HAT makes Michael Jackson, Madonna, George Michael and Bryan Adams so dear to their fans? Not only are they brilliant singers but they are terrific performers also. Their live wire performances mesmerise concert-goers, making them cry, sing and laugh.The concert culture is yet to pick up in India. Of course, most wannabe Indi-pop stars are unable to move the audience with their rhythm. Now, there is a new star on the horizon, who, fans and critics alike, are hailing as an electrifying performer. Ashok Mastie, indeed, stands apart in the world of Indian pop stars, who depend solely on their videos to catapult them to fame.
Mastie has given many solo performances in different parts of the country. Invited regularly for performances abroad, Mastie easily changes tack, switching from traditional Punjabi folk music to Indi-pop or Hindi film songs, to suit the mood and cultural background of his audiences.
In an exclusive interview at his Mayur Vihar residence, Ashok says he was christened Ashok Mastie by the audience as all his shows are pulsating with energy. ``My original name is Ashok Sachdev,’’ he disclosed. A trained singer, Ashok steals a march over others by delivering throbbing performances on the stage. He enthrals the audience with his boundless energy and is able to involve the spectators in his show. His debut Punjabi music album, “Munde Vikao Ne”, was a notable release. Mastie has now been launched by Times Music, his latest album being "Yeh Hai Masti", which was a massive success.
“Yeh Hai Mastie” is a Punjabi folk album. It contains 8 songs, which capture different flavours of life in Punjab. From fast-track numbers like “Wah Bhai Wah” (the music is already on the air) and “Hello Hai Kardi” to a slow number “Roti Piche”, which evokes the emotions of expatriates, the album has something for everyone. He adds: “What makes this album special is that despite having an element of fun, there has been no compromise on the lyrics.”
About his early days, Masti says, “Like many other singers from Punjab, I too have drawn inspiration from the success of Gurdas Mann (both hail from Gidderbaha).”
“The initial days were tough. There was lot of family pressure. With nothing much happening in my town, I decided to shift to Chandigarh. A friend of mine sent me over to a theatre group for a job. Of course, nobody was ready to hire a singer. But since I had done theatre during my college days, it helped me adjust with the group. Apart from looking after the lights and bhangra props, I also acted in plays. I also travelled all over Punjab. This theatre experience, I guess, helps me perform better in front of the audience”, he says.
He recently sang for a feature film, “Laado”'. “Laado” is the first Haryanavi feature film made in collaboration with NDFC and shot on 35 mm cinemascope. Directed by Mr Ashwani Choudhry, the title song has been picturised on Ashok Mastie. The audio is being released by Venus. This film has been given a ‘National Award’.
His latest album “Masti Masti” comprises eight Punjabi tracks. The music has been worked upon cleverly, so as to maintain its universal appeal. The music has been composed by Jaspal Moni and is a peppy fusion of Punjabi tunes with the electric guitar and other western instruments. The lyrics of the title track have been written by Dhruv Khanna while Sanjeev and Kuldeep Singh have authored the other numbers.
The video is set against the backdrop of a chilly winter evening in a sleepy roadside dhabba in Punjab. Mastie and his small band arrive at the dhaba after a show. The atmosphere is quiet in the beginning, but the pace picks up as the song begins and slowly Mastie and his troops make the sleepy clan come alive and join the festivities.
