Prashanta Barua
News Mania, Mumbai
From Assamese to Bangla, Hindi to Manipuri, whatever his sonorous voice sings, leaves lakhs of people mesmerized. Be it in the TV reality shows in Kolkata and in the Rangali Bihu functions in Assam, much to the delight of his fans across the country. Yes, we are talking of Tushar Arjun, the name of a promising singer from the north eastern state of Assam , who is known for his outstanding performance in music. Based in the film city of Mumbai, Tushar spares no pain to share his cheers and tears with the people in his native north east. What he sings is sweet and what he told the News Mania is equally pleasant. Here is an excerpt of the interview with Tushar Arjun by Prashanta Barua.
News Mania: What inspires you to sing so beautifully?
Tushar Arjun: Well, let me start…Music is like oxygen for me. It touches my heart indeed. My heart and soul started singing from my childhood. My interest began to grow as I kept listening to the evergreen songs of Asha Bhoshle. Most of the legends are no longer here on this planet. But they are still living in my heart.
News Mania: Tushar, how did you grow up to this level within a short spell of time.?
Tushar Arjun: Yeah, the journey from a tiny hamlet from Assam to Mumbai is challenging indeed. I had no dream. But reality has helped me reach here in Mumbai. This has,I think, become possible for my full scale involvement in music, my sincerity, my perseverance and afterall the tremendous support from my fans. I do not have so much access to public relations in this city. But I leave no stone unturned to reach out to my fans. I always want to satisfy my fans with my songs , since I sing for these people only.
News Mania: Apart from Manipuri songs, you are known for many popular Assamese, Bangla and Hindi songs. How has it become possible for you?
Tushar Arjun: I am from Assam. It’s my identity. Now I am a Mumbaikar. It’s fine for me. My mind and heart do not confine to one language only. I love people from different states with different languages and cultures. If I sing Bihu what would stop me from singing a popular Bangla lyric. You know an artist can’t remain confined to a particular state, language, literature and culture. If anything, as on date, divides, an artist unites. What I could tell more than that.
News Mania: You are a prominent singer from the North East. What forces you to base out of Mumbai now?
Tushar Arjun: It’s a good question. See, my motherland Assam has given me all. I take immense joy in these. But my duties and responsibilities do not end here. My fans, who have been immensely supporting me, have given me lots of responsibilities to help my people, their language, culture and identity to take away beyond the geographical and psychological boundaries. I need to represent the north east at the national and international level. I feel proud as I utter the words “Assam”, “North East” in the TV reality shows and in Bollywood. I take immense joy when I sing Bihu at a reality show.
News Mania: North East is often known to be a restive region. Despite this “disturbing ” tag, how do you represent the region outside?
Tushar Arjun: Yes, the region is called restive. But we need to consider the ethnic diversity of the region. Many people with colourful language and culture need to be kept in mind. These are resources , which we need to focus outside. Music is one of the initiatives to do all these. Days are not far when Assam and its other neighbouring north eastern states will be able to draw global attention.
News Mania: What is your future plan?
Tushar Arjun: I will try to get more focus in Bollywood. Since COVID19 has relented, I am working to ensure early release of Hindi works apart from the releases in the regional languages.
News Mania: We will be happy if you disclose your ongoing projects in the North East.
Tushar Arjun: It gives me immense pleasure to inform you that I am engaged in 3 new promising projects. The first one is an Assamese song Tur Eka Beka Obhiman—music by Alaap Dudul Saikia, lyric by Dulumoni Saikia and producer is Mousum Kumar Ujir. This is followed by my first Manipuri song dedicated to my die hard Manipuri fans Nangbu Ahanba. Then a Hindi work, A Zara Pass.
News Mania: Thanks a ton for being with us amid your hectic schedule.
Tushar Arjun: Thanks a ton.
Image taken from Tushar Arjun’s Profile
