Rajeshwar Singh ‘Raju’
‘Where Words fail, Music speaks’
It’s a famous quote about music. The importance of music in our life is further strengthened with quotes like ‘Music is the language of the Spirit’ or ‘Music is the universal language of mankind.’ There are so many such references that are far ahead of literary meanings. Music has a definite connection with our life and same is experienced quite often.
Somewhat same thoughts were shared by Kuldeep Saproo, a well-known music composer and cultural activist. He is an approved Grade-I music composer by Music Audition Board of All India Radio Delhi. He was born in the family of S.N. Saproo at Srinagar but was brought up at Jammu as his father was transferred here in 1968 and he along with family shifted to Jammu. As far as inspiration towards music is concerned, like many he was also inspired by his mother who although was not a professional singer, but used to sing quite often that attracted him towards music. His initial schooling was at Jagriti Niketan School and then he got admission at Sanatan Dharam School where he became an integral part of extra co-curricular activities. He used to play on flute and other instruments. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Chandigarh University.
He has the privilege for having Pt. Bhajan Sopori as his Guru and is indebted to Pt. T.K Jalali, Krishan Langoo, Nusrullah Khan and Mohd Ashraf for inspiring him to go ahead in this particular field. He has accompanied prominent singers like Mallika Pukhraj, Peenaj Masani, Suresh Wadekar and others. He got employed in Telecommunication Department at Srinagar but he had a passion for music and started working as a staff artist at Srinagar Doordarshan.
When Kashmir was badly hit by militancy, ill fate forced him to migrate to Jammu. But he went on working on his music and started his music studio here at Jammu. If time was not good at Kashmir but during that era unlike today there was a lot of work for Doordarshan. It was the Golden Era and new avenues seemed to have opened for artists’ fraternity. He worked a lot as a music composer in tele-plays, serials, documentaries and musical programs for different channels in addition to composing music for music albums. He has worked in various languages like Urdu, Kashmiri, Dogri, Gojri, Pahari etc. and has a vast experience of more than 35 years in the field of music.
He has composed music for several serials made in Urdu, Kashmiri, Hindi, Pahari and Dogri languages and the major ones include Rajtrangani, Shikast, Channi-Di-Chor, Hey-Mayon Key Sooncheve, Sauda, Kali Barf, Aur Kitni Door, Sarhad Ke Saath-Saath, Aman Ke Raah Pe, Manzilen, Panchal Rang, Rangan Hind Rang, Paga Shole Duniya, Alaw, Gulnaar, Annt, Pazal Yali Mood, Anjam, Intakam, Yeh Raaste Yeh Manzilen, Badla, Kuch- Kuch Honda Ae, Janwar, Savera, Nehre Raaste Chanan Hoye, Sada Virsa, Yeli Gaash Phole, Dod Dug, Nimane, Yiamberzal, Sabz Virasat, Kher etc.
In addition to it he has also composed music for feature films like Funtasian, Swaran Yug Ki Aur, Lakeer, Meri Jind and several documentaries including those produced by Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi on the stalwarts of literature from the region like Padmashri Prof. Ramnath Shastri, Ved Rahi and Padhashri Pran Kishore. He has also composed music for numerous music albums including Veer Dogra, Tera Lakh Lah Upkaar Maa, Payari-Payari Sher Di Aswari produced by T-Series and was also a music director in a short film Vasundra, a Indo-Soviet collaboration.
Kuldeep Saproo says that music has a connection with the soul. Whenever he composes music, he experiences something unique that cannot be described in words but may be experienced only. He advocates that whenever you have an opportunity to create, you should always be honest towards your roots. If you put in somewhat from your traditions then the outcome is exceptional. There are countless examples of personalities who carved a niche in different fields of art because of the fact that their contributions in respective fields had a flavor of their belongings. If we attribute it to their moral obligation to preserve and promote their culture, it’s okay but at the same time when you connect with the roots where you belong to, it helps in creating magic for others, not aware of your rich regional culture.
Saproo has composed music for and directed many ‘Light and Sound’ programs and operas that have been staged not only throughout the country but also abroad like at Japan. The enthusiastic response of Japanese proved the fundamental that music has its own language that connects with people, not knowing your language.
When stress and strain has become a part and parcel of today’s busy life, it has opened new vistas for music on a professional front. It has now scientific reasons to believe that musical therapies heal the body and soul. Saproo is of the opinion that source of music is a human body. He justifies his point saying that ‘Kahrva taal’ having 8 matras resembles pulse rate and moods that change with the music also authenticates his point.
He further says that short cut is never a ladder towards success but may result in momentarily success and ultimate depression for a long time. The artists should work hard and learn so as to keep in touch with changing environment if they have to play a long inning in this field. As far as financial security at a place like Jammu is concerned, Saproo is of the opinion that although it’s a harsh reality that there are grave concerns of the artists and survival is tough, yet if you have the potential and share a good reputation with others in the field, then there is somewhat ease also. But the departments and organizations boasting of serving for a cause should realize that financial security of the artists should be at their top agenda. He says that there is no cultural policy here as merely having a Cultural Academy and a few programs do not serve the purpose. The basic problem is why the youths should opt this field as a profession? Their passion for the field should be backed up with a concrete cultural policy thus securing their future financially.
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