credit in languages including Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi and Marathi. Always open to the range of collaborations, he says that it is the best way to bring talent together and the key to making good music. “One reason that I'm always in for collaborations is that it gives me an opportunity to work with another talent. The energy it creates is just amazing. And, it gives me the chance to know music from different aspects and allows me to connect with other individuals’ work. This is the future of music.” Benny has also been a part of the third season of Fox life’s flagship music series, Sound Trek. “Sound Trek was incredible. In that season we gave the 70’s Bollywood music a modern twist. All of that happened just like that but it ended up totally great”, shared the singer.
After making his acting debut in the Malayalam movie By The People, it was on the set of S5, an India Pop Band, that music maestro A R Rahman noticed him, done an audition, and the rest was history. “My musical journey, since the very beginning, has been a mixed bag of things. I got to work with many talented people all the way. And, I have tried always to learn from each one of them.”
“I want to experiment with so many genres and it just comes to you unknowingly. I’m not going to force anything, but keeping the attitude that let music happen. As someone great once said: Never stand in the way of the music, music will come to you on its own if you make way for it. Therefore, I’ll just make way for it”, concludes Benny.