Raja Hasan - Truly Indian
Most reality show participants are known to fade into oblivion sooner or later. But Raja Hassan promises to be an exception. And he believes it’s a combination of talent, hard work and good luck that’s kept him alive in public memory and an artist people enjoy listening to.
We have to agree the boy’s doing well for himself. After all, one of Bollywood’s most sought-after music composer duos has been mentoring him. His first chartbuster was also Vishal-Shekhar’s De Taali (‘Maari Teetri’), and their union promises to be a long and fulfilling one.
Besides, like Raja believes, if you have talent, nobody can ignore you. We caught up with this guy with the right attitude on his about to be released album Yaar Mila De Re, the influence of Rajasthan in his music, starring in music videos and activities he indulges in when not singing.
How did Yaar Mila De Re come about?
My father, Rafiq Sagar, is a great musician and vocalist. I always wanted to sing for my father, and thankfully I’m in the position today to release my own album. My father has written the lyrics and composed music for Yaar Mila De Re. There are seven tracks in the album. My father’s friend, Pramod Juneja, has produced the album. Actually, it was their initiative; they asked my father if I would do an album for them.
Raja Hasan - Kesariya Balam
Could you take us through the album? Is there a Rajasthani feel to it since you hail from Rajasthan?
Well, you will get a feel of Rajasthan in my album. My father didn’t want to westernise it fully, so it has fusion and a sort of semi-classical touch. Keeping contemporary tastes in mind, we have a fast-paced song apart from two traditional Rajasthani songs. ‘Pardesi se kya aankh ladayi’ and ‘Aaja mare chammak chhallo’ are rooted in Rajasthani culture.
Then there is ‘Nazar Lag Gayi’ and ‘Mohobbat raas na aayi’ which have an element of sorrow. The last track on the album, ‘Tan ghayal ghayal kar gayi’, has a Punjabi flavour to it. I’m sure the songs will grow on the audience with each hearing.
Have you shot any music videos for the album? How was it seeing yourself on screen?
We shot a video for the title track, ‘Yaar Mila De Re’, in Bikaner, as per the song’s requirement. I can’t say that I was elated while shooting the video; this was the first time that I saw myself on-screen as an actor. It was embarrassing to watch the video in a group because I had no idea what they’d make of it. But when everyone praised my performance, I was relieved.
Another track called ‘Sajna jaye pardes’ has a video as well. The song is semi-classical with a Sufi touch to it. Although my father hasn’t used sargam in this song, the aalap is very beautiful.
Albums don’t do brisk business in our country. So why did you choose to release an album so early on in your career?
Like I said, I always wanted to do an album for my father. Besides, albums haven’t worked in India because there are very few good albums. Most albums have vulgar videos instead of good music. Also, thanks to piracy, you can’t make much money from an album and that’s why music companies don’t produce them.
You didn’t win a reality show but you are one of those contestants who make their place in Bollywood, perhaps because of his mentors. Do mentors actually help contestants or does the relationship end with the finale?
Vishal and Shekhar
I was from Vishal-Shekhar’s team. Not only did they help me throughout the show, but also mentor me now. They were the only ones in the whole industry who helped me. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy gave me a break with Aaja Nachle’s title track.
I can’t be sure of other mentors but Vishal-Shekhar helped me launch my career and after the show ended, I did songs with them. And of course my song with them in De Taali, called ‘Maari Teetri’, has been a chartbuster. Whenever they have work for me, they call me.
As for your question, I guess if you are talented, anyone will be compelled to call upon you. Apart from reality show contestants, there are lots of artists in the music industry who get a break solely on the basis of their talent. So if your work speaks for you, you don’t need anyone else’s influence.
How much fame do you think a reality show actually gives contestants? Once the show ends, you can’t be seen on TV. Don’t most careers end once the show wraps up?
I can tell you that a person’s life changes when they come on a reality show. They may not get the chance to sing in Bollywood, sure, but certainly lots of shows are available for them to sing at.
So it’s never as if one goes back to living the same sort of life that one led before the show began. And if you are a quality singer, you will certainly get work. I have realised that Bollywood is huge and has room for everyone. So one way or another, you will get your break.
As far as fame goes, I think India is an emotional country. People vote because they are emotional about a contestant, and they remember that person till the end.
According to you, which audience has enjoyed your singing the most?
While I was singing for reality shows, the entire country liked my singing. But once I started doing live shows, I realised that the people of the Middle East enjoy my singing the most. They start dancing to my tunes, and they love it when I sing Indian songs that have a classical touch or Sufi or khayal in them.
What you do when you are not singing?
I am sleeping! I swear! All day I’m either singing or recording, so when I get home, I just go to sleep. Proper rest is a very important part of singing. You may not need any bodily energy or working out to sing well, but it needs a lot of patience and hard work to sing.
What would you be if not a singer?
I would be a singer and nothing else. Before joining reality shows, I struggled in this industry for seven years. I have had only one option before me since childhood, and that has been to sing. I have made myself a singer. If not in Bollywood, I’d sing at shows. But no matter what, I’d always be a singer.
Do you get to interact with your fans?
I do, through my blog, as they send their comments to me. So whatever else I may do in my day, I make sure to write my blog.
Interview by : Soumita Sengupta
Source : Planetradiocity.com
latest, Maari teetri was played on Dance India Dance (DID). Earlier, Raja Hasan sang the song in SaReGaMaPa `09….once when he was called to announce the results of the bhramsastra round and the other time…..in the opening of the new season. The song was even used in the promotion of the film, De Taali on Zee TV’s show, ‘Rock-n-Roll Family’. 
