"Ranjit Barot on the Dual Nature of Social Media: Empowering Yet Alienating"
Ranjit Barot. Pic courtesy: @ranjitbarot1 The information explosion and social media is a two-edged sword, believes ace percussionist, drummer and music composer Ranjit Barot. “It’s empowering, bu...
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Ranjit Barot shares thoughts on the impact of the information explosion and social media on musicians. He believes that while social media can be empowering, it can also be alienating. Barot expresses concern that musicians relying on social media may lack the skills to perform in the real world, while many talented artists struggle with anonymity due to their limited engagement on social platforms. Embracing various trends, Barot emphasizes the importance of discerning the positive and negative aspects of each trend. He highlights the value of collaboration in pushing oneself to improve, preferring to surround himself with individuals who are more skilled than he is. Barot stresses the significance of creating music that can stand alongside works by acclaimed artists like Sting, Prince, and Michael Jackson. He acknowledges the challenges of being a musician, noting that while music is widely consumed, it remains one of the least lucrative art forms.Subscription services charge a monthly fee, but only a small portion of that fee goes to the artists. AI, or artificial intelligence, is viewed by some as a convenient tool for those who are lazy. However, for individuals who possess true skill, AI cannot replace them. While it may eliminate those lacking talent, it cannot supplant those with genuine talent and ambition. The music industry needs more artists creating high-quality music in order to transform the current landscape. In India, the music industry has been watered down to the extent that creating intellectual music is considered a niche pursuit. The industry is currently dominated by individuals who do not prioritize quality and lack a standard benchmarking system. Although the use of a popular celebrity's image in a music video tends to influence consumer preferences, there are still pockets of exceptional music being produced, such as the works of AP Dhillon and Diljit Dosanjh. It is important to foster more artists who are committed to delivering quality music to bring about positive change.

Attributing much of his success to his mother, Sitara Devi, a renowned classical Kathak dancer, the individual acknowledges her as his greatest influence. Inspired by her strong motivation and exceptional talent, he has worked diligently and continues to strive for innovation, expression, and meaningful engagement with others. An upcoming event titled Beat Route, featuring a collaboration between director Roysten Abel and rhythm maestro Ranjit Barot leading a performance on drums, will showcase the talent of ten master folk percussionists from Rajasthan and Kerala at Chowdiah Memorial Hall from 5 pm to 8 pm on October 5th.