Punjabi at heart

‘Money can’t buy ’—those were the last words of one of the greatest Jamaican song writer and singer Bob Marley. This is the fact one cannot deny but another fact is to live a healthy life that is something we all can agree on, whether the person is rich or poor, doctor or singer, actor or labourer. Ismail Darbar, a skilled violinist was in Chandigarh for a health seminar but discussed life in general and music that exists in it at every level.

As very well said by Shekhar Suman, “Ismail, unlike other musicians, never needed 100 songs to prove his talent. He has given few but some great numbers that are everlasting songs one can enjoy even 10 years from now.” This is the reason Ismail is the recipient of RD Burman Award for New Music Talent for the very first movie Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam he directed music for.

Ismail says, “I know that everybody is sceptical of the future of music industry but I can guarantee it will never be dark. As far as the obscenity or vulgarity in the lyrics of songs is concerned, I personally feel that composers and music producers are making what audience demands and we are no one to judge. At the end of the day, apart from artistic pleasure, people are working to earn a livelihood.” Does he accept the change in music from what it was 10 years back, Ismail answers, “Change is the only constant, which is required and we have to accept and adapt according to it. For all young and aspiring singers, my only advice is to choose a guru and by that I mean a kabil guru and invest as much as you can in riyaaz. It is true that luck also plays a part in making and breaking a person, but if you are humble, hard working and respectful towards your parents and guru, sooner or later success will be yours. The day you turn your back on your parents, success will turn its back on you.”

On being asked about the lack of content and remixing the old songs, Ismail says, “Old songs were so good that it has become the latest cash cow of the industry. But again, whatever sells works.”

Ismail will soon be working in his own production house to promote young talent and he feels there is nothing on his checklist as a music director that he wishes to complete. He says, “I work on every song like it is my first and last one, and you never know it might be true.” He also expresses his desire to work with Punjabi music industry and feels that his temperament is no less than a Punjabi and hopes that it will gel well in Punjabi songs. He closely watches the work of Punjabi music industry and loves Gurdaas Mann’s songs.