Exploring the world of Graphic Designs with Harshvardhan Singh/Discovering Ragas and Swaras with Jelin Anand

Exploring the world of Graphic Designs with Harshvardhan Singh

1. What first inspired you to get into Digital Art?

To get into Digital Art, I initially started like how every other kid does, with a paintbrush and random colors. A lot of inspiration came from movies and shows I grew up watching, this may sound a little weird but Aamir Khan’s 2007 film Taare Zameen Par worked like quite an inspiration for me. I remember watching it on Christmas and getting pad and poster colors to become the next Ishaan Awasthi. Moreover, I grew up watching art shows like Art Attack, M.A.D and I was always intrigued watching Harun Robert or Gaurav Juyal. It was more than fascinating for me to look at those huge art pieces on a small TV screen thinking about how they do it, that idea always intrigued me. I drew my inspiration from these people as they were the only artists I knew as a kid, way before I discovered Picasso and Van Gogh. Post to 2011 I used to spend most of my time browsing forums on the internet, where people with an anonymous identity got into discussions and debates, and the only thing separating one another was their signature (A signature is an art piece that differentiates you from another user, it’s at the bottom of your content). That was the time I had installed Photoshop and Cinema4D and started learning Digital Art back then from YouTube with a dead buffering speed which took 20-30mins to render a video. I remember my PC used to give up at times rendering the images on C4D and I had first learned to make a 3D render of my name. (first, render included in the folder). After that, there was no turning back!

2. What art styles do you dabble in and what has been your favourite one so far? 

I don’t really have a style, I make what I feel like and I experiment with a lot of different styles and there is no process to it either. Mostly my art has been a portrayal of my conscious and subconscious thoughts, and to pick a favorite is a tough job. 

3. What ideas do your pieces reflect and what do you want your audience to take away from it?
   
   Ideas are all I have, and I never really thought about it from the audience’s perspective. My logo, which is  an eye, means perspective. What may appear 6 to me might appear 9 to them. The prime objective is that  there are different perspectives to many things and art is just one of them for me. It’s the audience’s job to interpret however they want to. I just give them the art to interpret or to introspect about; interpretations are often an observation to our own thoughts.

4. What was your favourite part about working with brands? How did you ensure that you retained your individuality along with fulfilling your client’s requirements? 

Honestly, the paycheck. Kidding! The most fun and favorite part while working for brands was the teamwork and understanding of how the whole system works. I learned a lot when I was freelancing with a Singapore-based brand and it surely was one of my most fun working experiences to date. My ideas made sure that my work sold itself to brands, so it wasn’t really an issue retaining my individuality.

5. Any last words that you want our readers to know? 

I believe everyone, and everything is art. You, me, this mobile phone/computer screen you’re reading this on, is a piece of many ideas and thoughts behind it. To bring those ideas and thoughts into existence is art in itself. We all are made up of different experiences, thoughts, and none of the two people are the same. In that aspect, you’re a piece of art and everything depends on your perspective.
I don’t have anything that I want the readers to take away but just a request to start art. Whether it’s giving a shape to your thoughts in the form of stories, poems, painting, singing, playing an instrument, or just random activities like scribbling on a piece of paper; literally anything is done with artistic intent, Just do it. It’s one of the most relaxing things you can do for yourself.
Art creates ideas.

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Discovering Ragas and Swaras with Jelin Anand

1. How did your inclination towards music first start? Was it conditioned or was it your natural choice?

I was 6 when my mother enrolled me in music classes and pretty soon, I found myself going there every alternate day of the week. Now, here’s an interesting thing. Neither I nor my mother had ever given it a thought before a couple of doctors advised my mother to sign me up for vocal coaching. That is when my journey with Hindustani classical music began – it has been 14 years since then, and if it hadn’t been for my teacher and my mother, I wouldn’t be where I am today. 

2. What elements of classical music intrigue you the most and what is unique about it?

Indian classical music, I believe, is the greatest of all genres. The emotions, the feelings that sweep over you while you perform this genre are indescribable – it’s almost as if you feel one with nature, the ultimate creator.
We have these compositions which we call Raga/Ragam. Now Ragas are said to have a natural existence – artists don’t invent them, they only discover them; they are hidden harmonies of nature. Isn’t that fascinating?
These Ragas have been divided into sets based on time (prahar) and season. Every raga is intended to be sung at a specific ‘prahar’. It is said that performing a particular raga at a particular time enhances its aesthetic effects. Let’s say, it’s monsoon and it’s pouring outside, a classical vocalist might choose to perform ‘Miyan ki malhar’ – a raga that captures the essence of the season and it amazes me how the people behind these shastras knew exactly what group of swaras depict a particular emotion. 

Thus, a classical singer strives to make you ‘feel’ what you’re looking at, literally capturing a sight in swaras. 

3. Do you have any favourite piece which you keep visiting? What about it makes it so special to you?

It definitely has to be Raag Jog. Now, Jog literally means connection/connecting. The word is derived from the Sanskrit word yoga which stands for connection – a connection of your body and your soul – of your soul and the cosmos. 

I come back to this Raag whenever I feel like I’m losing touch with my surroundings, my emotions, and myself. In times of distress, I’ve often found myself humming along to the swaras of this raga, such is my bond with it. I say I sing this raga when seeking a connection, a Jog, with myself and the consciousness. 

4. You are pursuing masters in Hindustani Music. After all this time, does it feel like you have discovered all that there is to know about it?

All there is to know about it? Even though it has been more than 14 years, I still feel like I’ve just begun. An entire lifetime won’t be enough to know it all and I will try to learn as much as I can till my very last breath.

5. Do you think everyone should promote classical music? Please feel free to also leave us some recommendations. 

Oh yes, of course! In an era where songs with tacky lyrics and videos are a hot topic, I’m rather proud of my generation for supporting and promoting classical music and musicians across various social media platforms, making sure that the art form is not dying. Everyone is making an effort in their own way which I believe is important.
Now, I can’t plant a tree and expect my parents to water it and take care of it if I want it to survive! I’ll have to learn how to take care of it and then will have to pass it on to my offspring, else, the tree will perish. The same is the case with art forms too.

I’ve often come across youngsters who assume that classical music is boring. I do understand that classical music is not everybody’s cup of tea but I’d urge people to give it a try, because if we don’t, then who will? 

Here are some of my favorite tracks, feel free to check them out- 

–B Aishwarya Lalitha

SY Bsc Economics