Finding his groove

So what made this regular guy take on an unusual profession like DJing?After dropping out of college, I used to do choreography for var...

So what made this regular guy take on an unusual profession like DJing?
8220;After dropping out of college, I used to do choreography for various live shows and plays. DJing was not even in my unconscious mind. On day I went to Cavern 8211; a disco in Mumbai, and my friend who was the DJ there had not turned up. 8220;The manager requested me to play the music and despite my reservations he simply put me in that cabin. He pointed out the two turntables, put on the headphones and I was the DJ for the night. The first song I played was Borderline by Madonna. 8220;I was scared as hell but continued playing music. I played track after track of pop, disco, rock n8217; roll and realised that I was actually mixing numbers. By the end of the night I was hired. I remember I was so excited that I could not sleep that night!

8220;I realised that this is exactly what I wanted to do. I went back at 6.30 a.m. and began practising. That was the beginning of my career.8221;

As the most sought-after DJ in Mumbai, what do you think it takes to be good in your chosen profession?
8220;First of all, I think anyone aspiring to be a DJ should have a good sense of rhythm. He or she should know music, should be able to talk well because interaction with people is very important. He should know the pulse of the people and know what music will down well with which crowd. Some DJs feel that taking requests is passe. I feel that it8217;s most important to keep the crowds happy.

8220;Also I feel that unlike some of the guys I know, a DJ should dress well. People have the wrong notion that a DJ should resemble a hippie. Some DJs I know have long, unkempt hair, wear even pyjamas to the disco, all because they think it8217;s cool. I think it8217;s disgusting.

8220; What8217;s wrong in looking good, clean and presentable? When people make requests, they come close to you. Do you think anyone would like to get near a DJ who stinks? I believe in looking decent, talking well and of course keeping people happy.8221;

So, how did Jalwa and Jadoo happen in the midst of DJing?
8220;Right from my early days, I have been mixing music and when I joined Xanadu in the mid 80s, I used to mix Hindi music with Western. Before that, Hindi film music was not considered hep. Despite this I used to play these mixes, which used to go down very well with the disco going crowds. After all at the end of the day we are Indians.

8220;Sometime in the 80s, I organised a Live Remix night at Xanadu and invited all the top bosses of various music companies. But no one reacted. Hindi remixes did not happen till Bally Sagoo brought it to India. It was then that Times Music approached me and I got Jalwa and then Jadoo.

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What does it take to make a remix?
8220;It may seem simple, but remove the lyrics dekho, dekho from Jalwa and you will realise that the music is very different from the original. Remixes involve giving a new treatment to old music. I listen to a lot of music and in every song there is always a particular aspect that appeals to me. It could the drums in one, the guitar in another, but I remember this and try to use it differently in the remix versions. I am working on my third remix and hopefully this will be my last one, because I want to make my own music, do my own album.8221;

What are your future plans?
8220;To get married. My family has given me a deadline till August when I turn 33 to find myself a girl. If I don8217;t I have a feeling they might do something drastic! But yes, I am serious about settling down. I want to marry a girl who will understand my work, who will accept my unearthly hours. I hope I meet her soon.8221;