When every word is poetry

Life StylePosted at: May 3, 2018, 12:18 AM; last updated: May 3, 2018, 12:18 AM (IST)Famous lyricist Irshad Kamil brings to life every emotion one has experienced at one point in life. In Chandigarh, he shares how his passion is his profession

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Mona

Main aapke lafz hi aapko lautata hoon... says Irshad Kamil as he steps back in his alma mater in Chandigarh, which he has kept constantly in touch with. Embroiled in the fast-paced life, sometimes we forget to live and hum a song, and that's what this famous lyricist digs in from his memories — a few things that have been part of all our lives and somehow lost in making a living! So whether it a Dil Diyan Gallan, Hawayein or Matargashti — emotions we have experienced at one point in life or another and walked away from; Kamil pens it all to bring in our lives as hits. And, he isn't back with just more hits to his credit this time; but also The Ink Band that has found a rousing reception with the youth. Dressed in his staple — denims and t-shirt; he never felt the need to be the kurta-clad lyricist, in fact, he did his first mushaira in jeans...he sits down for a quick chat at the Panjab University Guest House. 

True inspiration

My eldest brother, Saleem Akhtar, has been a huge inspiration in not only writing but also in setting up this scholarship. We have named it after my mother, late Begum Iqbal Bano Memorial Scholarship. From my days in the department (Hindi, he did his Masters and PhD from PU), there wasn't anything as inspiring as this!

The Ink Band

I have been working on The Ink Band from 2015, it's only now you get to see it. It's a one-of-its-kind poetry band and you got to see the response we get at premier institutes like IITs and IIMs. Youth today is very clued in to all kinds of art forms.

Golden era

Likhne, gaane, banane wala sirf ek gaana banata hai, hit use sunane wale karte hain! If frivolous songs are topping the charts today, it's because of the audience that is consuming them. Start appreciating good music and the golden era of music will return.

Personal favourites

I listen to ghazals and qawwalis. I love Beatles, Led Zeppelin, One Republic and also Justin Bieber. Yes, I quite like Bieber!

Total package

I do solo films. I like to take responsibility for the music I am part of. When you have a set of six-eight songs to create, you give all your might. Doing a song here, another there isn't my style. There is a certain synergy when you work on projects from the start to finish and that's what I enjoy!

Long process

I have three points of reference before I pick up any project — actor, director and producer. When any two of them are ticked, I am on. Writing all the songs for a film is a longish process. Jab Harry Met Sejal took  about a year; it takes anything between six months to one year.

True passion

Many a time people ask me if I ever get tired...I don't. My hobby is my profession. I unwind by writing and that's what I am doing all the time. I am fortunate that my family understands my passion and gives me a long rope; I too take out time for them. My son, an 11-year-old, is an aspiring musician and plays guitar as well as the piano.

Up next

There are so many current projects.  To name a few —Zero with Shah Rukh Khan, Bharat with Salman Khan and, Fanne Khan with Anil Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, are some of them.

mona@tribunemail.com

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