‘Everything is but common sense’

Mona

Being honest and simple is Ankur Tewari’s only principle in life, yet most of all that he has achieved started with a lie. “I know that,” is how he got to cut his first film, sing professionally or write. But then he made sure before finishing each assignment that he ‘knew’ what he had undertaken. “Everything is but common sense; if there is something technical, enlist the help of those who know and you are sorted,” shares this vocalist in the band Ankur & The Ghalat Family in Chandigarh on Tuesday.

Hands full

Trained in hospitality, this son of IIT Roorkee academicians picked up music in school and college, and gigs earned him a handsome amount. Till he moved to Mumbai! “Couldn’t survive the first time,” he candidly admits. Later, he made a home in Delhi; directing, singing and writing. His second stint, however, has been fruitful. Our man has directed six short films for Y Films and due to pen a web-series.

Band wagon

A self taught musician, Ankur always wanted to sing in a band — bunch of guys enjoying their time travelling and performing live — and Ankur & the Ghalat family was born. Their first album Jannat fetched them their share of admirers and it’s now after 10 years that band is gearing up to release their second album called Side A/ Side B. “We got so busy performing live that we forgot to record our numbers,” he mention casually and reveals as much that the album will have songs on love, against violence and strange things like people not replying on whatsapp.

Lucky beard

Bearded look is what Ankur has supported for the last six years and this was no fashion choice. “I had no money to shave and as I grew a beard, suddenly my cheques started arriving on time; people started taking me more seriously so here it stays.”

Standing tall

As a writer, lyricist Ankur is all for self-censorship. “Vulgar lyrics have always been there, it’s only now they have started to enjoy so much attention. Don’t like them, don’t pay heed,” is what he advocates. And what when Udta Punjab bears the wrath of the censor board? “Everything is not about Friday collections; if they believe in what they have made, stand by it, they might not be able to release it but then they would have created the art that stays.”

Independent thought

Ankur’s Chandigarh trip is for Signature start-up Masterclass. “I really appreciate the move wherein people can actually know and interact with the artiste. It is especially nice for independent musicians like us for they speak from their journey; no commercial axes to grind here.”

Long innings

Right after his last gig, off is this rather candid (men are stupid he says with a straight face) artiste to Madrid and Paris; some music fests on his itinerary for its on field that he learns! His teachers have been Colonel Kapoor, Bobby Bedi and Shekhar Kapur, who do not teach in a preachy manner but lead by example. “Any artiste is my mentor; from each I learn how to conduct myself on stage.” A huge fan of cricket he has adapted the principle of one ball at a time to a day at a time to play one solid long innings!

mona@tribunemail.com