The early thrill!

Pawandeep Rajan and Ashish Kulkarni

In the midst of a round of auditions for Indian Idol, Ashish Kulkarni got wind of the fact that the winner of a previous reality show was also contending for the title of the 12th season. Convinced that an introduction was warranted, he knew he'd have "a lot to learn from, and share with" Pawandeep Rajan, if he befriended him. It didn't take long for the duo to realise that their differences could be the glue that cements a promising professional relationship.

Soon after the show kicked off, they'd spend the hours they were afforded jamming with each other. "If he would compose, I would programme, and the collaboration always added colour to pieces. It was like styling a mannequin," says Rajan, as poetic as he is melodious.

Kulkarni would pick out the notes that appealed to them from their collaborative sessions, and the duo would create full-length compositions of them. By the time the show culminated, they had 10 odd compositions in their kitty, and the knowledge that as a music duo, they held promise. "We already have a 20-song [contract] with [a music producer] and are working hard to create something interesting."

Kulkarni is as excited for listeners to be acquainted with Rajan's skills as composer, as he is to kick off this project. "[The audience] has only seen him as a singer. The way he thinks of music is something people need to be aware about. I am glad that I can work on [bringing] his ideas to life."

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Despite the work that they have done in the past, the duo agrees that the long-running show has given them a boost. "Idol serves as that bridge that gives small-town artistes like me a short-cut to cross a river that we'd otherwise have to circle all around. We're meeting legendary artistes, and singing their own songs before them." And while their performances won over every artiste who arrived on set, Rajan admits that a lot of technicians play a role in enhancing the final act.

"The creative, production, and floor teams put in a lot of work. The musicians work hard to bring them alive. Often, the songs that we sing on stage are the ones that were originally composed by certain musicians of the team. So, that experience is [surreal]. One of our mentors is a visionary. Instead of telling us what we need to change, he would tell us which part of the audience we should woo during different sections of the song, and which words must be emphasised to bring out the beauty of the song," says Kulkarni.

Rajan adds, "The participants belong to different parts of India, and hence, their Hindi pronunciation [isn't always on point]. That's where our mentors come in. They fix our accent, and tell us how to refine them. Our mentors are so talented that if they give us advice, and we work on it, we can instantly see the difference it makes to the rendition. Some notes are sung in an uncomplicated manner. We know that the singer singing them can add variations, but there's a reason he doesn't. It's not needed. These aspects were made evident to us."

Before the industry comes knocking at their doors, Rajan and Kulkarni are enjoying their moments of calm. It's easy to notice that they're still giddy with excitement about their new-found fame, one that they wish to share with their co-contestants. "We will all buy [homes] and a studio, and we will all work together, and grow together," signs off Rajan.