Co-presented by
MOVADO
Associate Sponsors
KIA PNB
KIA
skip to content
Advertisement
Premium

From battling asthma to staying off movies, here is how Shantanu Moitra prepared for a life-altering musical journey

"Consciously, I am not sure if this journey has affected my musical score. However, I am sure it has affected how I look and respond to things that have changed and happened to me," he said.

8 min read
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • whatsapp
  • Reddit
Shantanu Moitra, Shantanu Moitra concert, Shantanu Moitra NCPAShantanu Moitra performing at Tata Theatre, NCPA. (Photo: Narendra Dangiya)

Shantanu Moitra’s music, whether in Parineeta, 12th Fail, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, or 3 Idiots, is inseparable from our playlists. Yet, the composer feels his best work is still a “rough draft.” He, however, lights up when discussing Songs of the River Ganga, calling it his “most cherished piece of art.” In an exclusive chat with indianexpress.com, Moitra tells us about the journey, his latest concert, the musicians he collaborated with, how he prepared for the journey, and why he has never considered his work a career.

Read the edited excerpts below:

Q: How did you conceptualise Songs of the River: Ganga? What was the main idea behind this project?

Shantanu Moitra: I enjoy travelling and spending time in nature. During my visit to the Himalayas in 2018, I realised India has a lot of beautiful landscapes, and there’s no better way to inspire music than to draw inspiration from them. I decided to write songs inspired by what I experienced between Kashmir and Tibet. People were finally stepping out after the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. In my opinion, we all needed to get outside and breathe.

I brought the musicians to the Ganga River because I think music cannot be just created on a computer in a restricted space. The journey was also deeply personal. I lost my father during the pandemic and couldn’t even say goodbye. We often spoke about travelling to the Ganga together. This journey became a way to find closure and spiritually reconnect with him. Partnering with NCPA felt fitting as they’ve always supported my most audacious productions.

Advertisement

Q: You cycled 2700 km for this journey. How did you prepare physically and mentally?

Shantanu Moitra: Preparation took two years. I cycled regularly, trekked, and trained in hill climbing around Lonavala. My sports nutritionist – someone who trains Olympians – devised a diet plan, and my trainer, Gopal, focused on strengthening muscles crucial for cycling. Mental preparation was key—I practiced on a home electronic cycle simulating topographies. To stay focused, I avoided movies and books, dedicating myself entirely to cycling.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Shantanu Moitra (@moitrashantanu)

Q: What were the highs and lows of the expedition? What has been the biggest learning?

Shantanu Moitra: Each day had its challenges and joys. Cycling uphill in the Himalayas was physically grueling, but descending offered relief and stunning views. I faced an asthma attack amid Bihar’s dust storms but completing the trek at Ganga Sagar was euphoric. The journey taught me the importance of teamwork—magic happens when people come together.

Q: Your journey was recently shared with the audience at the Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA. How was the response?

Shantanu Moitra: The response was overwhelming. Many in the audience were moved to tears. They journeyed with me, and other musicians, emotionally through the concert, experiencing its highs and lows. A packed house engaging so deeply gave me immense strength.

Festive offer

Q: Why did you feel a need to collaborate with other musicians for this project?

Shantanu Moitra: Every stretch of the Ganga I was riding alongside had its atmosphere, mood, appearance, colour, and character. I could match that with other artists. I got Mohit Chauhan to evoke the serene beauty of the Himalayas. I required the colourfulness and vibrancy of Mati Bani, which went well with Taba Chake. Banaras possessed Bombay Jaishri’s maturity and tranquillity. It was a very personal chapter as it was my father’s birthplace. I chose Sid Sriram because I wanted to experience the serene emptiness of Ganga’s incredibly magnificent section as it flows through Munger, Bihar. When I eventually visited Jiaganj, Murshidabad, it was a wonderful fit with the classical genius of Ambi Subramaniam and Kaushiki Chakraborty. Each of these artistes paired with a diverse side of the river I encountered during my journey. I feel fortunate to work with these artists because of this.

Shantanu Moitra, Shantanu Moitra concert, Shantanu Moitra NCPA Shantanu Moitra on the banks of Ganga. (Photo: PR handout)

Q: How did you transport the audience through Gangotri’s icy peaks to Gangasagar’s waters? Tell us about the music at the concert.

Shantanu Moitra: A composer responds to events, but he also observes and feels, and Ganga is no different. There was a vision about how I would convey that to the public, but I believe what was most important was the feeling I had while cycling that composition. The lyricists Tanveer Ghazi and Suhant Kirkire then took it from me. They translated it, saying that I had already told them about the area I was heading to but that they would need a few men to create the composition I provided them. Naturally, I also brought a song recorder, some simple guitars, and keyboards, with the intention of recording this artiste later by the river. After I finished, I would go back to the studio and fully complete the recordings. However, for the basic dubbing, I did it beside the river, and it captured the core of the voice, music, and fundamental structure. What resonated with the audience, in my opinion, was authenticity. Although various kinds of music existed in the Himalayas, I believe Ganga Sagar was primarily a folk song. I extensively used iktaras and dotaras, instruments found along the river, and plenty of Vedic chanting in an excursion of sound. Ultimately, the identity of the composition for the song I was writing was shaped by the composer’s response to the river I was riding along.

Advertisement

Q: This journey started in 2020. Why did it take so long to complete?

Shantanu Moitra: The project needed years of preparation, including a six-part YouTube series in 2021. And then, the expedition required me to prepare for a couple of years. I took a break before diving back into the concert, as bringing all the original collaborators together took time. I’m happy I waited for everyone to perform. My most significant gain was seeing them play together at the concert, something they helped create.

Q: Has this journey influenced your film compositions?

Shantanu Moitra: I’m unsure if it’s impacted my scores directly, but I am sure it has affected how I look and respond to things that have changed and happened to me. I’ve become less fearful of creation. I do believe Songs of the River Ganga taught me that there’s a bigger purpose in life than a creation being responded to positively. It has to connect with the audience silently. I think it has changed me in the sense that I don’t have any expectations; I just create because I love it.

Q: What keeps you relevant in an ever-changing music industry?

Shantanu Moitra: I’ve always treated music as a hobby, not a career. I say hobby because a job enforces pressure to earn money and make a living. That pressure can turn something you love to do into something you must do. I always believed that if I see music the way I saw it during college, the love of singing, creating tunes with a bunch of people, and keeping it that simple has kept me relevant. I’ve contributed to some films and enjoy doing that work. I would have long lost my inventiveness if I had been pressured to earn a living. I can relate to the music of today.

Q: Your personal best work to date?

Shantanu Moitra: I’ve always believed that my most recent work is my best, but my opinions shift when new projects are undertaken. My best work is still in the rough draft stage and has not yet been released. Songs of the River Ganga will always be my most cherished piece of art since it has a strong emotional and personal connection to me. It is among my life’s finest creations.


📣 For more lifestyle news, click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and also follow us on Instagram

Shweta Sharma leads the lifestyle section at IndianExpress.com. Over the years, she has written about culture, music, art, books, health, fashion, and food. She can be reached at shweta.sharma@indianexpress.com. ... Read More

Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement