Karthik is attempts to break boundaries across genres, eras, and languages and put together interesting and innovative mashups in various cities. He has been also composing music albums now.
Karthik says, “I can't really define music because music is what it is and what it does. It is just a part of me and it is an extension of myself”. He feels singing happened to him because he loves the idea of singing which makes him extremely happy. Composing has been a very natural process for him to evolve into and become a composer as well.
“Singing was the passport to get into music deeper and deeper and then, once I turned a composer, I realised singing is just one aspect of being a musician. But if you want to become a wholesome musician, I think you need to become a composer. Both have just been a natural process in my life”, says, Karthik.
Getting into the field of music was not his ambition, explains Karthik. “In fact, I did not know people in the industry, wasn't experienced either, nor did I have somebody in the family who could guide me at that point of time,” he says. “You could call it luck, blessing, the universe, God whatever. I think it is just the right thing is happening at the right time and the right place. Perhaps, meeting beautiful people who really felt that I deserved to turn into a professional musician and great things happened.
“Of course, whatever opportunity I got till date, I treasure them and never take them for granted. But for a start, I never thought this as a career. I think I have been extremely lucky”, Karthik recalls.
When Karthik was asked about whether in today's youngsters are getting influenced by film songs and classical music is slowly declining, he says no. “I don't think classical music is declining. In fact, classical music is evolving and I also think youngsters are looking at classical music in a slightly different way and they are giving it a very edgy twist to it.
How was your experience in working with Gautham Menon for Ondraga Originals? “Working with Gautham Menon is absolutely enjoyable, because he is a super sensible, super sensitive, intelligent human being who has got a very refined taste of music and absolute clarity in terms of what he wants. At the same time, he is open to taking something totally new. In fact, we have so much fun doing this together. We have been very happy with the kind of response we got for the Ondraga Originals and we are currently working on the next one which is going to be out very soon”, says, Karthik.
His advice for youngsters is, “Always look at yourself as becoming a better musician and not confine yourself to becoming a better singer and looking at a short term goal. The vision has to be much larger and think big and try to go global all-out” he concludes.
Karthik will be performing at the Museum Theatre, Egmore in the city on October 8.
