The best part about the Patna audience is that it’s rooted to its culture

Brothers and composers Salim-Sulaiman share their experience of performing for the first time in Patna, and how a live performance is any day better than singing or composing
It was composers’ Salim and Sulaiman’s first time in Patna when they performed here during the Bihar Diwas, and they were more than happy with the Patna audience. “It was really nice to see such a large turnout at the performance.The best part about the audience of Patna is that they are deeply rooted to their culture, traditions and music. We felt overwhelmed with the response of the audience when we sang our songs, especially Chak De India, Dance Pe Chance and Ainvayi Ainvayi. We saw the people singing along with us. It was because of the love of audience and their zeal that we extended our performance beyond the official closing time,” says Salim.
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BEING INSTRUMENTAL
What caught the fancy of the Patna audience was the rather unique instrument that Sulaiman played during the concert. Telling us more about it, he says, “It is known as the Zen Drum. It is a rare and complicated electronic instrument, which is connected to my laptop. Through that, I can play the tabla, drums, dhols and other musical instruments,” says Sulaiman.

GOING GAGA
The duo recently collaborated with international pop artist Lady Gaga for an Indian version of her song Born This Way. Telling us about their experience, Sulaiman says, “It was a great experience working with her. The song we did was called Born This Way. We didn’t actually know the song when we were approached for it. We googled it and realised that it was topping the charts in 26 countries for almost 14 weeks. They wanted us to do an Indian version which would act as a bridge to fill the gap between the Indian and Western palette. Initially, we did feel the pressure because it was a big song.”
BEING A MENTOR
Salim mentored Patna-born composer Shashi Suman in Indian Idol, and shared the stage with him in Patna at the concert. “It was great to share the stage with him. He came to me after the show for my blessings. I have sung a song for Shashi and his partner Shivam in Mary Kom, for which they composed the music. Mujhe bahut achha lagta hai jab woh bachche jo humaare saamne badhe huye hain, seekhe hain aaj itna achha kaam kar rahe hain,” shares Salim.
LIVE WIRE!
Though the Merchant brothers are singers as well as composers, it’s the latter which appeals to them more. “We love composing because it gives the same satisfaction as that of being a new parent. Jab poori duniya Chak De India gaati hai, toh humaara seena chaura ho jaata hai kyunki woh gaana humne banaaya hai. But now, beyond singing and composing is another big thing, that is performing live. It connects you directly with the audience. We have performed almost all over the world, and the emotions that we, as well as the audience feels during a live concert, are amazing. We have seen people dancing, crying and singing with us. It gives a powerful feeling of being connected with your music, which is unbeatable,” shares Sulaiman.
IN THE PIPELINE
Telling us about their upcoming projects, Salim says, “We have composed the music for a movie Wedding Pulao, directed by Vinod Pradhan, which will be releasing soon. We are also doing the music for Gangajal 2 and also for a movie called Un-Indian in which Australian cricketer Brett Lee is playing the lead role. Apart from this, we have done a musical play called Beyond Bollywood which will be releasing directly in London, and will be replacing the musical Cats.”
Listen to songs of ​Salim -Sulaiman on Gaana.com
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