Interview with Ambar Das, Renowned Music Composer, Producer, and Multi-Instrumentalist

An exclusive interview with Ambar Das, Renowned Music Composer, Producer, and Multi-Instrumentalist

Ambar Das is a name synonymous with innovation and creativity in the world of music. As a renowned music composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, he has left an indelible mark on the industry with his exceptional talent and groundbreaking compositions.

His ability to blend diverse musical genres and instruments into harmonious symphonies has earned him recognition and admiration from music enthusiasts worldwide.

In this exclusive interview, we delve into the mind of Ambar Das to uncover the secrets of his musical genius, his journey through the realm of melodies, and his vision for the future of music.

Ambar, “Hazy Days” marks a collaboration between you, an already established music composer, and Pritisha Borthakur, a journalist-author, a fresh talent in the music industry. How did this unique partnership come about, and what inspired you to work together on this English country rock song?

Ambar Das: Every song has a journey of its own. “Hazy Days” was Pritisha’s brainchild. When she approached me with these lovely lyrics, she inquired if there was potential for them. To my surprise, they were already well-written, requiring only minimal adjustments from the initial draft. Pritisha possesses a amazing grasp of meter and rhythm, which greatly facilitated our creative process.

Upon my initial encounter with the lyrics, my instinctive response leaned towards a Rock Ballad or Country Rock genre. This inclination stemmed from the storytelling format of the lyrics and the choice of language. I conveyed my thoughts to Pritisha, and thus, “Hazy Days” began to take form.

The song “Hazy Days” tells a story of longing and nostalgia. Can you share more about the creative process behind bringing Pritisha Borthakur’s lyrics to life through your music?

Ambar Das: The themes of longing and nostalgia hold a special place in my heart, perhaps due to the way my mind operates, and partly influenced by my age and life experiences. As we grow older, these concepts tend to resonate with us more. People often find themselves placing greater emphasis on their idyllic past rather than their challenging present and unpredictable future.

Pritisha’s approach to writing the lyrics was remarkably meticulous and well-organized, making my role as a composer quite straightforward. Interestingly, we discovered later that she also had a Country Rock vibe in mind, and it all came together seamlessly.

You’ve had an illustrious career with 73 audio albums and contributions to feature films, web series, telefilms, and jingles. How did your extensive experience influence your approach to creating “Hazy Days”?

Ambar Das: Every artistic endeavor marries creativity and proficiency. While creativity and inspiration spring from an individual’s life, skill must be diligently acquired, refined, and honed to near perfection. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to accumulate valuable experience through a journey marked by rejection, selection, criticism, and appreciation.

An intriguing aspect shared by many professional and seasoned musicians is that, at a certain juncture, you begin to discern what appeals to the “market.” However, this often leads to a conflict between creating something for commercial success and crafting something that deeply resonates with your soul.

“Hazy Days” features talented musicians like Dishankan Baruah and Abhinav Borah. Can you tell us about the collaborative process in bringing these skilled artists together to craft the song’s musical landscape?

Ambar Das: I come from a background rooted in bands, and I consider myself blessed to have been a part of some of the finest groups in the country, collaborating and touring with exceptionally skilled musicians.

Regrettably, much of contemporary Indian music tends to sideline instrumentalists, putting the spotlight primarily on the singer. This has always been a source of discontent for me. While I possess the capability to handle both guitar and bass parts in the song, I opted not to, given the exceptional talent at my disposal.

Abhinav, in particular, has been instrumental in performing many songs for me. He’s an outstanding musician with an innate understanding of groove and melody – a potent combination for a bassist. Abhinav is a highly sought-after session and touring musician, frequently sharing the stage with Bollywood heavyweights.

Dishankan, on the other hand, is a remarkably composed and dedicated young musician who recently graduated from the esteemed GIT. He’s both fortunate and gifted to have had the opportunity to perform alongside legends like Steve Vai. It would be a disservice not to have him contribute a killer guitar solo to my song.

The emotional depth of “Hazy Days” is evident in its lyrics and composition. How did you ensure that the song’s emotional resonance was captured and conveyed effectively to the audience?

Ambar Das: Emotion originates from within and takes on a form that others interpret based on their own needs. I belong to a generation that was raised on the melodies of some of the greatest songs, both Indian and international.

My upbringing was steeped in music; my mother was a songwriter, and my brother achieved great popularity as a singer in Assam. My musical influences ranged from icons like Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, Bob Marley, The Beatles, and Queen to revered Indian artists such as Bhupen Hazarika, Jayanta Hazarika, Gulzar, and Javed Akhtar.

In the case of this particular song, the lyrics deeply resonated with me, and the song naturally evolved. I made a conscious effort not to interfere too much with the organic creative process.

In today’s music industry, how important is it for artists to explore new genres and collaborate across different creative fields, as you have done with “Hazy Days”?

