Soma Das chats with Canada-based Indian composer Dr Shiva, the first Indian to have won Best Original Score for Indo-Canadian movie Amal at the 29th Genie Awards
Soma Das chats with Canada-based Indian composer Dr Shiva, the first Indian to have won Best Original Score for Indo-Canadian movie Amal at the 29th Genie Awards
Music composer, actor, writer, director, conductor and singer Dr Shiva is the first Indian to have the Genie Award for Rahi Nagufta, a song for Amal. The film is about a New Delhi autorickshaw driver who is content with his existence until he drives an eccentric billionaire (played by Naseeruddin Shah) who, disguised as a vagabond, is searching the streets for the last morsel of humanity and someone he can bequeath all his money to.
What does winning the Genie mean?
The competition was tough and I was conscious of representing the nation on a major platform. The award has opened doors, and I am considering a couple of Hollywood projects.
What makes Amal's music special?
I incorporated a lot of folk, classical and Western music. By a strange quirk of fate, I had essayed the role of the eccentric billionaire in the short film that was released in 2005, and I composed the music for the feature film. In fact, I sang the Ghazal, which has been filmed on Naseeruddin Shah, for which I won the award.
You formed a chamber orchestra called Rashtravani in Canada, that has performed in North America. Can we look forward to a performance here?
Long ago at a party held in Canada, someone asked me if chamber music was popular in India, and I said, "I am working on it." That's been my plan for a while. When I moved to Canada, I formed the Rashtravani Chamber Orchestra which now boasts of 50 members. They mostly play light, folk and classical Indian music. Bringing Rastravani to India, and collaborating with Indian musicians is a dream.
What next?
I plan to release a Ghazal album by next year, in India. I am also about to direct a Hindi thriller; I am looking for a Bollywood actor. My short film, The Little Prince of Pilibhit is in post-production, and will be released in a month or two.
Can you tell us about the turning points in your life?
The turning points were when I switched over to music full time and dropped a career in medicine. The other time was when I was stuck in Kuwait for two months during the Iraqi invasion. I have learnt the importance of humanity and the need to stay grounded as you never know what may happen tomorrow. I firmly believe that talent is brought from previous births and what we learn is carried forward.
Dr Shiva was born in a family of music lovers. He learnt Carnatic music. When he worked for All India Radio, he dabbled in Hindustani music with stalwarts Satish Bhatia and Anil Biswas. He simultaneously pursued a degree in medicine, and is an MD in Radiology
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