16 December 2021

03. Dr. Salil Latay – What do I do as a Singer/Performer and What is Vocal Sonata?

Dr. Salil Latay – What do I do as a Singer/Performer and What is Vocal Sonata?


Dr. Salil Latay – The Singer, Dr. Salil Latay – The creator of Vocal Sonata...Read here about it.




1. What do I do as a Singer/Stage Performer?


Despite my multifaceted or multitasking musical personality that the audience see and hear on the stage or studio, I am basically a Singer. A Singer with a serious voice, that is more predominant on the base or baritone side. Using the pluses and minuses of my persona and personality, I have been singing on the stage since the age of 5, and have made this my full time profession since October 2003.


Always a solo performer on stage right from day one, I formulated my own production banner, my own products, my own team, my own working methodology – creation, marketing, presenting – all in one – A one man army or one man organisation - where others work with me on per concert/recording basis. Apart from my own solo concerts, I have also worked as a Guest Singer with various other Producers and their teams and orchestra ensembles.


I present songs – songs created and sung originally by others most of the time as well as my own compositions sometime. Each of the song that I present has to represent or match or gel with my voice type, my mental and physical personality. I have always sung songs that have suited me and those in which I could believe – that they could be a part of my real life. Songs I could personally identify with. So each song I have been singing till date is actually an audio representation of me – Dr. Salil Latay – the person. It is not a typical cover version of a song but my exclusive version of the great creation – a tribute to all the creators whom I have regarded as my Gurus in music and life.


I have certain set principles and choices in my own life and I have been absolutely firm in using these in my presentations. This over a period of time has created my brand of singing. It is a brand which is absolutely different from the general run of the mill presentations and concert singing that goes on all around.


Such kind of uniqueness in singing is clearly dependent on two very important factors which have been the backbone of my journey so far. The first and utmost important is – The Poetry in the song. The words have to be ‘me’. There is no alternative to that. I have sung every song with the conviction (originally sung by others for a film or an album) as if it is my own song and the Composer had called me to sing the original version. This has led to two things. My each song has a unique touch of my presentation and has become my hallmark that is distinctly different from the original and secondly – the organisers and audiences clearly know – what to expect and what not to expect from my singing and also the concert. There is a strict ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ to things in songs - accepted by my gracious organisers and audience. I consider it a great achievement for someone who is a first generation entrepreneur of such a venture.

 


One of the greatest appreciation till date


2. Vocal Sonata – My creation of a new format of music presentation.


The Second Factor - continued from the previous part of this article is – my presentation style. One can call it my musical ensemble or orchestra to support this style. Over the years I have experimented a lot with this. Minimum dependency or self sufficiency and maximum output has been the mantra of my life.


In May 2017, I discovered the most unique presentation format till date which is completely solitary in the full sense of the term. It is a real, live one artist on stage presentation format. A Singer along with his Piano on the Synthesizer singing soft – Easy Listening songs in Hindustani. A real trip of melody. I named it Vocal Sonata.




Sonata – a term derived from Western Classical Music, where music pieces are written specifically for one single instrument on stage, especially the Pianoforte or Piano. I am doing the same here. The Piano in the Synthesizer or Electronic Musical Keyboard is the only instrument on stage. With my self-taught unorthodox style of playing, I have developed a feel or sense of rhythm along with my playing the melody – all happening in real time. No Karaoke or any assisted software or Laptop or Application on the Mobile phone, Tablet or Microphone. I sing along with this – in total coordination, giving it a soothing, rich, melodious feel – where words are supreme, the voice is a carrier and music is the support creating an impact far beyond the capacity of words to describe. The actual concert performance area required for a full concert is just 6 Feet × 6 Feet. I repeat...6 by 6 = 36 Square Feet! That's it. I could say - that's the entire ground area or playing field like in sports...The audience seating can be as small and large as one wishes! So right from the Seating or Drawing Room of a Home to Open Air Stadiums and Arenas along with TV Studios to every other venue option thinkable in between - This is as easy, simple and practical that it can get. A music concert just can't get any better than this! Organiser and Audience friendly to the tee - easiest to organise, publicise, market, sell and enjoy. The best description would be – Seen and heard to be believed!


I call it Vocal Sonata. Sonata with Vocal Music.  My true calling for my Mission of Melody and so my concert is called Dr. Salil Latay – In Concert – Vocal Sonata – The Solo Concert.


