WATCH: Aditya Gadhvi Sings Mahahetvali For Fans; Says 'Music Has The Power To Connect A Soul To Another Soul| FPJ Exclusive
· Free Press Journal
Aditya Gadhvi's music is one that can touch the soul, as he strongly believes that "music has the power to connect a soul to another soul."
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His music brings in raw emotions of folklore and it's the kind of tune that will transport you to the heart of Gujarat. Popularly known as Kaviraj, the singer is set to bring Navratri vibes to the city of Mumbai over the weekend with two back-to-back live-in concerts in the city; the first on April 25, and a second on April 26. This time, he promises that it will be bigger, louder and unforgettable for Mumbaikars.
"There's always excitement whenever I perform in Mumbai," he reveals in an exclusive interview with FPJ. "Mumbai has given immense love to my concerts and music. Every time we come, we get the love that we didn't expect. The preps for the concert are going on for the past few months. We try our best to make people feel the power of music, especially traditional folk. The presentation is grand so that the Gen Z loves it."
Gujarati Music Goes Beyond Garba
From performing Dayro to taking center stage with Coke Studio's Khalasi, credit goes to Aditya for making Gujarati folk music mainstream, and his songs blend folk and sufi along with modern elements.
"When I started, everyone used to sing Bollywood music," he says. "I'm also a fan of Bollywood music and have been listening to it since my childhood. I would attend music competitions where I'd sing Bollywood songs. But I come from a culture of folk music and I never thought that my music, culture, poetry and the folk tradition of my Dayro, would take me to this place."
For Aditya, performing in any place in Mumbai, especially Jio Garden, which is such an iconic venue, is such a pride. "10 years ago, when I started off on this journey, I never thought that by singing Gujarati folk music, I'd be performing in Jio Garden, Mumbai, and two of my shows will be nearly sold out. That is a big blessing."
When 'Gotilo Gotilo ... Khalasi' Became A Superhit
While many would say that Coke Studio's Khalasi was the turning point in Aditya's life, few know that two of his songs Har Har Mahadev and Aygiri Nandini were shortlisted for the Oscar nominations in 2014. "That was the starting point for me," he shares. "When I went to sing those two songs, I didn't even know I was going to sing for a movie. The music directors called me and auditioned my voice. They liked my voice and briefed me about the songs. After singing the songs, I asked them what is it for and they told me about the movie. Within 15 days, I got a call from them that our songs are shortlisted for the Oscar nomination."
As for Gotilo, Aditya had no clue that it would turn out to be such a global trend. "I thought the Gujarati public will like it, but when I opened my Instagram, I saw reels from all over the world. That was the turning point for me," he says with a smile.
'At The Age Of Four, I Used To Sing The Whole Shiv Tandav'
For him, regional is the new global. "I'm enjoying the fact that regional Indian music is reaching this platform. I feel my concert is special because in our culture, in a Dayro, we don't only sing. We also tell the story around it. That connects my music and art to a big audience. I'm glad that the younger generation is enjoying the music and the stories from our literature."
His father is a folklorist and folk singer, and his grandfather is a poet. "Four generations of our family have been in the field of literature and music," he exclaims. "At the age of four, I used to sing the whole Shiv Tandav. When people would hear me, they would be astonished. At my home, I used to listen to these folk stories and songs, and would understand each line from my father and grandfather. I am blessed to be born in a family that gave me this art, music and tradition."
In 2013, Aditya visited AR Rahman's music institute in Chennai, and he stayed and studied there for four years. That stint gave him the opportunity to work with AR Rahman in his live shows. "I used to sing with him in his Sufi shows. I performed with him all over the world, in Dubai, USA and different cities in India. That experience was one of the most amazing ones for me. I got to learn from the maestro himself."
Aditya used to just observe how AR Rahman would create melodies. "People dream to sing with or meet AR Rahman once in their life, but I got a chance to be with him in his shows and learned a lot."
Latke Halo! Aditya Gadhvi To Perform In Mumbai On April 25 & 26; Khalasi Singer Set To Welcome Mumbaikars At Jio World Garden'Two-Three Hours Of The Stage Presence Is Like Meditation For Me'
An introvert in real life, Aditya is quite a performer on stage. "People get confused when they meet me, because they tell me that when they see me on stage, I'm a different person, and backstage, I'm someone else.
"I don't know where that energy on stage comes from, but I feel people (the audience) give me that energy. The music I sing gives me that energy. Two-three hours of the stage presence is like meditation for me. I feel connected to the divine when I am on stage. When I see people enjoying the music, connected to the words and emotions I try to narrate, that's a divine experience," he adds.