Shekhar Ravjiani on becoming Sheykhar post-pandemic, “I just wanted a fresh spelling for my new beginnings”

By Rajiv Vijayakar -

June 15, 2023 - 12:50 PM IST

Composer Sheykhar, earlier known as Shekhar (Ravjiani) of Vishal-Shekhar, is now moving full speed with his independent ventures. It has long been a tacit understanding between the music duo friends that they will always continue their individual careers, doing whatever they like to do, even as they come together to make music for movies. Their last three films, Jayeshbhai Jordaaar, Vikram Vedha and Pathaan have had them billed as “Vishal-Sheykhar”.

Shekhar Ravjiani on becoming Sheykhar post-pandemic, “I just wanted a fresh spelling for my new beginnings”

So. what’s with the new spelling? Is it numerology despite things going fine? Laughs Sheykhar, “I just wanted a fresh spelling for my new beginnings.”

Can he elaborate?

“Ever since lockdown was declared, I had mentally decided that, come what may, I was going to create a new song every day,” says Sheykhar. “I had a few lyricists ready to work for me, like Kumaar, Rashmi Virag, Rajat Aroraa and Priya Saraiya (nee Panchal, wife of composer Jigar). I would send them my tracks and they would write the words. I have now launched my own music label, Garuudaa Musiic, and have released some singles.” But the music label’s spelling does indicate a numerological base!

The website of the label mentions the following ethos: “Envisioned to become the most powerful creative platform for talented young and dynamic independent singers, composers, lyricists and music producers, the label aims to showcase to the world an incredible reservoir of young talent that is waiting to be heard and seen.”

It adds, “Garuudaa Musiic is a manifestation of strong creative synergies and believes in following your passion fearlessly with unfettered and unbridled happiness. It is a musical universe that is filled with every imaginable colour that one can dream of. Just honest, good music from the heart that wants nothing else than to make you smile and take you higher.”

Says Sheykhar, “Some years ago, I had composed and sung the Marathi singles ‘Saazni’ and ‘Saavli’ and come out with the albums Hanuman Chalisa and and Adhyashakti. Now I am seriously doing more independent music with young artistes. Film music has anyway become less important within a movie. Films like Pathaan and for that matter, even Adipurush, have just a couple of songs. The days when we had classic soundtracks with varied genre of songs are becoming rare.”

But having said that, Sheykhar is gung-ho about Vishal-Sheykhar’s forthcoming film, Fighter, which, though an action thriller, has a proper musical soundtrack. “You will see a proper film album after a long time!” promises the versatile talent who has been an actor (Neerja), written lyrics for a few films, won a Song Recording/Sound Engineering of the Year award for the song ‘Titli’ from Chennai Express and even sung in Marathi and Telugu movies besides rendering songs composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Amit Trivedi and Vishal Khurana.

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