Ranjit Barot believes that the explosion of information and social media has its pros and cons. He shares that while it can be empowering, it can also lead to feelings of alienation. According to the veteran musician, some musicians who thrive on social media may lack the skills needed to perform in the real world. Conversely, there are talented artists who struggle with anonymity because they are unable to fully engage with social media platforms.
Having experienced many trends over the years, Barot embraces the evolution of the industry but warns against the prevalent culture of self-promotion. He emphasizes the importance of discerning the positive impacts of trends while being mindful of their potential drawbacks.
Barot stresses the value of collaboration in pushing oneself to improve. Surrounding yourself with talented individuals motivates personal growth, as being the top performer in a group can lead to complacency. He considers it a privilege to collaborate with renowned musicians such as Ustad Zakir Hussain, John McLaughlin, and AR Rahman.
According to Barot, real music should be able to stand against the works of legends like Sting, Prince, and Michael Jackson. He believes that music should have substance and meet a certain benchmark to be considered authentic.
Despite the challenges, Barot expresses his gratitude for being able to pursue a career in music, which he considers the best life imaginable. However, he acknowledges that music, despite being widely consumed, is often undervalued in terms of financial compensation.Subscription services charge a monthly fee, but only a small portion actually benefits the artists. AI is considered a useful tool for those looking to save time. However, individuals with genuine talent and dedication cannot be replaced by AI. While it may weed out those lacking talent, true artists will always stand out. "We need more artists creating quality music to bring about positive changes in the music industry." There is still hope for the music scene, but in India, there is a tendency to oversimplify things, making it rare to find intelligent music. The industry is often driven by complacency, lacking proper standards. Featuring a popular star can sway audiences, leading to a repetitive cycle. However, there are pockets of excellent music, such as the works of AP Dhillon and Diljit Dosanjh. "My biggest inspiration was my mother, Sitara Devi." I have worked tirelessly to reach where I am today. My mother, a renowned classical kathak dancer, instilled in me a sense of determination and motivation. Her strong energy influenced my own drive for innovation, expression, and meaningful connections with others. (Beat Route, a collaboration between director Roysten Abel and master percussionist Ranjit Barot, will showcase 10 skilled folk percussionists from Rajasthan and Kerala at Chowdiah Memorial Hall on October 5, from 5 pm to 8 pm.)
