Marathi actor and classical singer Jashan Bhumkar is a a rising star in the Indian music scene, is not only a gifted musician but also an entrepreneur and someone passionate about fitness. On Hindi Diwas, he shared his thoughts about how Hindi is used in the entertainment world and the recent developments.
Has the popularity of Fusion music and KPop led to a decline in interest in Hindi music among listeners over time? If so, why do you think that is?
No, I don’t believe there’s been a decline in interest in Hindi music. In fact, I’m quite optimistic about it. Recently, there has been a revival of interest in Hindi music, especially among the youth. In the past, remixes often incorporated a lot of English elements, like English rap. However, modern remixes are focusing more on Hindi versions of songs, and the lyrics are improving with a good balance of modern and traditional Hindi.
What changes have you observed in the music industry in terms of using Hindi in songs in recent years?
In recent years, there have been positive changes in how Hindi is used in songs. Remixes and songs now prioritize Hindi lyrics over heavy English influences. Even traditional Hindi, like Braj Bhasha, is gaining popularity. This shift has allowed music to better connect with young audiences and reach a wider fan base.
Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians on embracing our culture and more?
I would encourage budding musicians to explore and embrace our rich cultural heritage. Many young artists are returning to their roots, which is a wonderful trend. Whether it’s through Sufi, Ghazal, or classical music, don’t hesitate to reinterpret traditional music in your own unique way. It’s important to keep the original emotion intact while expressing it to a broader audience. This can be a beautiful journey in music that resonates with millions of people.
Jashan is known for his soulful renditions of classical music, including ghazals and abhangs. He even created a classical version of ‘Rangi Sari Gulabi Chunariya,’ which was originally popularized by Kavitha Seth. He’s a versatile artist, having sung the title track for the award-winning play “Don’t Worry Ho Jayega” in a jazz style. He began his musical journey at the age of five, and he was featured as a young talent in classical music on All India Radio’s talk show, Yuva Tarang. His performances have been aired on Doordarshan and USA National Radio. With over two decades of training in Hindustani classical music, Jashan is a proud student of the late Gaanasaraswati Kishoritai Amonkar. He has also received training from renowned figures like Pandit CA Agarkar and Gaanyogini Dhondutai Kulkarni, the last representative of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana in its purest form.
