Santoor Maestro Rahul Sharma Expands Instrument's Sonic Universe
In an era dominated by electronic beats and streaming-friendly hooks, santoor maestro Rahul Sharma has steadily expanded the instrument's sonic universe, taking it from its traditional Kashmiri folk roots into global, cinematic, and now symphonic spaces. This evolution represents a significant journey for an instrument with deep cultural heritage.
Selective Approach to Bollywood Music
Despite an impressive career spanning over 75 albums and global collaborations with renowned artists including Richard Clayderman, Peter Gabriel, Kenny G, and Deep Forest, Rahul Sharma's association with Bollywood has been notably selective. The musician believes contemporary film music often lacks the distinct identity it once carried during earlier cinematic eras.
"Film is completely a director and scriptwriter's vision," Sharma explains. "The subject should inspire a composer to create something out of the box. Unfortunately, a lot of music is picked out of a music bank for films, rather than being defined like earlier times, which, in my opinion, gave more identity to a composer's style."
He elaborates further on the integration of classical elements in film music: "If the subject has scope for classical music, then it can be interwoven with a fusion genre, but it should fit the scheme of things and be catchy enough for the common man to hum. Intricate classical melodies can be used only if they are befitting."
Memorable Cinematic Moments and Global Pursuits
Despite his critical stance toward current industry trends, Sharma acknowledges memorable moments in his cinematic journey. "I enjoyed my Bollywood tryst, having had Lata Mangeshkar sing three or four of my songs, and more recently, Amitabh Bachchan as well," he shares with evident pride.
The musician also reflects on his father's legacy: "My father and Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia together scored music — it was a great partnership." However, Sharma finds particular excitement in his global musical explorations. "Travelling as a world musician is more exciting, and collaborations take you into new territory," he observes.
Nevertheless, Sharma remains open to future cinematic opportunities: "That said, even after finding success in films, if the right project comes along, I would be excited to do it."
Symphony of Santoor: A Groundbreaking Orchestral Project
Currently, Rahul Sharma is focusing on an ambitious project featuring a 35-piece chamber orchestra that reimagines the santoor on an unprecedented scale. This innovative endeavor, titled "Symphony of Santoor," represents a significant milestone in the instrument's evolution.
"Symphony of Santoor is created in a manner that depicts 'ancient strings with modern calm'," Sharma describes. "When you hear the santoor with an entire philharmonic orchestra, it has never been done before, and its success is creating a new path for the instrument."
The project achieves a delicate balance between tradition and innovation: "While retaining the purity in the alaaps and incorporating folk, raagmalas, and genres like jazz, it expands the horizon of the santoor in a way never experienced before," Sharma explains with evident enthusiasm for this groundbreaking musical fusion.
