So this is curtains for the fourth and biggest season of Musical-e-Azam yet. And today, we featured Salim Suleiman, two chilled-out dudes of our industry, who come from a background of musical instruments, as their father used to manufacture instruments and supply them to our illustrious artists in the film and music industry. The brothers, who unfortunately lost their father when they were in their early 20’s, are musicians in the true sense.
They perform in so many live gigs all over Mumbai without any pomp and show, as they believe music itself is bigger than the creators.
In fact they had travelled the world with their gigs and realized there was not a single CD that had the folk sound of India, while there was folk of South Africa, South America, Australia etcetera. So, while they were travelling across the length and breadth of India, they picked up many musical sounds, instruments and ‘dhunns’ that they put into one album, Bhoomi, and are proud to have post-produced it in Peter Cabriel’s studio in London.
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They happened to get their first break in Maya Memsaab, where Salim had to give music for the love making scene between Deepa and SRK. Salim says he didn’t know where to look, coz he was just 16, but Ketan left him alone in the studio to think about what he wanted to create . . . and Deepa was in there as well. It surely was an experience that helped him grow up to how to make a score for a film background In fact Bhoot won them the best background score.
They say 90% of the times their prediction while they are creating the background score about whether a film will be a hit or a flop, is absolutely right, and with Band Baaja Baaraat they are sure “picture chalegii!” For all of us who can’t connect with Ranveer Singh (not to be confused with Ranbir Kapoor) , Salim Suleiman say he is promising and shows tremendous charisma towards the middle of the film.
What’s interesting is that despite Salim not being a singer, other composers call him to sing. For Wake Up Sid, Amit Trivedi too wanted Salim to sing.
Actually, Salim believes that you have to have a good ‘neeyat’ to be able to sing well. That’s what he credits for his good soulful singing skills. Salim was happiest when he knew that he shares his birthday with Shankar Mahadevan. For the last three years, they share their birthday together in Salim’s home — call as many friends as possible from the music industry and jam. They are extremely happy to be associated with Zakir Hussain and perform with him extensively!
Suleiman is like the big brother and big daddy of the two, he composes with Salim and then Salim’s voice adds the zing. Often, singers tell Salim, “Why don’t you use your voice instead of replacing it with mine?”
The reason they rock is because they are such nice people who literally live in the moment for the love of music. And many of their songs are anthems for sport, or hope, or zest for life. Like Yeh Hausla from Dor, Chak De from Chak De India, and recently, Chance Pe Dance. The brothers deserve a pat on the back for the fantastic and varied kind of music they have given us! May the musical merchants always be at play, and make us sway thanks to their love for music.
Hmmmm… end of Season 4 of MeA. I’m feeling low, but I know there’s lot more where that came from! But seriously, it was great connecting with you through this column, and I want to thank RadioAndMusic.com for the opportunity. Keep in touch – I’m on Kasa Kai Mumbai, weekday mornings, on Radio City 🙂
