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Swaying to shlokas
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DJ Vijay incorporates shlokas into lounge music for a soothing effect
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DIFFERENT TRACKS DJ Vijay
Darjeeling-born Vijay Arora may not be a name that is familiar to party goers. That's not in the least surprising as he is in no way like any other DJ. He is probably the only DJ, who focuses exclusively on lounge and world music. He says: "I do agree that on a Saturday you need to shake a leg, but there are times when you just want to sit back and relax with some soothing music playing in the background. That is precisely the kind of music I play."
Ask him to describe lounge music and he says: "It is sublime, but not boring. You hear it even while you are talking to your friend, but it doesn't hamper your conversation. It doesn't pound inside your head, but relaxes you and makes you feel the music. It goes hand in hand with world music, which is basically inspired by the native, folk and classical music from different cultures and countries. It could be anything from Bohemian chants to Indian ragas to Arabic rhythms."
He began his DJing career in 2001, ironically playing heavy metal and rock. But in recent months, he has been treading on a territory, which most people are wary of. He is incorporating traditional shlokas into lounge music. "We have artistes who use Arabic prayers and Buddhist chants. I do not see the reason why Indian traditional teachings should not be incorporated into contemporary world music," he says.
And he doesn't foresee any threat by the "culture police". " My listeners are supportive of me when I play shloka tracks. I have even created a new track called Sumathi, where I have set a Sanskrit shloka against world music beats. The culture policemen interfere only if you impose something forcibly. Here, I am only enlightening listeners, and leaving the choice to them to oppose or accept me," says Vijay.
A. VISHNU
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