The Annual Lata Mangeshkar Memorial Talk at the 56th IFFI in Goa transformed into a “vibrant musical odyssey,” featuring renowned music composers Vishal Bhardwaj and B. Ajaneesh Loknath in a session titled ‘The Rhythms of India: From the Himalayas to the Deccan.’ The discussion, held on November 23 and steered by critic Sudhir Srinivas, offered rare insights into their creative processes, the spiritual nature of music, and paid a heartfelt tribute to the perfection of Lata Mangeshkar.
The conversation began with Vishal Bhardwaj praising the ‘Kantara’ theme as “one of the finest film themes ever composed,” admitting it compelled him to seek out its creator. Ajaneesh Loknath, in turn, affectionately recalled being shaped since childhood by the unmistakable rhythmic “swing” in Vishal’s music from films like ‘Maachis’.
The talk grew intimate as it turned to Lata Mangeshkar’s legacy. Vishal Bhardwaj recounted composing ‘Pani Pani Re’, describing how the song’s soul was shaped by the sound and silence of a riverbank. He shared the late singer’s instinctive perfection, noting how she:
- Remembered every note instantly.
- Completed the song in a single take.
- Suggested subtle adjustments in the tune to precisely mirror the flow of water, leading him to conclude: “She wasn’t just a singer. She was a composer in her own right.”
Both composers offered candid views on the artistic journey:
- Ajaneesh Loknath revealed his quirky creative process, often using expressive syllables like ‘ayyayyo’ and ‘abbabba’ in his tunes before the lyrics arrive, which directors usually insist on keeping. He also shared the pressure of composing ‘Varaharoopam’ just 20 days before its release.
- Vishal Bhardwaj addressed the spiritual element in music, stating that “The closest we come to silence is music,” and describing the arrival of a tune as a sacred event that comes “from somewhere else.” Ajaneesh agreed, never having credited himself alone for the success of ‘Kantara’.
- On language and culture, Ajaneesh explained that while his song ‘Karma’ resonated universally, other culturally rooted songs may not travel as easily. Ajaneesh later emphasized folk music as being “born from innocence,” noting that ‘Kantara’ relied entirely on tribal instruments until its climactic fusion sequence.
The session concluded by exploring the role of technology. Both composers agreed that AI should not be feared, with Vishal emphasizing, “We will learn what to use and what to leave,” and Ajaneesh suggesting that AI may support musicians in certain contexts. The Memorial Talk ultimately served as a moving tribute that explored the vast landscape of Indian music, culture, and creative memory.
Key Highlights:
- Composers Vishal Bhardwaj and B. Ajaneesh Loknath honored Lata Mangeshkar’s legacy at IFFI in a session titled ‘The Rhythms of India: From the Himalayas to the Deccan,’ discussing their mutual admiration and creative insights.
- Bhardwaj paid special tribute to Lata Mangeshkar’s perfection, recalling how she completed ‘Pani Pani Re’ in a single take and suggested tune adjustments to mirror the sound of water, calling her “a composer in her own right.”
- The composers touched upon the spiritual nature of creativity, with Bhardwaj calling music the closest thing to silence, and Loknath discussing the use of tribal instruments and folk traditions in ‘Kantara’.
- They concluded that while technology like AI may support musicians, it should not be feared, and that artists must learn how to integrate it without losing the soul of the music.