Joi Barua: Singing happened over two fried eggs

Assamese rock musician Joi Barua talks about creating Dusokute which went on feature in the film 'Margarita With A Straw.'
How did Dusokute happen?
I had written an Assamese rock song Dusoku years back in the wee hours of the morning in my hometown. It was an ode to running, done in a breezy style. I wanted the listener to feel the inertia kicking in right from the start and a sense of motion that carried throughout... almost like running, or biking. It caught on in the indie rock circuit.I am grateful to musicians like Vishal Dadlani and Raghu Dixit for sharing it on social media. It reached Shonali Bose's ears (director of Margarita With A Straw) through a friend.
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It struck a chord with her and she thought it was perfect for conveying the optimism and hope that the characters in the movie are going through. Dusokute is Assamese for 'in your eyes'. So, a song about running eventually became a rock anthem in a Hindi film. Shonali kept the tune and brought Prasoon Joshi on board to write the Hindi lyrics. I was unsure about retaining the word 'Dusokute' but he insisted it would be catchy, explaining how Masakali was a term that didn't exist until he coined it for a song in Delhi 6. His decision turned out to be wise.
How did music happen?
I was born and brought up in Digboi and moved to Delhi after my schooling. My family moved to Jorhat when I was in primary school. When I was seven, my sister literally pushed me to participate in a singing competition. She taught me Cliff Richard's Bachelor Boy over breakfast, so singing happened over two fried eggs. She was doing something right, since to everyone's surprise, I won the contest. I was once called to sing on stage at a school assembly. The school principal, Sister Mabilia, understood my passion for music and took me under her wing. She became my mentor, always encouraging me to sing and be on stage.
I have never taken formal lessons in music. I learnt instruments by ear. My father had a day job, and used to play the violin for hours after coming home every evening. I picked up the violin watching him play when I was three years old. I taught myself the guitar in my teens. At home, my cousin Piku and I would sing to The Beatles, The Eagles, Simon and Garfunkel, U2. In those days, there was no internet access. I remember asking my parents to buy me a walkman so I could listen to these CDs. They bought me a bongo instead and it turned out to be a blessing for me.
I passed out St Anthony's College in Shillong, and later attended Gauhati Commerce College for graduation. I was singing in English and Assamese but didn't know how to make a career out of it. I couldn't relate to Bollywood music of that time, so I didn't know if I would have a place in it.
When Dil Chahta Hai released in 2001, it was a sign of hope for musicians like me. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy had created music for a Bollywood film like I'd never heard before. My friend Zubeen Garg (Bollywood playback singer from Assam) invited me to Mumbai. I landed here 10 years ago, and am still here! Zubeen introduced me to arranger/programmer Jatin Sharma and I got started singing and doing jingles for people, including Amit Trivedi and Bobo who I count as close friends.
Amit brought me on to sing for Udaan and Dev D. After being inspired by their music, it was also an honour to sing Dil Dhadakne Do for Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy on Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.
You are closely connected to the Assamese language...
When I recorded my rock album in Assamese back in 2010, people told me I was being stupid. Their explanation was that no one has done this before. But I went ahead with it anyway. It's the language I grew up speaking and am proud of. I want more and more people to hear it even if they don't understand it fully. Music transcends languages and barriers, so why not?
What's coming up next?
I am excited about composing the entire soundtrack and background score of John Abraham's upcoming film, being directed by Sajid Ali. I am also collaborating with two South African musician on an album for my band Joi (comprising Pawan Rasaily, Manas Chowdhary, Ibson Lal Baruah, Partha Goswami and Abani Tanti). Now that I am relatively free, I plan to do more live concerts.
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Listen to Joi Barua songs on Gaana.com
WATCH: Dusokute - Margarita With A Straw | Joi Barua