Shekhar Sen has invented a new style in the field of entertainment. A talented singer, composer, lyricist and actor; today, he is an internationally acclaimed name in the field of performing arts with his mono-act plays. He was in Nagpur to present his well-known mono-act play ‘Vivekanand’ when I asked him about his journey, struggle, and why he has preferred to maintain a low profile...
Q: Your journey from a trained classical vocalist to an internationally acclaimed theatre personality involves many destinations and turning points. Tell us about these transformations.
A: I was born in a musical family at Raipur. My parents Dr Arun Kumar Sen and Dr Aneeta Sen (Gwalior Gharana) were classical singers and musicologists. With our house located in the music college campus, I was fortunate to learn vocal classical from tender age. My mother was very ambitious, so she forced me to learn Sitar, Violin and Kathak also. She used to paint, and encouraged me to indulge in all fields of Fine Arts.
Q: Was it the failure in film industry that made you take to the path less travelled?
A: In 1979, I came to Mumbai to give music to films. I signed three films, and recorded many songs but ‘fortunately’ they all got shelved. If you’re a failure in the beginning of your career, you are left with two options -- either you start compromising and degrading yourself, or you become analytical and wait for the right opportunities. I opted for the second one. The tag of ‘an unsuccessful music director’ doesn’t fetch you bread and butter, so I started singing to survive. I also used to teach music to earn.
Q: And this failure lead you towards spirituality?
A: No. As a young boy, in Raipur, I always used to visit Ramkrishna Mission, and was greatly influenced by Swami Atmanandji. Well, reading spiritual books gave me strength. I started giving devotional music concerts, released more than 200 CDs as composer-singer-lyricist, and things started shaping up well. This helped me compose music in spiritual TV serials like Shiv Mahapuran, Geeta Rahasya. This was the time when I gave my voice for epic series, ‘Ramayana’.
Q: You have a special interest in medieval poetry. What do you think about Hindi literature?
A: On September 1, 1984, at Bhaidas Hall Mumbai, I gave my first singing concert on Hindi Ghazals of Dushyant Kumar. The programme was very successful, but monetarily it was a disaster. Still it introduced me to literary laureates of Hindi and Urdu literature like Pt Narendra Sharmaji, Dr Dharmveer Bhartiji, Kamleshwarji and many more. Yes, I love Hindi literature. For me, Hindi stands for Indian literature. I can speak 12 languages.
Q: After re-creating Goswami Tulsidas on stage through your first mono-act play, you did mono-acts on Sant Kabir and Vivekananda. Do you find any common thread in your three creations?
A: In 1997, I wrote the script for my first musical mono-act ‘Goswami Tulsidas.’ It took one year to memorise the script, synchronize it with live music, and add theatrical intricacies. In 1998, I presented it in Mumbai. It was a great risk. It gave me a new direction, a new recognition; but at the box-office, it was a disaster. I was almost on the verge of bankruptcy. In 1999, I started my second play, ‘Kabeer’, and it was the beginning of a new chapter of success. In 2004, I started ‘Vivekanand.’
Q: What made you select these three personalities?
A: I am often asked why I chose these characters. The true answer is, I didn’t choose them; they chose me. I wanted to bring on the stage the best representatives of Indian culture.
Q: Music, acting, painting or at lot more – which pleases you more?
A: Creation is important, and ‘form’ does not matter. It can be singing, acting, painting, writing, composing or even cooking, your ‘creation’ should make the world better.
Kala Ka Uddeshya Hai Aadmi Ko Insaan Banana (Purpose of art is to convert man into a humanbeing).
Q: Why do you keep yourself away from publicity?
A: Yes, I am a low profile artist and love that. I love to spend time with my family and friends, it’s fun. That is the reason I have refused all film and acting proposals.
Q: Do you still train youngsters? A: I am not training students now. My daily routine of 7-8 hours of ‘Abhyaas’ does not spare me any time. Travel, reading and research take up most of my time.
Q: And, about Nagpur...
A: I have wonderful memories of Nagpur. As a kid, I used to come here often with my parents. They were radio artists, and Raipur didn’t have radio station then. So overnight journey to Nagpur used to be a regular feature. As a teenager, I saw a Test Cricket match here. Gavaskar, Solkar, Mohinder Amarnath; I still have their autographs (laughs). I always feel Nagpur has great potential, and Nagpurians are simple people. They look ordinary like oranges, but once you peal them with love, the rich juices inside overwhelm you.
Q: What is your message to budding artists?
A: I follow one philosophy as an artist and can share it with all. ‘If you are looking for a short cut, you will be cut short’.
