Singer-composer Amit Trivedi: Everything changed for me on the day “Dev D” was released

Amit Trivedi, a singer and composer who has won a national award, is well known for his compositions on albums like “Dev D,” “Udaan,” “Aisha,” “No One Killed Jessica,” “English Vinglish,” and “Kai Po Che,” among many others. He just released a new album called “Songs of Trance 2 (SOT 2).” “Songs of Trance,” his previous album, was published in 2020.

The album “Songs of Trance 2” (SOT 2) has six tracks, namely “Jhoome Nain,” “Puttha Paasa,” “Bairi Birha,” “Shariyat-E-Dil,” “Fursat,” and “Jhumme Raat.” The singer-composer spoke candidly about the album and its tracks, making a name for himself in the vast world of Indian music, and other topics in an exclusive interview with Outlook. Takeaways from the conversation:

The song “Jhoome Nain” from your much awaited album “Songs of Trance 2” has been released. Tell us how the song came to be and how it was conceived.

As I previously stated, this trance album reflects a different mental state of mine. It is evident that Amit Trivedi is the inspiration behind it, but it is also a different mental state. Jhoome Nain was intended to be a bit edgy, a crazy love song between two people who had recently met, matched essentially on any app, and were enjoying a fun day out where there was a lot of masti and fun, but more lust than love. That song is sort of edgy.

Interest in your album “Songs of Trance 2” is very high. Describe the songs you have in store for us, and why did you choose the title “Songs of Trance”?

SOT, which stands for “trance again,” is a state of mind that is simply when you are lost, confused, and unsure of where you are going or what is going on. These are the kinds of songs that also evoke that feeling. For example, Bairi Birha is a song about uncertainty, and Shariyat-E-Dil is a song about how, most of the time, people lose faith in love when they have extremely difficult or bitter experiences with it.

Puttha Paasa expresses this clearly: “Don’t fall in love because things can go either way, things can go south also, toh matt pado unn chakkaron mein.” Dil nu rona nahin, varna padd jaana puttha paasa. Next up is Fursat. Fursat is a semi-classical lounge fusion song that is very easygoing and laid back. It tells the story of a wife who has been waiting for her husband for six months because he is in the navy and has been sailing. He will return after six months, possibly to fight in a war or something, and she is very excited about his arrival. However, this song has a very sensual angle to it because of their bond and chemistry, which makes it much more sensual.

The last one is Jumme Raat, a very eerie one-sided love tale that is further eerie by the fact that it took place on the eve of Friday and is known as Jumme Raat night. You’ll understand what I mean when you hear the songs, but these are the backstories.

This year, you worked with Osman Mir on “Maari Maavdi” before Navratri. What are your hopes for this one after the great success of Moti Veerana?

Likewise. How about it? We all desire the same outcome and success, and because Navratri is quickly approaching, it is exactly what we want to happen. However, Moti Veerana and Maari Maavdi are very different from one another. Moti Veerana is a joyful, celebratory song that is all about calling maa ambe and having a great time. But now, Maari Maavdi, I’m in the middle of the ocean, my boat is caught in the midst of a storm, and you, maa, are the only one who can save me, so please, get me out of this predicament. There’s a distinction between the two, as it’s a brief prayer.

You have succeeded in carving out a space for yourself in the vast field of Indian music. Tell us about a life experience that completely altered your course.

which is February 6, 2009, Dev D. Everything changed on the day when “Dev D” was launched.

Which kind of music is your favorite? Are you creating your own take on the trance genre using songs?

Undoubtedly, I’m creating my own rendition of the genre, but lately, I’ve been very into synth wave, electronic music in general, and synth wave is the journey I’m on, just for enjoyment.

And lastly, do you prefer writing music for indie songs or movies?

I’m simply happy to be doing music, that’s all.