Exclusive | I am very choosy about my projects says Ram Sampath

A music composer and producer, arranger and singer with a creative mind, Ram Sampath started his career at the tender age of 17 and since then has lived up to his dreams and never looked back. His association with the Mumbai advertising circuit began when he composed music for advertising jingles for brands like Airtel, Docomo, Thums Up and Pepsi.  His latest composition has been the theme song for the Times of India ‘I Lead India’ campaign. In the last 13 years, he has composed music for around 4000 ad commercials, 20 TV shows, 4 pop albums and 3 Bollywood films.

Briefing Adgully about his journey and elaborating on how he achieved the glory that he is living up today, he said, “When I was young, I always liked to spend time with cassettes and VCD’s and even then music was my passion.  I started writing lyrics at the age of 8 and by the time I was 13, I had made my mind that I wanted to be a professional music composer. Years later I did become a music composer and my career in music is like a dream come true.”

Music has always been part and parcel of Sampath’s life since both his parents were musically inclined and this has helped him to stay connected with music.

It is a well known fact that Sampath considers himself a musical schizophrenic. When asked the reason for giving himself this title he said “I agree being considered as musical schizophrenic, as I am in love with all genre and type of music be it Indian folk music, sufi, pop or rock.”

His passion towards different genres of music ranges widely from Indian to Western music prevalent across the globe. Sharing his views about the music industry scenario today and the growth that it has been witnessing Sampath says, “I feel our music industry has phenomenal energy today and it makes us believe that we are in good times now. Today the industry is opening itself up and providing platforms to new talent. We have observed these changes happening effectively.”

Does the association with international singers and bands give industry an added value? Replying to this he reverted, “I feel there is no need to have international singers. But singers from the west should understand what will work here in India. So, building a connect with any form of music is really important, we are not looking at the west for validation.”

He has been part of the Colorblind band. Hence as a performer we asked him to share his views on how over a period of time loads of Indian bands are emerging to  showcase their talent and what according to him is the scope for such bands in India. Sampath avers “I feel it’s going to get better. When I was young, even I followed bands around India which helped me to learn more about music. The music scene is doing well today and now we can play music organically. When a band performs live, it inspires other bands too, and that is something we have done. But one thing that any band should remember is never forget your roots. It may be  any genre of music but it should have the desi touch to it which will help you to represent your identity, your roots from where u come from, your culture and home ground.”

Sampath got his first break as a film score composer with Let's Talk (2003) directed by Ram Madhvani. Thereafter, he composed for several films like Khakee (2004) and Family (2006) by Rajkumar Santoshi, besides Jumbo (2008), Aagey Se Right (2009) and Luv Ka The End (2011) . He has also worked for jingles and albums.

So when asked what is that one element which has remained constant in all his forms of work, he shared, “A strong melody and my identity is noticeable in my different forms of work. After Khakee, I waited for the right time to make a comeback and then I did ‘Bhaag DK Bose Aandhi Aayi’ for Delhi Belly (2011), which was amongst my signature form of work.”

Sampath took a break from composing for films for some years, was that to rediscover his classical roots? “I went through a really difficult and frustrating period  as films in which I had composed got shelved. I waited for the right opportunity and saved my energy to show my best work and that span of waiting proved out to be right when with the help of Aamir Khan I got a chance to do a song in Delhi Belly after 8 years of struggle,” explained Sampath.

He agrees that today, though you may have enough potential and talent it’s tough to showcase that talent in Bollywood films. A chance to showcase his immense talent in Bollywood films came after much struggle and perseverance.

He is part of the upcoming popular television music series MTV Coke Studio. Coke Studio@MTV is back with its third season to celebrate India’s rich music culture. Sampath will be amongst the known producers of India such as  A R Rahman, Amit Trivedi, Salim – Sulaiman, Clinton Cerejo to Hitesh Sonik and Papon who are expected to participate in the show this season.

When asked to share his thoughts with regard to the third season of Coke Studio @ MTV, and how he views it as a platform  to showcase talent across India, Sampath said “ I feel the format of the show is very interesting,  it is really a strong concept and the last two seasons really worked well. My episode is themed Devi. As the theme of the concept is Devi, it is about the feminine divine power, whom we worship and it is full of energy.”

He has worked with different female singers who have immense potential, including  Rajasthani folk singer Bhanwari Devi to hip hop artist Hard Kaur, from Carnatic music vocalist Aruna Sairam to singer Sona Mohapatra.

As part of his recent works, he composed music for recently released film ‘Fukrey’ directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba.  Speaking about his ongoing and future projects he shared to say, “I have 4-5 projects in hand and I am very choosy about the projects on which I work. So these projects are based on different genres, and few of the compositions would be part of Bollywood films which will be launching around this year end.”

Sampath being a versatile composer himself, advises future generation singers and composers to   believe in themselves, live with music and acquire it as a passion. Making soul music in any genre should be their ultimate aim.