Find Solace in Music
Kerala-based artist Arjun Shaankar reveals how he synergises the aspect of healing the soul and shifting perceptions through his music
We all see the need to embark on a soul searching journey at some point in our life. Travelling helps with changing our perceptions and music helps in healing a massacred soul. Blending the two together Arjun Shaankar from Kerala, has chronicled a series of his travel videos called Hike Katha. He recently launched his first music video called Agaadha
Neelimayil of spiritual rock genre. We caught up with him and here’s what he had to say.
Coming from a family with absolutely no musicians the journey was Arjun’s to discover. From being part of small time college bands to making jingles and now starting a large band comprising of over eight to nine musicians called Indian Music Thali, Arjun has managed to explore the vast world of music. When asked about what inspires his music Arjun says, “Travelling, observing nature and even people’s conversations inspires me with tunes. I hear music everywhere. The sound of a fan, to the sound of rain to the rhythm of vehicles and train, everything inspires
me. Using natural sounds with the blend of musical instruments is something that I'm working with currently. Using rare instruments in music is also an interest that I’ve incurred. I recently picked up a Vietnamese instrument called Dan Moi.” Agaadha Neelimayil is a spiritual quest to find a soul who is a companion, friend, master, mentor and philosopher. The journey started from different parts culminates into the mighty Himalayas and the valley of Ladakh. “The whole journey is a journey into yourself where you realize where you came from and where you want to go,” says Arjun. Sharing a bit on his travel music series Hike Katha he says, “This album features my own compositions and combines my interest in Travelling. Being a solo Bullet rider with sufficient Himalayan riding hours, composing a travel song was always on the list. And thus, I went to Ladakh and shot the video of the song.” The album comprises of three songs Agaadha Neelimayil (Malayalam) being the
first.
As part of Arjun’s dream-collaborative-platform Creative Oxides, he also intends to introduce rural music wonders of the country and give them the opportunity to shine. “Real music also lies in rural hearts,” he says.
When asked about when he realised that music was his calling Arjun says, “Music was always there. But the pressure from the outside world to settle down, get a job and a stable income deterred me from taking a risk unlike my friends who are famous musicians. Since my academic side was strong, I chose to become a lecturer; I chose to mentor aspirants for Civil Service.
In those circles too, every session used to end with my songs in the class. My students have also inspired me to do it in the big canvas. So, in the beginning, I took a sabbatical and now I’m pursuing music full time.”
His advice to aspiring musicians is, “Music is a 'Calling' Sometimes when you get that impulsive rage from within, you should gush it out no matter what the people and the world thinks. Your music is your identity. There is no comparison. So, go for it, uninterrupted. Be an invincible musician who refines and learns music every second.”
I hear music everywhere. The sound of a fan, to the sound of rain to the rhythm of vehicles and train, everything inspires me.