Ambar Das: I believe artists should always remain open to exploration, regardless of the era. This is especially crucial in today’s rapidly changing world. The global landscape is undergoing significant transformations, and stability is elusive.

Everything seems to be in a constant state of flux – from relationships and genders to art, geo-politics, and socio-economics.

Art, by its very nature, is a dynamic and fluid process; it can never remain static. Music, in particular, is an ever-evolving continuum. We find ourselves at a juncture where nearly anyone can engage in music creation.

We’re already in competition with AI, where we can’t match their technical proficiency. Our unique advantage lies in the depth of emotions we can tap into for inspiration. Moreover, the more individuals involved in a project, the broader the spectrum of emotions and experiences that can be brought to the table.

Could you share any challenges you encountered during the creation of “Hazy Days” and how you overcame them, especially considering the unique blend of talents involved in the project?

Ambar Das: The creative process can be a demanding journey, and I’m no stranger to its challenges. However, with “Hazy Days,” everything seemed to effortlessly fall into place.

In my experience, as well as that of many fellow artists I’ve encountered, the hurdles in marketing a song can be even more formidable. Independent artists often find themselves at a disadvantage. Additionally, there’s a prevalent tendency for people to place greater importance on an artist’s follower count rather than their actual body of work.

This dynamic has led to an increasing number of artists having to allocate more time towards self-promotion, diverting them from investing their heart and soul into the actual creative process.

“Hazy Days” is available on various major music platforms. How do you plan to reach and connect with a global audience through this song, and what are your expectations for its reception?

Ambar Das: Indeed, “Hazy Days” is available on all major platforms, and quite a few smaller ones as well. I’m grateful to the many individuals who have generously contributed to its spread. I’d also like to extend my gratitude to you.

It’s disheartening to observe that much of the media tends to focus on celebrity names or controversies rather than the genuine artistic work of an individual. It’s unfortunate that even genuinely talented individuals sometimes feel compelled to resort to attention-grabbing tactics for popularity.

Regarding expectations, my years of experience have provided valuable insights. My aim is to continue creating authentic and meaningful music for as long as I’m able, and to ensure it finds its way to the right audience.

This collaboration also marks Pritisha Borthakur’s debut as a lyricist. How do you see her growth and potential as a songwriter, and what was it like mentoring and working with her on this project?

Ambar Das: I must say, Pritisha had an outstanding debut. She did a great job, and this is just the beginning of her journey. I see immense potential in her, and her erudition certainly gives her an edge.

Songwriting is not only a creative outlet for expressing emotions and experiences but also a definite skill that requires practice and experience. Pritisha’s background as a journalist and professional writer undoubtedly contributes to her prowess in this domain.

I wouldn’t label myself as a mentor per se; I simply shared some of my experiences and ideas with her. Collaborating with her was effortless, and as mentioned earlier, we scarcely needed to make any significant changes to the initial draft of the song.

What kind of projects have you done recently? And looking ahead, what can we expect from Ambar Das in terms of future musical projects, and do you envision more collaborations in your creative journey?

Ambar Das: I’ve recently composed music for two movies: one being the unconventional “Jagjivan Ki Patni Ka Teesra Pyar,” featuring the late Vikram Gokhale and Revathi Asha, and the other centered around a struggling artist titled “Five Point Three.” Both are set for release soon.

Additionally, I contributed two songs to an Assamese EP called “Aaxa” (meaning hope). This project involved a collaboration between current and former incarcerated individuals along with musicians from Assam. We endeavored to transform poems penned by these individuals during their time in Assam’s prisons into songs.

Furthermore, I worked on songs and background music for an Assamese film produced and acted in by my wife, Sarmistha Chakravorty. It narrates the story of a single mother titled “Jiya.”

In the pipeline, I have several upcoming releases, including “Tabla Blues,” “Beggar on a Beach of Gold,” “Ekalavya” (addressing the issue of casteism), “Dinobondhu Baruah” (shedding light on elderly individuals abandoned by their children), and “The Flood Song” (depicting the recurring floods in Assam), among others.

Additionally, I’m exploring some new lyrics sent by Pritisha, some of which hold great promise. My role is to keep creating, and I plan to do so for as long as possible.

Ambar Das’s passion for music knows no bounds, and his remarkable journey as a music composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist has showcased his dedication to pushing the boundaries of musical creativity.

Through this interview, we have gained insight into his unique perspective on music, his relentless pursuit of innovation, and his commitment to inspiring the next generation of musicians. As we continue to witness his musical evolution, one can only anticipate the extraordinary compositions and groundbreaking projects that Ambar Das will bring to the world of music in the years to come.

His contributions to the industry serve as a testament to the power of music to transcend boundaries and touch the hearts of people across the globe.

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