He has recorded about 35,000 songs in almost all Indian languages except in Assamese and Kashmiri. His sense of melody and his thirst for innovation allow him to manoeuvre with ease across different genres, lending his music a multi-generational, multi-religious and multi-ethnic appeal. Padmashree awardee K J Yesudas recently release his latest album Ahimsa: Born Out of the Dust of Stars, his first English album. Excerpts from an interview with Shikha Chadha:How important is Ahimsa for your career as a vocalist?
It was a great break for me because it gave me an opportunity to bring artists across the globe on one common platform, defying barriers of language. Music knows no language barriers. I wanted to give an international flavour to this album, an endeavour I have succeeded in achieving. Though international exposure is not new to me, this experience has been enriching in its own way.
What kind of sound tracks are there in this album?
The album has mostly folk songs, two to three of the tracks are a typical blend of the eastern and the western music. There is a little bit from the Geetanjali, an ode to many aspects of real love. The title track is quite close to my heart as it forms a part of my efforts towards peaceful integration and understanding. I had sung this song at a concert in Paris on November 14, 1999-Music for Peace, where I performed along with international celebrities Lionel Richie, Ray Charles, Montzerrat Cabalee, and Zubin Mehta.
What is the album's title so worded?
I drew inspiration from the creation of the solar system. The sun broke up to scatter debris that later on cooling formed planets. The sun is a star out of whose dust was born this solar system. Thus the title.
Are the title and the sub-title at variance with each other in terms of meaning? The creation of universe was a violent phenomenon, and the title is Ahimsa?
Yes, the creation was a kind of big bang, but my choice of the title emphasises that Himsa disturbs the peace and co-ordination of this solar system.
How was the album planned?
I was performing at a concert abroad when I met CEO of a US-based music company, Richardo J Barrantes. In between my concert I felt as if while listening to me he had drifted into a different world and was thinking hard on something. That something when worked upon got transformed into this end-product called Ahimsa. The product is Indian, but the pattern is from America.
Do you feel that the album will be a commercial hit?
This is difficult to predict. Commercial success is often not reflective of artistic success but it is up to the listeners and music lovers to try out this internationally flavoured album.
Do you want to go back to playback singing?
I have been singing off and on. If I am approached by producers I am willing to sing for them.
Copyright © 2001 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
