'We Are Not A Product Of Film Or Television Channel': Sourendro-Soumyojit On The Role Of Social Media For Young Music Artistes

World Music Day 2024: On this occasion, ABP Live spoke to music duo Sourendro Mullick and Soumyojit Das who talked about the role of social media and how it has brought them to the limelight.

Every year on June 21, World Music Day, also known as Fête de la Musique is celebrated. The first World Music Day was observed in 1982 in France where people were encouraged to participate by playing music outside. World Music Day has since spread to other parts of the world, and it is now a worldwide musical celebration. On World Music Day, several musicians, both professional and amateur, perform together. On this day, several concerts are held, and a wide range of musical genres are available to the general public. 

On this occasion, ABP Live spoke to music duo Sourendro Mullick and Soumyojit Das who showcase a fusion of their cultural roots and international influences. They talked about the role of social media and how it has brought them to the limelight. Apart from this, the music duo is also holding a concert in Kolkata on this occasion where luminaries from the music industry are set to perform to celebrate music.

Here Are Some Excerpts From The Interview:

1. How do you see the future of music in these changing times? What role does social media play in bringing young musicians into the limelight?

Music is an integral part of life. So, if we think of music only as an entertainment commodity, it becomes difficult. But music is music. One cannot live without it. Social media is the only and the biggest democracy that we have.

We feel that we have been given respect and love all over the world for our craft. But social media is the driving force behind it.

We are not a product of a film or television channel. We are not a product of a classical guru. We did what we felt was right. We presented it to people and that was possible only because of social media. We have been loved by people. And that love has taken us to a new level. And we are very happy about it. We always say that there is no pressure.

There is no trend. Art should be created with the joy of creation and everyone has their audience. Social media has given us that courage, so we are very happy and grateful to social media. 

2. What is your idea behind the World Music Day Concert?

The idea behind World Music Day is to develop a platform of friendship, to develop a platform for the city, which will give infrastructure to young artists, which will invite some of the glorious names in the field of stagecraft to come down to Kolkata, to the world, and play for its music-loving audience. We as musicians started this concept of World Music Day 14 years back. But after 14 years, what we see is that even some of the biggest names in the musical industry were so keen to have a platform where they could experiment, where they could put on something which is beyond their normal curriculum of performance.

So we are very happy to give this infrastructure to musicians, to young budding musicians, to legends, to everyone who can come and explode their soul and heart out.

World Music Day Concert 2024:

This year the World Music Day concert will be held on June 21 at Netaji Indoor Stadium, Kolkata and is themed around the collaboration of diverse musical forms, bringing together the essence of different musical philosophies in a unique and harmonious blend. Each performance promises to be an exclusive, one-time experience, presenting the magic that happens when two distinct musical traditions meet.

The ensemble lineup this year features some of all our favourites like Shankar Mahadevan, Shubha Mudgal, Vishal Bhardwaj, Rekha Bhardwaj, Papon, Usha Uthup, Mame Khan, Lopamudra Mitra, Ornob from Bangladesh,  Shweta Mohan, Leslie Lewis, Anindya Chatterjee of Chandrabindoo, Carnatic Doyen Aruna Sairam, Mir Afsar Ali & the legend Amjad Ali Khan with presenters and producers of the concert music - Sourendro and Soumyojit.

About Sourendro-Soumyajit:

Soumyojit, the vocalist, exhibits a penchant for experimental music, exploring a diverse range from classical renditions, semi-classical pieces, ghazals, thumri, and new compositions to popular and playback songs. His innovative approach aims to blend Western values with traditional Indian vocal techniques.

On the other hand, Sourendro, the pianist, brings a unique style, infusing the nuances of Indian classical music into the grammar of his instrument. Together, they compose, perform, and interpret music that resonates with their beliefs, maintaining the trust of their discerning audience and venerating the art form.