Art and Culture

I am never tired listening to music: Jeet Amole

by IBNS 10 Jul 2016, 01:35 pm

Jeet Amole is the winner of the 2015 edition of Zee Awaz of Madhya Pradesh. Hailing from a humble household, he is earmarked by industry veterans as a special talent. In an interview with IBNS correspondent Sudipto Maity, he opens up about life post the talent hunt competition win.

How did it all start?

I started training at the age of eight. You know, I would casually sing and my parents were very supportive. They love listening to songs though they themselves cannot sing. My father is a tailor and he would play these songs on the stereo all day long while working and I guess I picked it up from there.

Who did you train under?

I trained under my Guruji, (places a hand on his ear as a mark of respect) Guru Jiten Rajwanshi ji.

Do you do anything else apart from music? Are you into sports?

I have a lot of other interests but I’m so busy with music that I barely get time to do anything else.

When did you feel that music was the thing for you?

I think it was 2010. I was young then and participated in this contest which I eventually won. The amazing part was that some of the contestants were people I had literally grown up watching and admiring. Though I had trained for it for a year, I was scared to take them on but with my Guruji’s blessings I did participate and… from then on I train every day. The win also gave me added confidence. I felt that I could take this seriously and move forward.


Does anything scare you now?

No, (smiles and points to Santoor maestro Pt Tarun Bhattacharya, his other Guru) Guruji is with me. It’s only because of him that I can rub shoulders with the best in the industry today; I can present my songs in front of renowned people. In fact I was lucky enough to meet and sing in front of Girija Devi ji. She loved it and blessed me, all because of Guruji.

What’s in store for you?

As of now we have plans of touring the Netherlands and America, sometime in September or early October.

You also won the Zee Awaz of Madhya Pradesh. Share your experience.

Yes I did. It was a great feeling. The three judges, Ranjit Rajwada Ji, Shreyasi Chakraborty Ji and Palak Muchhal ji also presented me with a special award. I have also been offered a song by Palash Muchhal for his next film. Perhaps the greatest joy was when I was invited in the CM house where our chief minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan ji felicitated me the very next day. He was scheduled to attend the finals but something came up and so he could not attend the event.  

How did your parents react post your win?

They were very happy. My parents, my sisters, everyone. They pictured me there in their dreams but when I did it for real, it was a thing to savour for the entire household.

How was your experience of singing in front of your idol Palak Muchhal?

It was an extraordinary feeling. She hails from Madhya Pradesh too and I have been listening to her ever since my childhood. I always wanted to be like her. I had no clue that I would get to perform in front of her, but I was given a chance by Zee and I want to thank them too. Overall, it felt really satisfying.

How did you come in contact with Pt Tarun Bhattacharya

I met Guruji about five years ago in a competition, Bharat Sanskriti Utsav, which took place in Bardhaman. He was judging that competition. To be honest, this feels unreal. I never thought I would make it this far, take lessons from him. After the competition we kept in touch and slowly I started taking lessons in classical music from him. He has really inspired me and now I’m learning the Santoor from him (laughs).

How’s life post Zee Awaz of Madhya Pradesh win?

Life’s good. Actually keeping me busy and the responsibilities have increased after the win. I always try and maintain a balance now. I know a lot of people who win a competition and give up on the lessons, but that’s not my case. Money and fame will come but I want to learn and keep on learning and improving myself every day. I am a bit keen about light classical music, Sufi music and ghazals.

Who among the current crop of Bollywood singers is your favourite?

I like Arijit Singh ji a lot and Shreya Ghoshal too.

 
Do you get tired with all these recognition and shows that you are doing these days?

Not at all. In fact, if that’s the case, I would want more things to come my way. Look, I’m a musician and how can you ever get tired listening to music.     


Images by Subhodeep Sardar