Himanshu Guru
Music director, lyricist and singer Aarohi Ajita, who dabbled in acting for a short while, wants to devote all her energies to music
When it comes to female music composers only a handful of names come to mind. In this select league belongs Usha Khanna – perhaps the most popular among women composers. After her debut endeavour ‘Dil Deke Dekho’ in 1959 she became an instant hit. Later, she composed music for more than 50 films including the superhit ‘Souten’ (1983). While Jaddan Bai is regarded as the first female music director in India, among some of the leading music directors are Saraswati Devi, Snehal Bhatkar, Shibani Kashyap and Bhavatharani (Tamil).
Young Oriya composer Aarohi Ajita has composed a few songs. Her aim is to become a successful music director. Orissa Post tracks her journey to success.
Daughter of Jasoda Rani and Ramesh Chandra Sahoo of Saya village in Tihidi block of Bhadrak district, Aarohi (22) completed her HSC from SS Girls’ High School, Sadanandpur and Plus II from SSJR College, Katasahi, both in Bhadrak district. At present she is a second-year student of Hindustani classical music at University of Calcutta. She is learning classical music under the guidance of Guru Shree Ujjwal Dutta.
“Guruji has mastered around 6000 alankars. So far I have managed to learn 50. Besides, I have command over a few ragas like Bhupali, Kalyan, Ashabari, Desh, Darbari and Shivaranjani. I visit my Guru’s place in Kolkata twice a month to learn music,” the youngster said.
“When I was in Class VI I sang the song ‘Chhota mora gaanti’ in a school function. Basant sir had trained me, from whom subsequently I mastered other valuable lessons in music and literature,” she said.
The music album ‘Sapne’ was Aarohi’s debut work. The music director, singer and lyricist also featured in the album. The music of the devotional album ‘Hei Maa’, devoted to Goddess Durga, was scored by her. She composed a pop song especially for Valentine’s Day. The number was aired on some channels where she was seen playing the guitar and romancing with her dream boy. So far, Aarohi has not composed for films. But she intimated that she is in talks with some producers. Currently, she has a good numbers of compositions to her credit, out of which on request she happily performed a few before this correspondent. Aarohi is also a great guitar player.
Asked about her daily practice, Aarohi said: “I wake up early in the morning and do riyaz for about three to four hours, of course not at a stretch. Accompanied with the harmonium I start with the mandra saptak (lower octave) and then practise gamak using the notes of the madhya and taara saptak (middle and upper octave). I practise a lot of alankars and mukta alaps. At night I practise the ragas.”
“Although I find myself good in many genres, sufi, classical and semi-classical, pop, rock and rap are my favourite,” she added.
Aarohi has been felicitated with the best female music director by the Roop Nagar Maya Nagari (2017) in Cuttack, Prithivi Devi Samman, Sabuja Samman award (2016) from ITER and Chandan Film awards.
Besides singing and music direction the youngster is an actor. She acted in films like ‘Bhanuri’ ‘Pilata Bigidigala and ‘Bindas Romeo’. On the small screen too she acted in TV serials such as ‘Samaya Kahuchhi Kahani’, ‘Bada Ghara Bada Gumara Katha’, ‘Unasi Kanya’, ‘Asha’, ‘Aahuti’, ‘Latkana’ and ‘Badhu’.
“I am done with acting and now only want to concentrate in music. I played the negative role of a bride named Mohini in ‘Uansi Kanya’ and essayed a police inspector in the Sambalpuri comedy serial ‘Latkana’. Now, if only I will get a role of my choice I will work,” she intimated about her stint as an actor.
“I have learned many things and got support from directors such as Sudhanshu Sahu, Murli sir, Litu Mohanty and lyricist Arun Mantri as well as writer Shailesh Tripathy and people like actor Saritasing Das,” she said.
“Aajhun naa aaye baalmaa, Sawan bitaa jaye’ from the film ‘Sanjh Aur Savera’ is Aarohi’s all-time favourite song. Asked what propels her to compose, she hesitated a little bit before saying: “I love to compose sad romantic songs and the feel of course comes out of a break up in my life. In fact, I could come out of the sorrow thanks to music. My grandpa was a flutist and father, though not professional, is a classical singer who always inspires me,” the composer signed off.
