A traditionalist to the core
Neena Sharma
Tribune News Service
Dehradun, August 31
Memories of his childhood often resurface in the lyrics that he pens for Hindi films; the bitter competition of the Mumbai filmdom has not erased these.
Prasoon JoshiIt is with the great intensity that lyricist and ad man Prasoon Joshi responds to issues that he feels are in the interest of the state and its culture, still worried about the smells and sights of small towns that he feels be preserved and protected.
Here in Doon to receive the prestigious Shalinder Samman, Joshi emphasised on the need to preserve Uttarakhand’s innocence.
Favouring selective entry for producers keen to shoot in the state, Joshi feels that in order to preserve the beauty of the state, certain places need to be kept out of bounds.
“I am in favour of restrictive entry. The innocence of a small town will be lost forever if crew from Mumbai was to descend there; it would be blatant interference in the the daily life of our people and their traditions,” he says.
Quick to admit that it was his songs that brought him popularity, he says: “Though I started writing poems at age 17, it was only when these were set to music that people started noticing my works.
I did not approach people for work but after my first work with Shuba Mudgal ‘Ab ke baras,’ things took an altogether different turn,” He said.
Joshi believes that a demanding audience can bring in the best in people and force producers and lyricists to come out with good work. “At times I am surprised at the utter lack of awareness that the media displays while evaluating a piece of work. One has to remember that nothing in art can be black or white,” says Joshi.
Calling for an art institute in Uttarakhand that can hone the talent of young artistes, Joshi says: “It can do wonders to aspirants as there is no dearth of work for talented artists, but right attitude and training is a must.”
Having built a rapport with the likes of AR Rehman and Aamir Khan, he says: “I believe that relationships have to be built beyond work; a dialogue has to be struck some-where and it is sure to see you through turbulent times.”
On his association with the Rural Entrepreneurship in Art and Cultural Heritage (REACH) that plans to rope him in as brand ambassador, Joshi says he is willing to work in any manner provided due respect is accorded to state culture and heritage.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090901/dplus.htm