Interview: Background Music Director Zubin Balaporia Known for Bollywood Films such as Dev Talks About How Ustad Zakir Hussain Impacted him

By: Jan. 22, 2018
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Interview: Background Music Director Zubin Balaporia Known for Bollywood Films such as Dev Talks About How Ustad Zakir Hussain Impacted him Talented musician Zubin Balaporia had a love for music from early childhood. He started playing the piano at the age of 6 and did his first studio session at the age of 19 in 1985. Since then he has produced music and done sound design for many popular television, radio Commercials, documentaries, theater productions and has been the Background Music Director for many landmark Feature films such as Dev, Honeymoon Travels, Lafangey Parindey, Fireflies etc. Zubin Balaporia has also managed a parallel career as keyboard player for India's renown band - Indus Creed formerly know as Rock Machine.

Zubin recently performed at Upaj -- one of the most prominent classical music events in India. He talks to BWW about music and how Ustad Zakir Hussain has influenced his music.

BWW: How has Maestro Zakir Hussain, impacted or influenced your Musical Journey?
ZB: Growing up as a Musician in India, it is impossible not to be impacted by Zakirbhai in some way or another. In the past it has been my privilege to have recorded and performed on many occasions with his brothers, Fazalbhai and Taufiqbhai, both who are absolutely outstanding musicians. And the ultimate honor was to perform alongside him on the 10th of Jan.
BWW: A few thoughts about performing with other artists such as Niladri Kumar
and Mohini Dey
ZB: Well, the really interesting thing is that we come from such diverse musical backgrounds. Zakirbhai and Niladri though steeped in Indian Classical Tradition, are now of course World Ambassadors of Indian/International music. Mohini is a sheer prodigy and brings with her a sense of fusion, funk and youthful energy to the band.
My own background stems from Western Classical Music, Rock and and Jazz
So when it all comes together I think it will be an explosion of extreme diverse musical colour.
BWW: What were you personally/musically looking forward to whilst performing at this year's Upaj
ZB: Personally for me it is a great honor to share the stage with such talent.
I look forward to the music - which I believe is true, honest and from the heart.
I think it was a wonderful blend of form and structure - united with improvisation.

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