For music career, think big but be realistic

June 21 is World Music Day

Huge stages, bright lights and high-voltage sound along with a discerning audience; all this is a dream for any musician, especially for the growing Indian music artistes. But the journey to the top is not so easy and one needs to think long and deep before embarking on a career in the medium, top musicians say. India's Parikrama classic rock and fusion band started its journey almost two decades ago when India's independent music scene was still nascent. Making it a career was not even on the agenda; so forget about planning for the future.

"When we started the band, earning money from it was never on our mind. It was a passion for us and all these years we have been passionately playing our music," Subir Malik, Parikrama's keyboard player and the man behind the band, told IANS.

"But it is important to think long-term. When you are young and single it is good to dream about creating music, but one must also not be blind to reality. There is no music happening 365 days a year," he added. Hemant Chona, 22, bass guitarist with the Mindflew band, agreed that there are many hurdles in the musical journey and he has seen the insecurities of older artistes and what a disbanded band goes through. Artistes get extreme satisfaction from the fact that the Indian music industry is booming. This has automatically led to rise of many bands catering to different genres to dabble with, from electronic, rock-and-roll, Sufi, fusion and rock to pop. Music festivals like NH7 Weekender, Sunburn, Storm and the Escape Festival of Art and Music have also given artists a chance to showcase their talent to a wider audience.

"There are many opportunities for young bands today," said Ujwal Nagar of Indian fusion band Advaita. Narrating his struggle, Rishabh Nath, 26, part of a now-disbanded band, said the musical journey is full of difficulties. "One must not entirely depend on it as a career till one is established. It is important to keep your options open. There is so much uncertainty. Today you might have work, but tomorrow you might have nothing," Nagar pointed out. "One should be ready to accept the challenges that come with it," he added. However, Malik said there is no need to be disheartened.

"By making an alternate career choice, I am not saying become an LIC agent. I am trying to say that there are many options available in this field," Malik suggested. "At the same time just be flexible. Don't get stuck if things are not happening. Music doesn't come with age-limits. Passion can be pursued and ends can be met only if one is open to work hard. If today is not your day, tomorrow will be. So play a wise game," he added. In other words, play on and just let the music flow.

-IANS