Music is like God, very divine - Music Director Natraj Dastidar

Well-known music director Natraj Dastidar, who has been composing music since the last 15 years in the entertainment industry, is passionate about guitar and believes ‘Music is God’. For our ‘Behind the Lens’ section, we bring you insights of the man who eats, drinks and sleeps music. Tell us how you started your journey in this industry? Well, I hail from Raipur from where I did my schooling. Later, I went to Kolkata to pursue my studies. From my childhood, I have been into music for which the full credit should go to my mother who always inspired me. After I learnt guitar, I became a guitarist. Then, we had to struggle a lot and I had my own shares of struggle. Initially, I was into writing and used to compose music. Then, along with a friend of mine, I got in music direction. We are known as the Durga-Natraj team. Can you talk about your current job profile? Currently, I am into music direction. In all, I have written music and tunes for over 10 movies but mostly in the mythological genre. I have worked with several music companies like T-series and Times Music for whom I have recorded several albums. Basically, the company calls me over after which I compose music for them. Otherwise, I am approached by directors and producers for the same. I have also worked with reputed music directors. Currently, I am giving music to a mythological film titled Saawariya. In television space, I have composed for many mythological shows earlier. Tell us something about the current generation of music directors? I feel it’s the best; the platform that these youngsters have got is superb. We have an advanced technology in place by which with one instrument (synthesizer) one can play any musical instrument. In our days, things were quite difficult; we had to tax our brains to compose music. I wish I was born in this era. What difficulties did you face in your career? There were times when people used to criticize my music. But I took all the criticism quite sportingly. I just hate when people randomly come and criticize without knowing the ABC...of music. As a matter of fact, if a musician personality criticizes me, I will not mind it. Whom do you consider as your Guru in music? Well, you have put me in a spot; it will be quite unfair to name a particular person. I have worked with singers like Mehndi Hassan sahab to Bade Ghulam Ali to Ghulam Ali and have learnt a lot from everyone I worked with. Few people who taught me music were Dr. Anita Sen and Meenoti Roy. How do you compose music when you are stressed? Well, music itself is a healer. When I am angry or stressed, I go inside my music room, play my music and calm down. I can never disconnect from music and I am lucky that music is my soul. What are your future plans? Like always, my aim will always be to create and direct good music in the future. Your advice to young and aspiring musicians… I would always suggest that one should never leave the authenticity of music; it is like a holy book, a Bible. To me, classical music is a granth (religious writing) while western music is not. The base of all types of music is derived from classical music. Music is like God-very divine; it’s like a golden plate for us. Always make sure that one should never forget his/her roots.