They say sky’s the limit, but is this pertinent to someone who wishes to look beyond theirs? Abid Anwar, a young Kochi-based actor, is one who didn’t impede himself to only his career, but to other fields like music. He grew up listening to soulful melodies of Rafi, Kishore Kumar and many more gifted singers, which inculcated in him a passion for Hindustani music, ghazals and Sufi songs. Abid started learning Carnatic music at a very young age. Recently, he began focusing on his solo musical career, taking it eventually to the national and international level. Experimenting with music at an international level, he is reviving the very crux of Indian traditional music. Performing at the Toronto International South Asian Film Awards was another feather in his cap. Ask him about his inspiration, Abid says, “I am still exploring music and eager to try an assortment of genres, which got me involved in Sufi music and Ghazal.”
He has set up a four-member music band – Yaadon Ki Baraat (YKB) – which performs songs with a retro vibe. “We have performed at quite a few places. We found that people are not selective when it comes to music. Instead, they are open to all genres of music,” Abid says. He has tried his hand at modelling and acting, and is equally serious about music. “While making a cover, it is essential to retain the essence of the original song. When a song is wholly altered or not altered at all, it may not sound appealing. Thus a play of tunes here and there would ignite a spark in the heads of the listeners,” he adds.
Though Hindustani music is a lot more profound up North, Abid’s musical performances have gained encouraging feedback overtime. He advises those who wish to exhibit their talents to make use of online platforms where budding artists can create an identity for themselves. Live performances are the pathways through which musicians can build their way to connecting with a number of people. YKB has been actively performing in Malaysia and Dubai.
When asked about the intricacy in making covers, he adds that, apart from picking the right songs, it is essential to respect people’s tastes. Bridging of one song with another while creating a medley should be carefully done, as the transitions help connect with the feel of the song.
