Interview: Runki Goswami on regional Indian music

Runki Goswami is amongst the rare generation of new musicians in India who are striving to revive and popularize regional and folk music. Runki Goswami has been learning Hindustani Classical music since childhood. Her tryst with Indian Cinema started in 2013; in Hyderabad as a music director of a Telegu film. Runki's music got noticed due to the genre of melody she revisited which is now a passé in majority films. She then went on to sign a few more new banner Telugu movies including Trivikraman. Her super hit composition Teen Maar Beatulakki is still a favorite with the rural population in Telangana. Apart from films, Runki's Bengali devotional album Debobeena and two other Hindi albums Manmarzian and Odhi Chunar Dhaani have been very well received by audience.

In a conversation with BWW Runki discusses why regional music in India and around the globe will always be popular

BWW: Do you think regional music in India suffers because of Bollywood?

Runki: Not at all. In fact many Hindi movie songs are adaptations of regional folk music. Bollywood in a way has helped creating awareness in regional folk. There are many folk songs, which I learnt because of Bollywood.

BWW: There is a huge film industry down south but is the music a rage just as Bollywood is in all of north India -

Runki:The music down south has a different flavor. It has a regional feel and a very common mass flavor. Most of the songs sound similar due to this and therefore the overall shelf life of south Indian film music is less. Again, there are exceptions and some songs still rule the charts. Nevertheless, Bollywood music is far more experimental and worldwide accepted that music of films down south.

BWW: Tell us about your musical training in detail

Runki: I have done my Visharad in Hindustani classical music from Prayag. Bhatkande padhhati is what I've followed and have delved with a couple of gharana styles while learning. Following this, I also took formal training in ghazal and other genres in semi classical.

BWW: What regional forms of music should be promoted in the current scenario

Runki: Regional music in all forms is soul stirring. Starting from Folk to Bhajan to Geets - everything deserves equal attention. If I have to talk about Bengali regional music - there is Bengali Baul, Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Geeti, Shyama Sangeet, Polli Geeti and a few more. Every format is beautiful and so unique. You cannot do one and leave the other. Therefore, all formats need to be promoted.

BWW: What classical forms of India music have the potential of being popular across the globe?

Runki: Indian classical is anyways well known across the globe. What are fading away are Thumri, Tappa and Kajri, These are gems and we should definitely do something to keep these forms intact and spread knowledge and awareness of the same.

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