3. Conclusion


In all humility I wish to state here that I am probably the only one in the whole world who is presenting this as a full time professional, commercial activity. I also claim to be the creator of this new unique music genre of Sukoonbhare Nagme and the creator of the format of Vocal Sonata.


4. Want to see and hear what is Vocal Sonata with Sukoonbhare Nagme?


Here are 2 Promos of my concert. Click on these links and enjoy. Do write your views.


Vocal Sonata - Promo 1. Duration 3.30 min.




Vocal Sonata - Promo 2. Duration 3.58 min.







P.S. Does the surname Reshammiya ring some bells?...That's absolutely right...Vipinbhai Reshammiya happens to the father of the famous Bollywood Composer Himesh Reshammiyya. Mr. Reshammiya Sr. has been an acclaimed Musician and Composer - the first generation of musicians in India to play electronic instruments in Hindustani Film Music.

 


- Dr. Salil Latay
Pune, India
16 December 2021, Thursday

02 December 2021

02. Dr. Salil Latay – My Kind of Music...

 Dr. Salil Latay – My Kind of Music...


Every Professional Singer and a Full Time Performing Artist has a special niche in the kind of music one is presenting. In this post, allow me to introduce you to the Genre or Specialisation of Indian Light Vocal Music I am associated with...



1. What is my genre?

The genre in which I sing, perform and compose is called Sukoonbhare Nagme (Giving the listeners – Peace of mind known as Sukoon and uplifting their spirits), the Indian equivalent of Easy Listening Music in English. This comprises of songs – where lyrics reign supreme. It is basically the presentation of meaningful poetry in a simple music format, so as to maintain the sanctity of words. This could be a Ghazal, a Nazm, a Light Ghazal (Not too classical based), a Film based Soft Romantic song, a Non Film Album based song, a TV serial based song, a song from a Drama, a Devotional, Spiritual, Philosophical song and even a Patriotic, Social or Motivational song along with my own musically composed creations. Listening to a creation by moving away and above the preconceived notions of do and don'ts existing genres is the mandatory requisite of this genre of Sukoonbhare Nagme.

This genre requires the audience seating quietly and listening to songs which are mostly in a slow pace to emphasise the depth of the words. Rarely a song could be a bit foot tapping too, but the underlying aspect of prime importance is meaningful lyrics and not just blindly dancing to the rhythm without any idea about heads or tails of what is being conveyed in the lyrics.

This genre has no language barrier. I personally sing in the language of Hindustani - The real official language of the Indian subcontinent. The term coined by Amir Khusro (Musician, Poet and Scholar) in the 13th century, stating that Hindustani is the mixture of Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian. This term was in vogue for many centuries till a few years ago, the terms Hindi and Urdu started getting prominence. I personally subscribe to the term coined by the Scholar Amir Khusro. Though colloquially most would describe my presentation today to be in Hindi.

 

2. What is the audience of this genre?

My singing has always resonated with the audience of the age group of 30+ and beyond. Midlife to Senior Citizens are the correct target, where my mission – in its thoughts, vision, premise have struck the right chord right from day one of my career.

The geographical location of this target audience has also played an important part. My ideologies about music and life have been shaped by two major aspects. First – a holistic worldwide view in my upbringing with music and Secondly – the unique mix of both urban and semi urban background in my growing up as a person. Hence my music, my voice, my concerts represent the sprawling urban India of today and beyond. I categorically wish to state that I represent the culture of urbanisation of India in recent times. A transition from semi urban to urban in culture and ethos. I represent the real India of today – urbane, young old exploring the world, still rooted to its true values, cultural milieu and ethos through customs and traditions. My music represents this Rising India – Indian in ethos, but global in outlook! I represent the aspirations and agonies of the Urban Folk Culture of a growing India.

So 30+ aged audience from urban and semi urban setting - elite, educated from the creamy layers of the society – the real driving force of the society and nation – by their expertise, vision, education and trade are the best listeners, appreciators and connoisseurs of my choice of songs and presentation. My Music caters to the classes – Indians in every part of the globe.

 

3. In Conclusion

Sukoonbhare Nagme is the genre I represent.

 

4. See for yourself

What I mean by all that written here in this post? Click this link and explore all the videos. Enjoy Sukoon till we meet in person at my concert soon!

The YouTube Channel of Dr. Salil Latay



Dr. Salil L
atay
Pune, India
02 December 2021, Thursday