SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2015 (PAGE-4) BOLLYWOOD BUZZ PERSONALITY 'I cannot disown any of my films' Santoor maestro Ravi Rohmetra flawless musician truly deserves these honors and more. Arjun Kapoor is one of the few star children who decided against making his Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma has created history in the world Duggar land has produced politicians , academi- of music, is an understatement, and inadequate attempt Bollywood debut under his home banner. The young actor, who made his debut cians, social workers ,journalists , writers, singers , to capture the maestro's achievements and contributions. actors and leaders of caliber. One amongst them is After all how many musicians can boast of single hand- with Yash Raj Films' Ishaqzaade, shot to stardom in no time. The five-film-old renowned santoor Maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Shar- edly bringing forth an obscure, almost unknown instru- actor has finally decided to work under his home production and a lot is being ma. He is a very famous classical musician, who has ment to the level of being "Indispensable" on the concert platform. Santoor, which was used in Sofi music in the acquired international fame by playing the classical expected from Arjun's Tevar. The actor spoke to Gaurav Sharma. valley of Kashmir, owes its classical status to Pt. Shiv instrument, Santoor. Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma is a one Kumar Sharma. When Pandit Uma Dutt Sharma, a Finally, you have finally been in a home produc- of the "NAV-RATTAN's of India in classical music. renowned vocalist from Jammu and a disciple of Pt. Bade tion. Originally this music came from Iran Mughal Emper- Ramdass Ji of Benaras spotted it, he was convinced of Yes, I was long due and I am sure my father, Boney ors brought this music to Kashmir. With the passage the potentialities of the instrument. After extensive Kapoor and my uncles Sanjay Kapoor and Anil Kapoor research on the instrument he bestowed the responsibil- of times Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma modified the tradi- ity of establishing it on his only son Shiv Kumar. The rest, too are equally excited about the film. The film has tion of this music. The Santoor is a trapezoid-shaped shaped up well and now it's up to the audience to decide. as they say, is history, however, the road to success was Was it a planned move that you didn't want to hammered dulcimer often made of walnut wood and far from smooth. After several radio broadcasts and per- make your debut under your home production? has 72 strings, which are struck with two delicate formances, he appeared for his national level concert in I haven't planned anything ever. (Smiles) In the first carved wooden mallets. Mumbai in 1955. place, I was never preparing myself to become an actor. The Santoor is essentially a folk instrument that orig- This was a turning point in his life where he received I was more inclined towards direction and worked as an inated in Kashmir valley, which was given the status of a applause as well as was severely criticized by the ortho- assistant on quite a few films. Everyone knows how much classical instrument due to the persistent efforts of Pan- dox sections of musicians and listeners. Today Santoor I weighed at that time. I was 120 kilos. Then suddenly I dit Shiv Kumar Sharma. was suggested by Salman Khan to try my hand at act- Reaching at this level in life ing. I had to completely change. He helped me a lot get- was not easy for him and it is ting into shape and I had to shed a lot of weight. Then I because of determination decided that I should do something on my own. I went that the Santoor is a popular for an audition at Yash Raj Studios and was selected for classical instrument. Pt. Shiv Ishaqzaade. That is how it happened. Kumar Sharma was born on So you too had your share of struggle. 13th January, 1938 in Jam- I had but I also got support from a lot of people. I got mu. He was introduced to the the right break and was noticed by some very important Santoor by his father and people in the industry and kept getting the right offers. teacher, Pandit Uma Dutt Most of your films have done great business at Sharma. He was renowned the box office. player of the instrument and I think I have made the right choices most of the time also vocalist. He was a dis- my decisions worked. I am extremely fortunate to have ciple of Pandit Bade Ramdas got a change to work with some very good filmmakers, Ji of Banaras. Pt. Shiv Kumar who showed their faith on me. The audience too have Sharma learnt the tabla and been very kind. Initially, when I was making my debut I also a vocal singing before was quite nervous before the release of my film, because dedicating himself to learn I didn't know if the audience would accept me. the Santoor extensively. The How important is Tevar in your filmography? Santoor was known as the Every film is important for me at this age. I have done Shata-Tantri Veena in earlier just a handful of films and have to prove myself a lot. I days. It was used to accom- am sure that will happen with time. No film is big or small pany a particular type of singing known as Sufiana Mausiqi. Pandit Uma Dutt Shar- is at par with any classical instrument, well established for me. I know I have to perform with every film and prove not just all over India, but across the globe with his cre- my worth as an actor. Tevar is certainly one of the most ma gave the responsibility of taking the Santoor on the world stage to his son Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma. Sharma ative genius. Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma has created a new important films in my career so far and I have given a lot genre of instrumental music. of effort to look by character as real as possible. modified the folk instrument in order to make it more suit- able for classical music. He increased its range to full Through his performance career of over a half centu- Is there an additional pressure because it's your ry, he has created a new technique of playing with which home production? three octaves and also created a technique for smoother gliding between music notes in order to imitate human he could sustain notes and maintain sound continuity. He As an actor I can't disown any of my films. I have to too goes to play a kabbadi match where he comes across believes in the immortality of this great heritage of Indi- be responsible for every film I do. When it's a home pro- Radhika and following a series of events their life voice quality. Shiv Kumar Sharma also created a new way of playing it so that the notes and sound continuity could ans classical music and wishes to leave no stone duction the involvement with the film increase a lot more changes. The film has been extensively shot in Agra and be maintained for a long time. Shiv Kumar Sharma has unturned to make it so. With this aim in mind, he has been because the expectations grow manifold. But had Tevar Amit Sharma, who is making his directorial debut, has collaborated with many musicians like Zakir Hussain and imparting this knowledge to the next generation of musi- not been a home production I would have been equally done a marvellous job. I am really thrilled and about the Hariprasad Chaurasiya. He also composed music for Hin- cians. So deep is his conviction that despite no institu- involved with the project. film in the theatres. di films like" Lamhe", "Daar", "Silsila",etc. Some of his tional or government support, he has been teaching in Tevar is a remake of the hit Telegu film Okkadu. How do you go about choosing your films? famous albums are Call of the valley , Sampradaya, ele- the Guru Shishya tradition, without charging a fee from There's no set rule. It all depends on the script. If I like That increases the responsibility because the original ments; water, music of the Mountains, Megh Malhar, etc. his students, who come to him from all the corners of India a script and feel that I can do justice with the character, was a big hit. But we have changed a few things keep- His son Rahul is also a famous Santoor Player. as well as different parts of the world like Japan, Australia, ing in mind that the audience this time will be different. I I take up the project. Shiv Kumar Sharma is the reciepient of many presti- America and Germany. suppose that happens with every remake but the basic So are you happy with the way your career graph gious awards like "Padma Shree", "Padma Vibhushan", Music, he believes, is food for the soul. Naturally, his plot is the same. is moving? "Sangeet Natak Academy Award". Honorary Doctorate music is meditative and soothing at the same time. His Tell us about your role. I think so far all the right things are happening and I from the University of Jammu."Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan immense faith in the ancient wisdom of Vedanta has I play Pintoo, a college goer who is a kabbadi cham- would like it to move it the same way and would be hap- Award","Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar", etc.