Melody Matters: Rahul Mukherjee

Rahul Mukherjee is an acclaimed playback singer who has participated in numerous stage shows across India. His versatile voice has an intense depth, sending the listener to a mesmerising place. He has also sung jingles for various commercials. A disciple of the renowned classical vocalist Pandit Mani Prasad of Kirana Gharana, Rahul was the finalist in Voice of India 2, when he began his success journey. As part of Antarman, a folk band, Rahul performs alongside Pooja Shankar and Randeep Bhaskar. A chat about Rahul’s musical favourites:

One song on repeat on your iPod these days: Right now it’s a classic sung by Lata Mangeshkarji, Baharon Mera Jeevan Bhi Sanwaro from Aakhri Khat.

If you had to put together a soundtrack for your life, three songs that best describe your life would be? It’s rather difficult to put together a few songs but my list would be Main Ek Sadi Se from Lekin; Ae Hawa Kuch Toh Bata from Maachis; Aisa Koi Zindagi Se, by Roop Kumar Rathod from the album Vaada. Gulzar has penned the lyrics to all three of these songs. The fourth would be Maati from our album Antarman and Ab Ke Hum Bicchde by Mehdi Hassanji. These songs reflect my inner world and me.

Any music you used to love as a kid or a teenager that you’re now embarrassed by when you think back: I used to sing Gutur Gutur by Bappi Lahiri a lot as a kid. My family would make fun of me since I couldn’t pronounce the words correctly! Honestly, I don’t feel embarrassed by the song I used to sing, but I’m definitely embarrassed by my pronunciations!

How would you describe your taste in music? Music, on the whole, is life to me. So I definitely love all forms of music. But my heart is more inclined towards ghazals, Indian classical music, semi classica and thumris.

Your favourite time/way to listen to music during the day: I guess there’s no particular time for me to listen to music, except my morning riyaaz, which is a necessity.
— As told to Pooja Salvi