An inspiring kahani

Mona

Sagar Bhatia has struggled his way through to get his band, The Soul, the identity he aimed at. Average in studies, he had to move school as he couldn’t get the fee concession when in class VI. And then, he went back to the same school, DAV, Mausam Vihar, to shoot his first video Teri Meri Kahani. And, this time they didn’t just open up their gates but provided all the paraphernalia required for the shoot.

“It was kind of nice to get back to my school uniform that I had to give up for we couldn’t afford it,” opens Sagar, in Chandigarh, on Friday to launch his single!

The struggle did not stop this self-taught musician and rather than opting for a nine-to-five job, he chose to make his passion his profession and that has paid rich dividends. “I never enjoyed school except for that single music class in the entire week that I wouldn’t miss at any cost.”

In order to keep playing music, he finished his graduation so that he could teach music in school. Alongside, he learned guitar, joined a band and there began a journey he is totally proud of.

Few gigs here and there, Sagar learnt his craft on stage. “When I started as a guitarist in the band, I was happy, but what I didn’t enjoy was that I wasn’t able to reach out to the people,”

The change from guitarist to lead vocalist didn’t come easy but Sagar is not the man to sit and stare at his dreams. “You know as soon as I realise one of my dreams, I pick up the next one. Not like I leave things I have learnt along the way behind but to keep moving is my mantra.”

India’s Raw Star, where Sagar reached the top six, earned him the title of Tsunami for his power-packed acts. And, it taught him patience. “See, my audience have been my teachers. When lakhs of people watch you, not all of them like your act. I learnt most from my critics, it may have taken me five or six weeks or months but I keep working for it’s the people whom I have to win.”

Now that his band The Soul is in place, his single out, Delhi is home to him and his craft. His studio Right Note is the place where he jams regularly with his band and also mixes sound for others, it’s the desire to compose something fresh at frequent intervals and win people with his lyrics, signing, music – and be a complete entertainer that he dreams of. Amen!

[email protected]

The first time 

As Sagar Bhatia got delayed for the scheduled interaction, Vipul Dua, owner Peddlers, got talking about his meteoric rise. 

“It was 2011 that he was staying with us and on a weekend night he asked to take on the stage. My manager asked if we should take the chance we had an audience of 100-150 at that time. He picked up the mic and after one song, he was out. Would you believe the entire crowd went out with him, curious to know who he is! He came back and was on stage for two hours straight. 

“That was the night I found myself,” Sagar joins in. “Chandigarh is special as I got my first break here. It is here I got love and approval of music lovers.” Happy to launch his single at Peddlers on Saturday night, Sagar is getting his fans another video by the month end, a Sufi rap and collaboration with Bohemia is on the anvil too…