ZUBLEE BARUAH
You hail from a place where there are so many talented musicians and
bands. Did you have any challenge when you initially started out?
I am extremely fortunate to be born in Assam, North-East,
a place which is the richest in terms of Music & Culture.
Well I started off very early & as I was the youngest artist in
Guwahati at that time, things became much easier for me.
But, yes gradually when I grew up, things seemed to be little
difficult. It has been a long & continuous journey where like
most musicians, had gone through a lot of challenges, but
love my journey totally, coz it has been a beautiful learning
process too.
Tell us your first endeavour with music and how it all started?
My Maa being a professional singer too, who happens to be
my 1st Guru, would do her practice regularly & I always
would sit by her side & would quietly keep listening to
whatever she would sing . I was 3 and half years old then. It
was Durga Puja & my Maa had a show in our locality & as
always I accompanied her along with my father. Just before
her performance, suddenly I started shouting & irritating my
parents saying that I too will perform on stage. Initially my
parents didn’t agree, because although they knew quite well
that I was very much interested in music, but never heard
me singing a complete song. So, they both where skeptical.
But I would not listen to anyone, all I wanted was to perform
on stage, also that the musicians would accompany me.
Since I was so small, the organisers happily took me to the
stage & I started with a “ Bishnu Rava Sangeet” followed
by a “Chota Khayal”. Eveyone including my parents were
literally shocked. And from the very next day, my Maa
started training me. So, this is how it all started.
You have a lovely texture to your voice. Have you had any classical training?
Yes, initially I did learn a bit at home from my Maa, but don’t
have a proper classical training.
Are you particular about the kind of genres you sing for or are you
open to trying new forms of music?
Well my forte is FOLK – ROCK & I am extremely inclined
towards Folk Music. But at the same time, I like experimenting
too. I love my genre but yes, I don’t mind trying new forms too.
Do you hail from a family full of musicians or were you the first one
to venture into this field?
I have already mentioned about my Maa, being a Singer.
Although my father was a govt. official, he was associated
with the theatre world as an actor. My elder sister is a
popular actor from the Assamese Film Industry. So, practically
I am the last one ;)
Who do you look at as an idol from the music space?
My Idol is my 1st Guru, my Maa always.
If there is one artist you would like to collaborate with and one
composer you would like to sing for, who would it be and why?
When I was quite young, I always had a dream of singing
with Michael Jackson, but unfortunately, this can never
come true. Then I always had & have a craze for “Shakira”.
Just one line with her & I am done. When I started watching
her live videos, I always felt that she is a great a human being
& that attracted me more. Well when it comes to composer,
I just pray that I get an opportunity atleast once in my life
to sing a composition of my most favourite AR Rahman Sir.
And I am sure, I don’t need to reason why.
Tell us about your upcoming folk song and its idea
My upcoming Folk- Fusion Album is “Maati- Vol2 – The Folk
Factor”, which is a sequel of “Maati”, which was nominated
at GIMA in the best Folk Album category. The team is back
after 4yrs of hard work. Folk Music mostly depicts the rooted
elements of nature, love, humanity, devotion & emphasize
on the simplicity of existence. The diversity of our cultures,
reflects in our folk music, which I take pride in presenting it
with my compositions (Contemporary Music). Show casing
the richness of Folk Music & culture is itself a challenge & we
have given our best to achieve that. I hope our music sounds
like the breath of fresh air from the land of Red Rivers &
Blue Mountains & touches the hearts of Music Lovers. I have
collaborated with many brilliant musicians of the industry
through my album, which has enhanced my music to a
different level altogether.
How often and for how long do you practice?
I don’t have a fix timing for practice. I do it whenever I get
time. Although the ideal time said & believed to be early
morning, but I left behind that timing long back. For me
practice is extremely important & not the timing. Ofcourse,
if one can manage its good.
What do you practice - exercises, new tunes, hard tunes, etc.?
I start with some warm up exercise, practice some lower
notes & then sing whatever I feel like. It keeps changing.
Sargams, ghazals, folk songs, film songs, non-film songs,
western & so on, depending on the mood.
The
Score Magazine
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