Himesh Reshammiya: I have composed 300 new songs during lockdown

Here are excerpts from the interaction:

Q. How have you kept yourself busy in the lockdown? Did you manage to create anything new during the time?

Music is definitely a calming force. I have composed about 700 songs for a very big project, including 300 new songs during this lockdown. This project has inspired me to create new compositions. Now, I’m really looking forward to announcing that project because it is a complete game changer. It has some great melodies which are necessary for the music market in today’s times.

View this post on Instagram

Something very interesting coming up this week in the world of music , stay tuned , here’s a glimpse – lots of love ❤️❤️ @mxplayer #TimesofMusic

A post shared by Himesh Reshammiya (@realhimesh) on Jul 8, 2020 at 2:38am PDT

Music in India needs to completely become independent. And it has started to be. As compared to how music functions throughout the world, India has different kinds of rules. Here it is more film dominated. But, independent music will take over the scene very soon.

Also read | Mithoon: Talent is bigger than any individual or label

Q. How do you stay up to date with the trends? How has your music evolved over the years?

I have tried to be very relevant and have reinvented my music every year, whether it is “Odhli Chunariya”, “Nikamma Kiya”, “Just Chill”, “Mohabbat Hai Mirchi” or “Tere Naam”, they are completely Indian and rag-based melodies which I learned from my father. Then there’s Namaste London or going completely different and very Sufi with “Aashiq Banaya Aapne”, “Aapka Suroor” and “Hookah Bar”. So I have tried all kinds of stuff, while making sure that the soul remains intact. Whether it’s a modern song, a song for the clubs or any romantic melody, the selection of notes have to be rag-based in Pakki Bandish but you simplify it for the listener.

Also read | Sachin-Jigar: Artistes should depend on their own music channels than on a movie or a label

Q.  Do you think we have had enough remixes?

Yes, I think it is time to go back to original music. The audience is saying it and not just the music industry. Very soon, you will get a lot of beautiful melodies from me, and from others too.