Suraj performs with love
Singer brings ‘Safar-E-Ishq’ concert to The Junction tonight
Suraj Bhartti has been around music and musicians his whole life.
His grandfather Shri Anand Kumar C was the recipient of India’s highest award in cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. His father, Shailendra Bhartti, and uncle, Devendra Bhartti, are also known for their prowess in performance.
Still, Suraj is not one to be deterred. Not only has he sung for movies such as Sixteen and Dushman, he has dabbled in jingle singing for corporations such as Airtel, Vodafone and Tata.
Ahead of his show,
Safar-E-Ishq, at The Junction tonight, where he will be joined by Mithila and Sancharee Saha, Suraj explains why having a musical family has helped fuel his passion.
What can Dubai expect from your show?
Safar-E-Ishq, as the name suggests, is a beautiful journey of the most important element in our life — love. We can’t imagine our lives without love as it changes the whole meaning of life for us. That’s where Mithila and I decided to... share with our wonderful audience a journey of love. The audience can feel the element of love in all its colours and aspects through our stories and narration with some really soulful and popular Bollywood songs like Lukka Chuppi, Dil Diyan Gallan, Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyaar Ke, Channa Mereya,
What are you looking most forward to in the city?
We are looking forward to sharing our collective talent with the music lovers of Dubai... who are keen to witness [a] conceptualised show. I [will] be supported by a bunch of extremely talented artists who are par excellence in their respective fields.
Was it daunting to go into the music industry considering the stalwarts in your family?
It was indeed a big challenge for me to have such legendary artists in my family and then to get into the same industry where people look up to them, but it kind of made me even more dedicated towards my passion... and to bring pride to the name of my family. I am the flag bearer of the family name [and am] keen to make a mark of my own under their guidance.
How long does it take you to compose a song? Tell us a bit about the process?
Composing a song for me is all about feelings. When I sing or compose or even write a song I am completely into it as I feel the tune and the lyrics. Most of my songs have been about love, which clearly proves how important love as an emotion is for me. I don’t sit with a keyboard or a harmonium to create a melody. Most of my songs have been made while I am travelling or [depending on] the state of my mind, which does include some heartbreak songs also. I believe a song will only be loved by the audience when the composer itself feels it.
What advice would you give other stars’ kids entering into an industry their parent dominates?
I personally have a different outlook towards it.
I don’t deny the fact that it’s easier to get into the industry of glamour and entertainment if you have a strong backup or source behind you, but it’s the most difficult task to sustain yourself and entertain the audience for the long run, which we have seen a lot of examples of. I personally feel one should really practice well and hard in Indian musical traditions — what we call
riyaaz — and develop a special quality within you to stand out in the crowd.
What’s next for you?
The list is pretty long but one thing is for sure that we would be extending our safar [journey] of Safar-E-Ishq and go places to give a wonderful experience of love through music.
“We can’t imagine our lives without love as it changes the whole meaning of life for us.” SURAJ BHARTTI | Singer